Aftermarket OD switch?

[pkmesser]

Has anyone looked at replaceing the factory OD switch "mis-located" on the dash with something that is user friendly?
I have never liked the location of the OD switch on the dash. It is in a very awkard position to me. I almost always have to take my eyes off the road to use it. To me, what would be ideal is a paddle switch on the shift lever. I had an 08 Silverado HD pickup with the GM 6 speed in it. It had a paddle switch on the shift lever, it was more than just a OD switch, but for an aftermarket that's probably too much to ask for because you would probably have to get into the TCM to do more than the OD function. (with the pickup, you could downshift all the way to 1 st if you wanted to, and then if you had downshifted using it, you could shift back up, 1 gear at a time. It was ideal for steep grades in a quarry.) With my normal steering wheel position, the paddle switch was probably only 3" from my right hand. With the MH, it would be a little further than that, but still better than the OD switch on the left hand side, hidden behind the steering wheel for me.
Any ideas anyone?

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmesser Has anyone looked at replaceing the factory OD switch "mis-located" on the dash with something that is user friendly? ..................Any ideas anyone?

Like you, I found the location WBGO choose for my O/D switch to be less than user-friendly. I use it frequently while driving, and they relegated it to the bottom-most position I had to reach for, under two other switches I "never" use.

While at Forest City last fall, I paid them to remove it from the original position and re-install it on the driver's door switch panel where I can easily feel-find it without taking my eyes off the road. They printed a nice looking label for it. The OE location is now just an empty rectangular hole, not really noticable .

Good luck with yours. Ed

[pkmesser]

I have several unused slots on the right hand side of the dash, with blank inserts, that I could swap around, but their location is really not any better.

[edgray]

My previous coach was a 2003 KSCA 3740 and I used the O/D switch frequently, but less than I do now because now it is six speed. Sorry, but I can't remember where Newmar put it back then, but it wasn't a problem until I traded coaches, so I moved it as described above.

[dieselclacker]

I have been kickin around an idea for awhile now, to replace the dash OD switch with a thumb operated pushbutton switch located on the steering wheel. Would utilize the ground wire for horn that is located in steering wheel center to operate a double pole relay. Would necessitate operating horn from another location other than steering wheel.

Dieselclacker

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselclacker Would necessitate operating horn from another location other than steering wheel.

Dieselclacker, You can alwas use the former location of the OD switch for the horn button w/o putting additional holes in yiour dash.

[pkmesser]

I may look for a slide or paddle switch that I can put on the gearshift lever. It would need to be fairly small to fit well though. In that location, I could probably run leads that would not be too awful looking. The problem is finding a switch that would mount. ( I was hoping someone else had found a better solution). Edgray had the same coach I have, just 2 years earlier, it was probably the same dash, which brings me to a question? Is the dash from Workhorse, or from the coach builder?

[JohnRR]

On my short list of things to do is make an extension cord and move the OD switch to the door panel in the spot now occupied by the windshield shade and put the shade switch back on the dash.

Here I was thinking I was the only one who did not like it's original location.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR Here I was thinking I was the only one who did not like it's original location.

The coach builder is likely to put that switch anywhere they think it's going to fit.

Using the Ultrapower Allison Grade Brake I find myself not going for the switch anywhere near as often because I can do the same thing as a toggle off by tapping the brake pedal. Once the downshift schedule starts the tranny will shift to 4th and stay there until I step on the gas pedal.

[Larry & Rita]

i'M LUCKY.
mY O/D switch is dead on the end of the gear shiffter.
When I push it the shift leaver lights up to let me know it's on

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer I can do the same thing as a toggle off by tapping the brake pedal. Once the downshift schedule starts the tranny will shift to 4th and stay there until I step on the gas pedal.

I may be missing something I have a two position off switch and the only time I go out of OD is on a up hill pull and every so often I'll manually switch it off one time rather than waiting for the tranny to down gear, it seemed to pull better and longer on the up grades coming back through Colorado from California the only real experience I've been able to get with it during the short period of time I got to drive it last season.

It seems the best I can recall every time I've shut it off I've always been into the throttle.

[edgray]

I use mine to cause a downshift to slow the coach without using brakes. Works when approaching an exit even when the TGB feature won't because of flat road. I have rarely used it to cause a DS for acceleration purposes, believing that I can make that happen by applying pressure to the gas pedal. works for me, your experience may be different. Safe travels, Ed

[pkmesser]

I use the OD switch for braking, it downshifts on it's own on a very slight grade for pulling. The upgrade to the transmission programing is probably ok, I don't necessarily want to spend the money for that, for something I am used to doing myself. Also, using the tcm upgrade means you are going to activate your brake lights everytime you want a de-acelerate downshift.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkmesser Also, using the TCM upgrade means you are going to activate your brake lights everytime you want a de-acelerate downshift.

If you use the standard equipment (2005 and later) TGB, the brake lights will also come on when you initiate the event.

For any event in which you are purposefully slowing the vehicle for any reason, brake lights are highly recommended. On some city busses they have deceleration yellow flashing lights but we haven't gone that route yet. Regardless if you are changing your speed negatively you need to warn the driver behind you.

Our typical driving conditions are on flat lands for the most part so using an OD switch does not accomplish much on an Interstage if you want to reduce your speed. I have given up on using the OD switch because it does not yield enough slowing power. Grab a gear and make it happen is what I would suggest and that's what I do. If I need to slow I'll select (down) shift "since" the AUGB OR TGB will NOT work on flat terrain. The OD switch will shift you from .61 to 1 to 1 to 1 big deal. Take that down the 3rd and you're talking a final drive change that yields slowing power. Grab second gear if you want to.

If you are in hilly terrain and want to get a lead on a grade, go ahead click the OD switch to the OFF position. Bringing yourself into 4th gear earlier will bring your energy level up more quickly and the powertrain may not need an additional downshift to climb the grade.

The TGB or AUGB works great in hilly country or mountainous grades all on its own and requires little input from the driver other than normally applying the brake pedal. These systems render effortless the compression downshift schedule as much as the TCM effortlessly executes the upshift schedule. Don't leave home without it!

In you comments you spoke of; "de-acelerate downshift" is that anything like a "whoa-go"