Planning a "tribute" RT turn signal system

[cc2Arider]

All,

I've really grown to appreciate the elegant simplicity of the RT turn signal assembly :) I don't have one to examine up close, but I have seen some pictures and heard others discuss some of the materials used...

I'd like to make my own set as a "tribute" to Russ...

I sourced an older VW turn signal stalk assembly and determined that Russ likely cut off the lever itself (because it has too much "offset" towards the steering wheel). His design appears to use a small diameter tube as the replacement stalk, with set screws holding it in place on the annular collar of the turn signal assembly. I also learned that he used a Delrin bushing inside to fit between the steering shaft and the cosmetic steering shaft collar (likely aluminum tubing). This outside Al collar looks to be bolted to the chassis on the dash (replacing the pillow block).

Is this correct so far?

I went to McMaster-Carr and identified the materials I'll need to get started, but have more questions:

1) Why does his design have a metal interface between the FFR-supplied Steering wheel hub and the turn signal assembly? Is it to have a more durable metal (other than Al) for the self-canceling hardware inside?

2) Does it look like he machined an Al adapter to mount the high/low light switch at the end of the stalk to the turn signal stalk? Was this threaded, or glued, or welded together?

3) Does the Delrin bushing assembly negate the need for the FFR pillow block, or are those both a part of the design?

Appreciate any feedback/guidance you can share :)

Craig C

[Ted G]

I can't answer your questions, but good luck. All I know is that Russ needed the FFR steering wheel boss and I watched as Russ put it onto a lathe and then a drill press to get to where he needed it to be. It was something to watch.

[ArcticAZ]

I haven't seen a "real" Russ turn signal, but I needed one a few years ago when Russ wasn't taking orders due to lack of supply of VW switches to modify.

So I made my own. I'm not very good at photo documentation, so I'm recalling from memory (and not inclined to take it apart).

First you need a good 62-65 VW switch. I bought a knock off from the orient - lousy quality so I returned it. An online search eventually located a german made version.

Yes, cut off the original handle. It is hollow and open to the back. I cut a small piece of steel to fill in the channel - with a small machine screw and epoxy to hold in place. The outboard end of the piece was drilled and tapped 10-32 and a suitable length of 3/16 stainless rod was threaded to screw in with a handle epoxied on. I did not put a momentary switch in the end.

For a mounting tube I had a piece of aluminum tube in my scrap bin - I think maybe it was 1 1/4 schedule 40 pipe. Required the end to be turned down to fit into the VW socket. A bushing was made to fit inside the tubing and over the F5 shaft (I used HDPE). A bracket and U bolt under the dash to hold it in place.

To modify the steering wheel hub, first the wheel mounting holes were helicoiled to eliminate the locknuts on the backside. I believe the shank on the forward section had to be reduced in diameter slightly to fit into the switch hub. A .25" wide groove was cut into that section in the appropriate location for the cancel function and a small piece of brass screwed into thd groove in the right place to engage thd cancel tabs, then turned flush with thd aluminum. A matter of studying how the switch functions.

Good luck.

[flyboyjy]

Since my RT steering column is right in the middle of being installed here is some pictures I could get with out pulling it back out.

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[flyboyjy]

3) Does the Delrin bushing assembly negate the need for the FFR pillow block, or are those both a part of the design?

The Delrin bushing inside looks like it centers the shaft inside the tube and the FFR pillow block is incorporated into the back of the tube. The hardest part was drilling the mounting holes in the welded on mounting plate. Otherwise from what I can tell from playing with it before I pulled it back apart to mount the dash panel is it works really nice. Russ provided pages and pages of assembly and wiring instructions.

[cbeaz]

Check out this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkHZnyS7eIs

[cc2Arider]

Thanks guys! Very helpful info :)

I appreciate it!

Craig C