Inertia Switch - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Hackfabricaton · 07-23-2007, 04:37 AM

(posted a similar Q on the Jeep forum-don't know how many Ford people lurk over there)

Any real life experience with a modified vehicle using the stock fuel pump inertia switch? I'm concerned that with a leaf sprung short wheelbase vehicle, that the darn thing will be 'popping' everytime I hit a bad stretch of highway.

I'm also thinking about installing a on-off-on switch in the circuit to by-pass the inertia switch when off road. It'll give me the bonus of also acting as a anti-theft device in the off position.

Any thoughts?

mondtster · 07-23-2007, 04:54 AM

I played with one that came out of a Bronco II because I was thinking the same thing. I could shake it pretty good and never had it actually trip until I dropped it on the floor. I don't think it is going to go off on you just driving around.

EBSTEVE · 07-23-2007, 06:32 AM

I have wheeled mine a ton without it having a problem. It's designed to trip with a hard hit, mine has not tripped yet, even upside down on an easy roll.

Hackfabricaton · 07-23-2007, 08:11 AM

Thanks! I'm just wondering if there is a difference between the passenger car switches and the truck ones? The one that I've got out of a 93 Mustang will trip if you give it a 'sharp' shake. I'm thinking that's a whole lot less than a minor impact.

I've driven Ford EFI cars for years, along with a 96 F150, and never had problems. But, I don't want to have any problems either.

Rubicrawler · 07-23-2007, 08:26 AM

I had one out at an '89 Mustang in my old EB and never had a lick of trouble with it. I had mine mounted high on the kick panel on the passengers side close to the dash.

68crawler · 07-23-2007, 11:56 AM

I've been running one in my EB that I got out of a mid 90's T-bird at the you-pull-yard and it has never tripped on or off road. I like having it there thouigh just incase of a bad roll or accident on the road.

Hackfabricaton · 07-23-2007, 12:18 PM

I'm beginning to feel a whole more confidence in it working the way it was intended to!!!!

Thanks!

WHITE RHINO · 07-23-2007, 12:50 PM

i eliminated mine

PROJECTJUNKIE · 07-23-2007, 12:51 PM

I wheeled a 91 bronco and hit some bumps with my 97 explorer, never popped. Tripped it on my 88 mustang, but that was after I launched it 95' at 130mph

svt150j49 · 07-23-2007, 01:52 PM

ive rolled my truck, jumped my truck, driven over dirt roads, pot holes, curbs, and i frequently use it as a ram...

ive never had a single problem with mine.

i have had several problems with them on vehicles on my work. one was a van (i think it was a 91?) it had melted, but this vehicle had major work done to the electrical system (mexican wiring?

)

4x4junkie · 07-23-2007, 01:53 PM

I've smacked the axles & undercarriage hard many times on mine and never had it trip either.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Danger Ranger · 07-23-2007, 02:38 PM

I set mine off once or twice out of a group of about 30 rollovers or so

It's now been eliminated though and I ran the circuit through a toggle switch I can reach strapped into my harness'.

*edit* and I do recall this one time I was um... driving nicely... (ok that was a lie) in the sluice box and um landed on my rock slider part of the buggy and tripped it. But it was a SOLID and harsh hit

*edit*

Hackfabricaton · 07-23-2007, 07:42 PM

Perhaps I should've titled the thread: What does it take to trip the switch.

Great stories. Love 'em all.

jopes · 07-23-2007, 09:21 PM

I never wired one in.

Nate C · 07-24-2007, 09:23 AM

Never tripped mine or seen one tripped, but have heard of it. My Ranger is not a hardcore wheeler, but wheeling in my friend's abused beat ride we never tripped either...and he drives like a madman.

If your truck won't start it's one of the first things to check and easy to reach.

94stepsideford · 07-24-2007, 11:36 AM

Ill be the odd duck and say I have had mine set off from somthing so light as releasing the parking brake.

Hackfabricaton · 07-24-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94stepsideford

...I have had mine set off from somthing so light as releasing the parking brake.

Damn. That must've been one hell of a parking brake.

94stepsideford · 07-24-2007, 07:37 PM

I thin after reading this there is somthing wrong with mine.

svt150j49 · 07-24-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94stepsideford

I thin after reading this there is somthing wrong with mine.

yeah probably. a slight tap on it should set it off, like with a hammer... but you cant really set it off by like flicking it or anything...

