MGA Forum

Moving the brake and clutch pedals away from the tunnel to give my foot more room on the accelerator. This change will make it difficult to reach the headlight dipper switch. There is a way to place the dipper switch on the dash using a momentary toggle switch and a VW relay.

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at113a.htm

There are many sources for the VW relay, but the only long handled momentary switch found is the recommend one from UK Holden. Shipping to the US for the small switch is $40. Hope for a more reasonably priced solution, just on principle. In the mean time, have purchased a normal, short handled momentary toggle switch to complete the upgrade.

Anyone know of another source for a long handled dipper switch?

Maybe try an MGB headlight column switch, with flash to pass.

Herb

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Glen,

Your not over thinking this are you? A lot of people in the past have thought that the pedals are too close and wanted to move them apart. I for one was one of these people till I started driving the car and found them no problem at all.

There's MGA drivers out there with clown feet that still have the pedals stock.

John

Hey! I resemble that remark!!

I apologize Clarabell.

how about this:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-74124

or this:
https://www.amazon.com/Moroso-74124-Toggle-Starter-Switch/dp/B000COS89E/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1513310026&sr=1-1&keywords=moroso+74124

Hi Glen,
have you seen this in the UKs MGA Register Technical Advice section?
It covers the dip-switch relay project in detail.

http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mga-register/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2014/05/Dip-Switch-Relay-conversion.pdf

(you may need to cut and paste it into your search engine)

I used a simple momentary action switch that I bought from a local auto spares outlet, it was only a few dollars. It works really well, it projects about 2" out from the dash although it only works in a vertical direction. You dont really need the longer switch if you have the steering wheel adjusted to its furthest forward position.

I must admit that I did buy the expensive multi direction switch from Holden but I have never gotten around to fitting it and, to be honest, I probably won`t as this switch works so well.

Cheers
Colyn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-12-15 04:53 AM by colynf.

Thanks all.

I have learned that since my shoe size is over 3" wide (the space between the brake pedal and the tunnel minus 1/4 inch) I am a clown and should not be driving an MGA. I am going to keep the MGA anyway.

Colyn - It was your write up in an MGA! Magazine from a few years ago that started me on this project. Thanks for writing it and pointing out that it is easy to access on the MG Register website. Your link worked fine. I do think this modification of moving the dip switch from the floor to the dash will not only allow a more comfortable foot position on the throttle pedal, but hand operated switch is more inline with modern cars we drive and should work into the subconscious quickly. I like adding the flash function, not to let a car traveling ahead of me know that I intend to pass, but to signal the guy traveling the opposite direction, passing on a two lane road with insufficient time to complete the pass before hitting me head on, that I would appreciate if he would abort the pass or try to make it in a more timely manner.

I also like your modification of moving the turn signal light indicator to the middle of the instruments. The stock low position far to the left is out of my line of sight and I found I was often forgetting to turn it off, which is a safety issue. My quick solution was to wire a small beeper into the circuit so that I have an auditory reminder.

Russ - Thanks for pointing out the Moroso switch. I did a search on Amazon and that switch never appeared. Amazon seems to stop at our house often, so that source should work well.

Glen

Glen,
I am with you! My feet are not particularly big - but still my shoes are 3 inches where I need to press. My big toe is not the best control of the car.

Our MGA was returned from a rebuild in April this year and we were away during the summer... so I did not have a real chance to drive it.
Now we are back and I have taken it out a couple of times... but I hate the position of the pedals on our left-hand drive car.
During the rebuild, I decided with the restorer to add extra insulation around the tunnel and this has added to the problem by reducing the room to put a foot on the gas/accelerator pedal.

I well remember in my first car, in a 'moment' when I was blinded by an approaching car with headlights flaring, on a bend and I tried to change gear with the floor dipswitch... a lot of crashing of gears... So for me getting rid of the floor mount is a good idea.

Love the idea of moving the turn signal light to the hole between the speedo and rev counter.

Fortunately, I have a UK address and we redirect our mail while we are in the US. Holden send the switch to our UK address and the Post Office forwarded it. I would be happy to help you obtain a Holden switch this way for you if you wish.

As I recall the Holden switch was about 12GBP.

The VW Relay was about $14 off Ebay.
Well worth it.. just need someone to move the pedals now... I don't have heat equipment.

regards,
Allan

Am I missing something here?

A "momentary" switch is OK to flash the headlights. It will not provide permanent dip or full beams, i.e., it will not replace the dip switch. You need a three position switch with the third position being "momentary".

Both our cars (1500) have high mounted dip switches. These are not a problem. The later lower mounted 1600 dip switch may be a problem, but you should be able to depress the clutch pedal without fouling the dip switch.

Peter.

Peter, they are talking about fitting the special VW relay that works as a main beam flasher when the lights are switched off but, when the lights are switched on, it becomes a dimmer switch.
Each single press of the switch then alternately switches between low and high beams.

Earlier in these posts you will see the link to the article that describes how to do this.
Cheers
Colyn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-12-18 02:11 PM by colynf.

Yes, Peter, you are missing a couple things. This is an interesting modification, one which will make driving the MGA more pleasant for me. Thanks to Colyn for developing this modification and sharing with us.

First, the dip switch, in this plan, is being replaced with a VW relay. The relay does the function of the dip switch. To punch the relay - you foot will not do the trick - an electrical signal is sent to the relay by the momentary switch. So, the momentary switch is replacing your foot. Hit the momentary switch and the lights go bright. Hit it again and the lights dim. It is the relay doing the work, the switch just tells the relay to change. It does add another function - when the lights are off and the momentary switch is held, the headlights will flash.

Second, the issue is not pressing the clutch pedal. The issue is pressing the throttle, where there is not enough room between the brake and tunnel for my foot to fit. So, moving the pedals to the left (this is a left-hand drive car, Allan pointed out that right-hand drive cars do not have this issue) makes the space larger for the throttle, but makes access to the dip switch with your foot very tight.

Thanks again to Colyn for developing and publishing this modification, complete with part numbers. And, thanks to Allan for obtaining the UK switch for me. NAMGAR and its magazine/website, and this forum have given me information to complete this modification - one I would have never puzzled out by myself. Thanks everyone.

Glen Moore