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| | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 | hi.
don't know much about electricity and truck wiring.
1955 3100. 1957 6 cyl engine.
I want to replace some of the wires in the truck that are in really bad shape: worn, no covering, frayed ends, twisted together, etc.
I don't want to rewire the whole truck right now - I just want to replace the obvious bad wires.
what gauge (or gauges) could/should I use for simple things like headlights, taillights, distributor to coil, etc.
is there any concern on using a gauge thicker than called for?
any guidelines on colors?
thanks
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the factory wiring diagram in the shop manual has gauges and colors shown [if you don't have a manual see here] .... heavier is fine, lighter isn't Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | First of all. We need to know if the truck is a 6 or 12 volt system. 12 volt systems get by using smaller gauge wire. As to your question on using larger gauge wire than orginial...go for it as it will help you on 'line loss' or voltage drop on long wire lengths.
16 ga. is fine for all instrument gauges except amp meter. I like to use 10ga. on headlights, others might use 12 ga., 16 ga. for tail light, brake light, etc.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 | the factory wiring diagram in the shop manual has gauges and colors shown [if you don't have a manual see here] .... heavier is fine, lighter isn't Bill Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 82 | First of all. We need to know if the truck is a 6 or 12 volt system. 12 volt systems get by using smaller gauge wire. As to your question on using larger gauge wire than orginial...go for it as it will help you on 'line loss' or voltage drop on long wire lengths.
16 ga. is fine for all instrument gauges except amp meter. I like to use 10ga. on headlights, others might use 12 ga., 16 ga. for tail light, brake light, etc. it is a 12 volt. thanks! | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 228 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 228 | I was just recently told from a manufacturer of the wire looms that they sell 6 volt only. Why wouldn't a 6 volt loom be better than a 12 volt when upgrading to a 12 volt system? I always thought 6 volt wiring was heavier than a 12 volt system to carry more amprerage . | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2015 Posts: 236 | You are correct on the higher amperage rating.
The only concern (if you want to call it that) on using 6 volt wiring loom in a 12 volt system, is the loom is larger do to the larger gauge and weighs a slight bit more and more copper means a slightly higher cost.
All of this is minimal impact to the truck.
The benefits of 6 volt loom in a 12 volt system is less resistance to the current flow so lees voltage drop. Putting a 12v loom in a 6volt truck could lead to failure.
Electrical/Electronics developers prefer the larger gauge if space, cost and weight are not a consideration.
Baking in the nice desert sun, breathing life back into a 48 3800 5 window.
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