94stepsideford · 07-25-2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svt150j49

yeah probably. a slight tap on it should set it off, like with a hammer... but you cant really set it off by like flicking it or anything...

I haven't tried flicking it yet

sceep · 07-25-2007, 10:52 AM

always eliminated them. why worry about it.

Totalled · 07-25-2007, 12:26 PM

One of my BII peeps had his go bad last trail run and every freaken bump shut the truck down... I say use an oil pressure switch on the motor to kill the pump.

fordkiller187 · 08-04-2007, 02:47 AM

I peeled both front tires off a 96 f150 by hitting a ditch at over 90 and the motor never missed a beat.

Hackfabricaton · 08-04-2007, 07:54 AM

Double DAMN!!

67eb_in_619 · 08-04-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totalled

One of my BII peeps had his go bad last trail run and every freaken bump shut the truck down... I say use an oil pressure switch on the motor to kill the pump.

How would that work on startup?
Any write up on doing this? or maybe a cool little bag of parts available from a vendor to accomplish this?

I never wired mine in, but I would think there is a correct "orientation" to mount it in to prevent it from going off all the time. "downward" bumps (potholes) etc shouldnt set it off.. but lateral bumps should... thats the point.. turn it off in the event of serious accident, not hitting a curb.

Think of all the disabled vehicles you would see on a stretch if bumpy road otherwise.

07-23-2007, 04:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	Inertia Switch (posted a similar Q on the Jeep forum-don't know how many Ford people lurk over there) Any real life experience with a modified vehicle using the stock fuel pump inertia switch? I'm concerned that with a leaf sprung short wheelbase vehicle, that the darn thing will be 'popping' everytime I hit a bad stretch of highway. I'm also thinking about installing a on-off-on switch in the circuit to by-pass the inertia switch when off road. It'll give me the bonus of also acting as a anti-theft device in the off position. Any thoughts? __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

07-23-2007, 06:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
EBSTEVE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 595 Location: EVERETT WA Posts: 1,861	I have wheeled mine a ton without it having a problem. It's designed to trip with a hard hit, mine has not tripped yet, even upside down on an easy roll. __________________ [COLOR="Red"]star[/COLOR]

07-23-2007, 08:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	Thanks! I'm just wondering if there is a difference between the passenger car switches and the truck ones? The one that I've got out of a 93 Mustang will trip if you give it a 'sharp' shake. I'm thinking that's a whole lot less than a minor impact. I've driven Ford EFI cars for years, along with a 96 F150, and never had problems. But, I don't want to have any problems either. __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

07-23-2007, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rubicrawler Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2037 Location: Brentwood, CA 150 mi. from the 'Con Posts: 5,836	I had one out at an '89 Mustang in my old EB and never had a lick of trouble with it. I had mine mounted high on the kick panel on the passengers side close to the dash. __________________ Mark Langford KI6TMK '86 CJ7, ProRock60's, 4.88's/Detroits/35 Spline Alloys/CTM's, TBI 350, 700R4, 4:1 D300 w/Twin Stick, 17" x 8.5" Trail Ready HD Aluminum beadlocks, 37x13.5x17 Toyo MT's Dysfunctional Rockcrawlers (TDO)

07-23-2007, 12:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	I'm beginning to feel a whole more confidence in it working the way it was intended to!!!! Thanks! __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

07-23-2007, 04:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
mondtster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25349 Location: Waterloo, IA Posts: 3,648	I played with one that came out of a Bronco II because I was thinking the same thing. I could shake it pretty good and never had it actually trip until I dropped it on the floor. I don't think it is going to go off on you just driving around.

07-23-2007, 11:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
68crawler Granite Guru Join Date: Nov 2004 Member # 38845 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 843	I've been running one in my EB that I got out of a mid 90's T-bird at the you-pull-yard and it has never tripped on or off road. I like having it there thouigh just incase of a bad roll or accident on the road.

