Willie Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Hi All, I was challenged the other day - the indicator switch on my TR4 is on the wrong side, quoth he! My non-overdrive has the stem on the left. He said it should be on the right. The original handbook states that it is on the "inboard side of the steering column cowl, [and shows it there in the labelling of Instruments & Indicators, both LHD and RHD]. I sent a tech query to Moss and Adam replied thus...."I have always known the switch to be mounted on the right side as sitting in the driver's seat in a RHD car. As a family we have a Mk3 Spitfire, Mk1 Vitesse and a TR6 all with overdrive and the indicator switches are all on the right side of the column, same side as the column overdrive switch. > Our schematic shows it on the right side too." Bill Piggott's originality tome describes it as being on the steering column on the opposite side to the optional overdrive. My gut feel is that makes it on the LEFT as mine is. I suspect there is a danger of parts books favouring US cars due to the overwhelming number of LHDs to RHDs. Pic attached of my car's twig. I look forward to expert opinion! Best wishes Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 34 minutes ago, Willie said: I suspect there is a danger of parts books favouring US cars due to the overwhelming number of LHDs to RHDs. I think you answered your own question Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 I’d leave it on the left. I moved mine to that side so as to minimise confusion with the daily driver. It’s easy enough to swing it over if you really want to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Thank you both for your input. I'm hoping someone knows what is correct! I like the car as standard, subject to minor changes, but would be most interested in the "correct" layout, having been informed by a knowledgeable-sounding individual that the left side is incorrect!! Best wishes Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 When indicator stalks were first fitted to cars, the UK always had them on the right hand side. That meant you could indicate with one hand and simultaneously change gear with the other. European imports had the indicators on the left and this slowly became the norm presumably for ease of manufacture and export, to the detriment of driving convenience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Thanks Rob.....however, I am interested in the answer to the specific question - ON WHICH SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS THE INDICATOR STALK FACTORY FITTED ON A TR4 WITHOUT OVERDRIVE! Best wishes Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted May 2, 2019 Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Right hand side iirc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Sorry Tom...what is iirc? Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 Here are the extracts from the Handbook....left side for RHD? Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Hi Willie iirc = if I remember correctly SWMBO = She who must be obeyed etc etc............... Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Hi Roger, I'm still not getting the answer!! Just looked at a shot I took at IWE in 2015 as I was negotiating the sprung spoke steering wheel seen above. That TR4 with spoked wheel [and o/d] has the indicator stalk on the left. I just want someone with the knowledge of the factory set up to tell me I'm right OR my acquaintance from the other day is right! Lots of good and sensible points made, BUT NO ANSWER. Best wishes Willie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Overdrive stalk for UK and all other right hand drive markets is on the right of the column with the indicator switch on the other side. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Hi Willie, my TR4 has the indicator stalk on the left and OD on the right - as per Stuarts post above. My TR4A has the OD AND indicators on the right with the light stalk on the left. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Just now, RogerH said: Hi Willie, my TR4 has the indicator stalk on the left and OD on the right - as per Stuarts post above. My TR4A has the OD AND indicators on the right with the light stalk on the left. Roger Thats correct, when they changed the light switch to a column one when the 4a came out they moved the indicator switch to the other side of the column. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willie Posted May 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Very many thanks Gents - you never let me down!! My acquaintance was in a 4A so that probably accounts for the difference! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED. Best wishes Willie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim hunt Posted May 3, 2019 Report Share Posted May 3, 2019 Illustrations in the original owners handbook should be sufficient authority. On the TR4 the turn signal control is always inboard, so on the right hand side of the steering column cowl on a LHD car and the LHS of the cowl on a RHD car while the optional overdrive control is on the opposite side to the turn signal control. For some reason the arrangement on the TR4A is totally different. The turn signal control is on the LHS of the column cowl on a LHD car and the RHS of the cowl on a RHD car. The owners handbook for the 4A also states that when an overdrive is fitted the control is on the same side of the column cowl that houses the turn signal control. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
badhuis Posted May 6, 2019 Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 But there seem something strange. Over the years I have always looked into LHD TR4s to see if it had an OD switch - by looking at the inboard side. Usually not, most American delivered cars I have seen are without OD. My car (LHD) has the turn control on the door side, the car my brother bought a year ago in Los Angeles has the same. There are lots of USA TR4s on Ebay and Hemmings, I had a look and they ALL have the turn indicator on the door side! Curiously I looked in the handbook and yes - it "should" be on the other (inboard) side. But why have all these USA TR4s them on the other side? I understand they may not be original anymore, who knows what happened over the years etc., one or two might have switched position over the years but surely not all???? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 My USA car has the turn signal on the left too. Can't swear to it being original, but there it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 7, 2019 Report Share Posted May 7, 2019 Ignore the handbook. Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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