How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

[infraredfotografy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close infraredfotografy]

Hi bros,

I will have to teach my missus to drive the Prado. RV 1997 3.4 petrol Manual.

I found that it will be quite difficult for her to change the gear if she can not see what the gear she put it in at the time. Of course, with an automatic gear, this issue is not the matter because it will show the number of gear position on the panel.

So, I want to have the installation that will turn on the light/number of what gear position I am in at the time whenever I change the gear.

I can make the light/number by myself (or order parts like that), but I don't know for sure how can I install the switch with the gear in order to get the light on.

Only one light that I am sure I can get now is Reversed light :mrgreen:

Is there any chance that I can do this modification or not?

Thank you for your help

[RogueAussie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RogueAussie]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Just my opinion here but wouldn't it be better to just learn to drive the manual transmission and change the gears dependant on revs and changing traffic conditions. Actually knowing the gear you are in doesn't really matter if you have a tacho or you listen to the engine. Additionally, if you are driving in a reasonably busy area, the constant checking of gear selection lights could turn out to be a dangerous distraction or a dependancy that could lead to problems when driving other manual vehicles.

If you are set on doing this mod, the only way I could see it working would be to somehow install contacts that are manually bridged by the gear shift lever when the gear is selected.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Bloody hell... are you for real :?:

[infraredfotografy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close infraredfotografy]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Just my opinion here but wouldn't it be better to just learn to drive the manual transmission and change the gears dependant on revs and changing traffic conditions. Actually knowing the gear you are in doesn't really matter if you have a tacho or you listen to the engine. Additionally, if you are driving in a reasonably busy area, the constant checking of gear selection lights could turn out to be a dangerous distraction or a dependancy that could lead to problems when driving other manual vehicles.

Yes, for me it is just nothing. But my missus, she does not have a good feeling of speed and anything else (hearing the change or gear, hearing the sound of the machine) when she drive. So it should be good to install this IF IT CAN BE DONE.

Then I am sure when she is ok with the driving, she will not look at the panel.

If you are set on doing this mod, the only way I could see it working would be to somehow install contacts that are manually bridged by the gear shift lever when the gear is selected.

I just wonder how to install this. Because I know that we can do/fix the bridge like this with the automatic Prados.

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

You have a few options mate -

1. Buy her an automatic and save the manual for yourself.
2. Send her to driver training to learn how to drive a manual.
3. Inform everyone in Sydney when she is on the road, so they can get off the road...

I recommend option 2, get her into a training school, they will teach her to drive a manual. It will take time! But a reliance on custom installs within the car is dangerous for everybody on the road. counting between 1-4 is not difficult, so not hard to remember switch gear!!!

I'd be more worried about her burning out the clutch...

Next you'll be asking if a fat 5" tacho with shift light will fit on your dash!!!

[infraredfotografy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close infraredfotografy]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

You have a few options mate -

1. Buy her an automatic and save the manual for yourself.
2. Send her to driver training to learn how to drive a manual.
3. Inform everyone in Sydney when she is on the road, so they can get off the road...

I recommend option 2, get her into a training school, they will teach her to drive a manual. It will take time! But a reliance on custom installs within the car is dangerous for everybody on the road. counting between 1-4 is not difficult, so not hard to remember switch gear!!!

I'd be more worried about her burning out the clutch...

Next you'll be asking if a fat 5" tacho with shift light will fit on your dash!!!

Option (1.) is not a good one as she does not like 2 cars in our house, especially 2 Prados.

Option (3.) will cost a lot of time to do so :mrgreen:

Option (2.) - > I like this idea.

Thanks bro :twisted:

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

In all fairness mate, take the missus down to a wide open space (carpark?) and sit there in the passenger seat while she learns to drive the manual...

It wont take long for her to pick up listening to the cars engine to know when its time to change gear... Nor will it take overly long to learn where each gear is... Once the basics are covered long drives on open roads would be your next step (areas where if going slower than the speed limit wont upset other road users)... A drive though the CBD will be the last thing on your list - and anything prior to that may put her off manuals for good...

It all sounds good in theory...

But i still believe that this approach will be far better than trying to add any dash modification - even if the gear indication is there!!!
Will give your missus the confidence to drive any car put infront of her.

Matt

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

if it is bouncing off the limiter = change up
if it isn't = change down

But seriously

Perhaps a way to help your mrs out with when to change is apply a simple rule of 20's.

1st gear = up to 20 kph
2nd gear = 20 to 40 kph
3rd gear = 40 to 60 kph
4th gear = 60 to 80 kph
5th gear = 80 to 100 kph (and above)

[Tony&Tracey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tony&Tracey]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

hey guys,

i am in the process of teaching my daughter to drive. mind you it's on the wife's laser and not our prado. but from the start, she has been taught to feel the car and the revs. i didnt tell her to watch for a certain rev point or speed and these will change between even just our 2 cars. and besides in years to come whereby she has friends aboard and a radio on too loud, she needs to know how to feel when she needs to change gears, not watch for revs or speed point.

i would suggest that you wife needs to learn the same>

regards Tony

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

thats what driving is supposed to be... it's how i drive, how i will teach my boys to drive - manual only!!!

learn to drive an auto? only drive an auto...
learn to drive a manual? drive anything you want to!!!

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Crikey!

Question I have to ask is: Does she even have a licence to drive a manual car (or anything at all)?

[infraredfotografy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close infraredfotografy]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Crikey!

Question I have to ask is: Does she even have a licence to drive a manual car (or anything at all)?

:mrgreen: she will have P2 soon

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Isn't your car for sale?

[infraredfotografy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close infraredfotografy]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

Isn't your car for sale?

you are excellent to ask this question.

yes, it is for sale now. I and my wife made a storm argument about the car and modifications for a long time. And finally I am deciding to sell it with a very reasonable price and huge new and good modifications inside the car. If no one pays that price which is really cheap for that one. I will then (have to) keep it :mrgreen:

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: How to install light number 4 changing gear of a manual Prad

yes, it is for sale now. I and my wife made a storm argument about the car and modifications for a long time

For sale? Bugger... I was looking forward to seeing photos of the 'vertical Lamborghini door' you mention in your mod waiting list!!!!
I guess we'll miss out on that now?