07-23-2007, 12:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
WHITE RHINO Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 71446 Location: MORGAN HILL, CA Posts: 3,116	i eliminated mine __________________ (WHITE RHINO)88 Ranger, 2.9liter,1350/1354 doubler, HP 60 with Plated knuckles, chromos, PSC Hydro, 3 link, Rear Eaton 44" Pitbulls on H1's Section8Krawlers.com Extreme Dual Sport Tuff Lites Unbreakable Turn Signals for your Dual Sport/Adventure Bike

07-23-2007, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
PROJECTJUNKIE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52361 Location: Tucson,AZ Posts: 1,197	I wheeled a 91 bronco and hit some bumps with my 97 explorer, never popped. Tripped it on my 88 mustang, but that was after I launched it 95' at 130mph

07-23-2007, 01:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
svt150j49 Damn you chuckie... Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 85316 Location: Redding Posts: 2,937	ive rolled my truck, jumped my truck, driven over dirt roads, pot holes, curbs, and i frequently use it as a ram... ive never had a single problem with mine. i have had several problems with them on vehicles on my work. one was a van (i think it was a 91?) it had melted, but this vehicle had major work done to the electrical system (mexican wiring? ) __________________ 1996 F150 - Supercharged 5.8L, E4OD, Vortech S-trim, PSD Intercooler, 15 psi , 1356, Dana 60, 10.25, 5.13 gears, welded rear diff, 14" Air/Coilovers. Check it out: Build thread: Here The un-named buggy - 2.3L, lotsa tube, and FJ80s.

07-23-2007, 01:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
4x4junkie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10063 Location: So.Calif (San Fernando Valley) Posts: 1,761	I've smacked the axles & undercarriage hard many times on mine and never had it trip either. I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ '90 Bronco II, 2.9L, Dual T-case, 5.13s, 35x12.50s [url]http://www.cardomain.com/ride/702959[/url]

07-23-2007, 02:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Danger Ranger Driven by hate Join Date: Jul 2000 Member # 1234 Location: Clearlake, Ca Posts: 5,401 Blog Entries: 1	I set mine off once or twice out of a group of about 30 rollovers or so It's now been eliminated though and I ran the circuit through a toggle switch I can reach strapped into my harness'. edit and I do recall this one time I was um... driving nicely... (ok that was a lie) in the sluice box and um landed on my rock slider part of the buggy and tripped it. But it was a SOLID and harsh hit edit __________________ You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave! Last edited by Danger Ranger; 07-23-2007 at 02:43 PM.

07-23-2007, 07:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	Perhaps I should've titled the thread: What does it take to trip the switch. Great stories. Love 'em all. __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

07-23-2007, 09:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
jopes Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8469 Location: Douglas, Wyoming Posts: 3,191	I never wired one in. __________________ 408ci SEFI, 70mm throttle body, 90mm mass air, stang harness, tweecer R/T waiting on a home.

07-24-2007, 09:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
Nate C Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 694 Location: Commiefornia Posts: 1,536	Never tripped mine or seen one tripped, but have heard of it. My Ranger is not a hardcore wheeler, but wheeling in my friend's abused beat ride we never tripped either...and he drives like a madman. If your truck won't start it's one of the first things to check and easy to reach. __________________ michaelsavage.com Last edited by Nate C; 07-24-2007 at 09:25 AM.

07-24-2007, 11:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
94stepsideford Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 36399 Location: Hinesburg, VT Posts: 3,147	Ill be the odd duck and say I have had mine set off from somthing so light as releasing the parking brake. __________________ 94 F-150 Stepside. BGTL 12" lift, 1-tons, 39" 'roks 95 F-150 6" of lift, SAS 35" BFG's

07-24-2007, 07:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
94stepsideford Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 36399 Location: Hinesburg, VT Posts: 3,147	I thin after reading this there is somthing wrong with mine. __________________ 94 F-150 Stepside. BGTL 12" lift, 1-tons, 39" 'roks 95 F-150 6" of lift, SAS 35" BFG's

08-04-2007, 02:47 AM	#23 (permalink)
fordkiller187 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Member # 96244 Location: Land "O" Mud Posts: 34	I peeled both front tires off a 96 f150 by hitting a ditch at over 90 and the motor never missed a beat. Last edited by fordkiller187; 08-04-2007 at 02:49 AM.

08-04-2007, 07:54 AM	#24 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	Double DAMN!! __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode