Hi
I have recently purchased a 1981 pickup. Had it to a garage for a safety inspection and the mechanic called a couple things. The only thing causing any trouble is a lack of neutral safety switch to prevent trying to start the vehicle without fully depressing the clutch pedal.
There is no sign of such a switch every being there?
Contacted local Toyota dealership and they can't find a listing for that part.
Is it possible that the truck was never fitted with this switch?
Please let me know first gen folks.
Thanks

 

The truck never had one. In 1981 people didn't have to be protected from themselves. People had more common sense. The inspector is an idiot.

 

Thanks for your reply.
Now I just have to convince that mechanic or perhaps go somewhere else.

 

Toyota didn't start putting in the clutch safety switches until the mid-1980s (1986, if I remember correctly), so your truck never had one from the factory. That is why the dealership could not find it in their parts listings.

Contrary to what 81 4x4 said, I think the clutch safety switch was a good addition by Toyota in later models, plus it is just a simple switch. There will always be times where we (as a whole) forget to push down the clutch, particularly if you commonly go between driving a manual and automatic vehicles.

Try to convince him it never had one from the factory, which is true, and you will be good to go!

 

Hi
Thanks for your additional info. I have been at a complete standstill for a couple weeks.
I think I can now get this over with.
Paul

 

On my 81 wiring diagram, the neutral safety was used only on automatic transmission trucks, not manual

 

i totally agree with you


How can the inspector require you to have something that the truck did not leave the factory with? Gotta be a Canadian thing I mean requirement.
Get the inspector to show you where it was required on the Canadian Market in 1981 or show the requirement in the Canada DOT.
Try another place

boom we have a winner..