Electrical: Is this turn signal switch factory?

[52-fan]

One of the things I did today was remove the turn signal switch from my 52 pickup for refurbishing. I was surprised to find that it is self-canceling with a deice inside the steering column. The only 2R trucks I have examined closely have little "ears" that contact a paddle on the steering wheel to cancel them. Is this just a different version, aftermarket, a car type, or maybe some other brand that can mount a Studebaker steering wheel? The parts book is not very helpful.

[DWBookout]

Could be factory

One of the things I did today was remove the turn signal switch from my 52 pickup for refurbishing. I was surprised to find that it is self-canceling with a deice inside the steering column. The only 2R trucks I have examined closely have little "ears" that contact a paddle on the steering wheel to cancel them. Is this just a different version, aftermarket, a car type, or maybe some other brand that can mount a Studebaker steering wheel? The parts book is not very helpful.

I have the same turn signal assembly on my 1950 Champion and I know it's either factory or at least designed and sold by Studebaker as a deal option. Found mine long ago at the Nashville Meet and consider it one of my best finds ever.

[TWChamp]

Yes, it looks the same as my 1950 Champion also. Mine didn't cancel for one side, but it was a simple adjustment of the two wheels, and a loose screw.

[kurtruk]

Looks like the factory car switch and column wiring housing to me. 'Course your wiring's a little wacky with that one wire coming out of the wrong place.

[52-fan]

I wondered if someone got creative a used a car column. This truck has a later power steering box with the column grafted to it. Someone did some really nice modifying on this truck before someone who didn't have a craftsman-like approach messed with it.
One thing that made me wonder was the shift lever. It looks familiar, but did not look right for this model truck.

[jackb]

just an observation of a 50+ year old set up: I doubt the factory would mess up a new column like that......but....

[52-fan]

Looks like the factory car switch and column wiring housing to me. 'Course your wiring's a little wacky with that one wire coming out of the wrong place.

I think the wire you are referring to is just the end that is doubled back around.
I will have to clean and adjust this switch. You can see it is loaded with old grease and everything is loose.

[52-fan]

Well, I finally got the switch mechanism cleaned and back together. That old white grease was so hard that brake cleaner would only make it sticky. It also smelled very strong and I had trouble getting the smell off my hands. I got it off of the switch by scraping with various tools and wiping with lacquer thinner.
I cleaned most of the switch one evening and then went back the next day to finish. It was locked up solid! The lacquer thinner had evaporated and left the grease/dirt mixture in the moving parts. It had dried like glue. I thought at first that I had melted a plastic bushing or such, but fortunately in those days they used stronger materials. After carefully dribbling a little lacquer thinner on key spots and wiggling the pieces they again would move. I removed the 3 springs and then got to work with cotton swabs dipped in lacquer thinner and a tiny scraper and cleaned inside and all over. After about an hour I had the inside looking good.
BTW If you do this be prepared to fight the heaviest spring. The two coil springs were easy, but the other one has to be bent way around to install it. After several failed attempts I finally got it on by using some brass tubing for handles. I'm sure it was installed at the factory before the case was assembled.
Now all I have to do is refurbish the wires and paint the housing and lever. I made a short video of the switch mechanism working, but it is too long. I may put it on Facebook. I also checked the electronic parts with my multimeter. It works!

[tsenecal]

Nice work! Glad you could save it. Sometimes a little time spent on the original parts, comes out much nicer than a replacement.