Topic: Dimmer Switch Rubber Pad?

[Skyway65]

Does anyone know if any model or year ever had a rubber pad on the dimmer switch from the factory?  I have never seen one on any of the '65 or '66 Mustangs I've had over the years although I do recall a friend had a '67 coupe many years ago that did have the black pad.  Comments or observations please.

[midlife]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they only came on convertibles.

[Bob Gaines]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they only came on convertibles.

Yes they did.  +1

[Skyway65]

OK--but why only on convertibles?  In case you're driving in the rain with the top down they give you insulation from a possible 12V shock when you dim your lights?! 

[mgmradio]

My 65 convertible and one of my coupes have the pad. The one on the coupe is differen from the one on the convertible and I'm not 100% positive it is original even though the car has only 4,500 miles on it.

[mgmradio]

The reason for it on convertibles is because it is so close to the inner rocker. Gives you a better chance of hitting it.

[jwc66k]

I put the cap on all my cars, it looks better than a bare steel switch. I believe the plastic grommet that goes in the hole in the carpet around the switch is an "aftermarket only" item but I use them too.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

OK--but why only on convertibles?  In case you're driving in the rain with the top down they give you insulation from a possible 12V shock when you dim your lights?! 

Convertibles have inner rocker panels, position of the switch is higher up.

[CharlesTurner]

I put the cap on all my cars, it looks better than a bare steel switch. I believe the plastic grommet that goes in the hole in the carpet around the switch is an "aftermarket only" item but I use them too.
Jim

Yes, the plastic grommet wasn't used originally.  Always comes in the aftermarket carpet kits though.

[Bob Gaines]

OK--but why only on convertibles?  In case you're driving in the rain with the top down they give you insulation from a possible 12V shock when you dim your lights?! 

Maybe in case it is raining or it is wet so your foot dosn't slip off the switch.

[specialed]

If you look up c5zz # for the dimmer rubber cap it calls out for convertible & that is only car I ever seen them on from factory..  I did study this trying to figure out why convertibles used it & determined it was location of dimmer switch. The convertible only innerrocker ties into touque box at bottom of kick panel & there is not much room for LH foot to find relocated dimmer switch especially on manual trans cars the clutch pedal pad gets in the way & having rubber cap on dimmer switch you can find it easier with your foot.   If you compare a coupe or fastback with 4-speed convertible in this area you will see what I mean.

[Skyway65]

thanks for the input on this topic--I never would have figured that the location of the switch would necessitate a rubber cover!