So far so good...here's an update.
Removed all the old wiring from stem to stern. Removed all the gauges, headlight switch, ignition switch, dome lamp assembly, headlights, chicken$h!t trailer lights that a previous owner had put on, and run lights (well, ONE of them...more jeryr-riggin' to undo on the other one...). Cleaned up any connection terminals and removed as much rust and corrosion as possible. All my contact points looked relatively good for a 64 year old truck.
Ran wires to headlights and re-installed them. Mounted new tail-lights. Pulled new wiring harness to all appropriate general locations. Completed connections for headlights, generator, starter/coil, stop light switch, all connections to head light switch (re-installed in dash), and domelight.
I removed my gauges completely because I am going to refurb them and make em all shiny and purty. Upon inspection, looks like they were all fine except the fuel gauge. All others work so I am just gonna replace the fuel gauge and clean everything else up.
Had to order some things that I didn't think of on first order...decided to go ahead and just replace the whole assemblies for the front run lights...chrome was boogered up badly and the aforementioned jerry-riggin' that was used to mount them will be eliminated by installing new...plus, I need the double filament anyway to add turn lights in front. Had to order the gas tank sending unit...didn't know I would need it separately from main wiring harness. Bought new dimmer switch, all dash bulbs, turn signal flasher and stuff for my wipers.
Gonna be swamped with honey-do's this weekend but hope to get a little more done soon.
Question for bluemeanie...in the wiring harness, there is an extra bundle of pink, white and brown wires that had no connectors on them, and then a little baggie of connector ends. Since the wiring harness basically stops after you drop it down the firewall to go under the cab, can I presume that those extra wires are to run to the tail lights? They aren't numbered and there isn't anything else that is missing wire...there were a couple of wires that had numbers on them that did not have a corresponding line in the instructions. What are those for?
Did discover that the horn in my truck is not original, nor is it in the original place. Not sure if I want to find an original replacement, or just splice some wire on and hook up to the one that's in it...it's mounted on passenger side firewall where heater core penetrates. Like the sound of it, so probbly gonna do the latter.
This has been more fun than I anticipated. The simplicity was very comforting...i was overwhelmed when I originally reached out to yall last week but I was just over thinking it. Thanks for the tips and pointers and more importantly, the encouragement! Instead of looking at my repairs as a "have to" I decided to look at them as "GET to's." I feel blessed to have the ability and opportunity to work on a true American classic.
Till next time...
P.S.
I hope to figure out how to get links to my pictures up hear, and get me a blog going...
KINGLONESTAR
'50 3100
