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| | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 | I am helping a friend with his 46 1/2 ton
We are going to replace the wiring and change to 12 Volt
I don’t see any fuse box in it ?
The replacement wire kits are not showing a fuse box either
He wants a one wire Alternator as well
Any suggestions for this ?
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,189 | I made my own wire harness to fit my '37s needs. No fuses, all self-resetting circuit breakers. My truck has A/C, lights, and horns, no other accessories so running wires was easy.
I ran all the wires to a box under the seat, if something goes wrong, I lift the seat to check for problems, not crawl under the dash. I helped scrap out a school bus, so I had tons of wire all numbered and color coded. In 26 years, I haven't had one issue with the electrical system, not even a light bulb out. I ran a ground wire to every light from a main ground stud just off the battery, so no need to grind paint off or worry about grounding issues.
Plan ahead for future accessories, I knew at some point I was adding A/C, so I added a heavy power and ground wire up to the dash area when I made the harness, same with ignition, I used a 12 gauge wire to the points distributor knowing I was adding HEI down the road when money became available.
Since it's a truck, add a trailer light harness plug, you may never use it, but the next guy might.
The original harnesses didn't use fuses, they were not needed. The head light switch had a built in circuit breaker of fuse, nothing else was installed that needed fused.
Last edited by Joe H; 04/25/2026 1:18 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,435 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,435 | This wiring diagram on the Chevy Old Car Manual is listed as 1946, but is named 45truck.jpg The only fuse shown is part of the light switch.
Last edited by Bill Hanlon; 04/22/2026 1:44 PM.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,953 | Adapt a 1958-59 wiring harness that has a fuse block.
~ BD.
"You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker
1958 Apache Stepside
1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 50 | Alternator one wire to Amp Gauge and then to Battery ?
A 10 gauge wire ?
I thought a one wire alternator went straight to the battery ? | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 | Alternator and loads on one side, and battery ONLY on the other. If loads are on the same side as the battery, the amp gauge will not show a discharge if the alternator fails.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,435 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,435 | Alternator and loads on one side, and battery ONLY on the other. If loads are on the same side as the battery, the amp gauge will not show a discharge if the alternator fails. ... and if the ammeter reads a charge with the headlights on and the engine off swap sides with the wires.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,189 | I deleted the wrong information, hope it didn't mess up anyone. My way would read charge but not discharge if I read it right on a couple other forums. The way it's described above, it read both directions.
I have go look at my truck and see how its wired, I know it charges, not sure I ever seen it discharge. | | |
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