The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk A few misc. questions / 51 - 3/4 ton

I can see the end in a few months...I hope! I have a few misc. questions that I hope can be answered. When I got my truck it was missing a few parts so I have nothing to reference. 1. I am about to order a brake light switch...does the arm in the picture simply work by rubbing on the pedal when it is depressed or am I missing something? 2.I'm going to order a heater switch. I have only one wire hanging from the heater motor...should there be a ground too? 3. I have 2 copper ground cables. One goes from the battery to the chassis and the other goes from the chassis to...???...the starter motor??? 4. I bought a cigarette ligther socket and knob. Does anyone know where to get the piece to secure it to the dash...and any needed wiring? 5. Does anyone know where i can buy the piece that is a filler for a truck without a radio? Thanks for the help! Bob

1 brake switch works by being actuated by the pedal
2 heater motor is grounded, only wire is power
3 battery to body/frame...frame to starter attaching bolt (ground)
4 cig lighter should have a unscrewable shell to clamp thru the dash hole...
5 try Jim Carter's or Filling station...check out parts suppliers in links....

I'll try to answer here, I'm more of a Task Force guy.
1, the switch for the brake lights (I beleive is the same as TF), The arm rides on top of the brake pedal arm, when the pedal is depressed, it releases the switch arm (It's spring loaded) making it contact.
2, the hater is grounded through the heater housing.
3, One ground cable should go to from the battery to either the cab or chassis, preferrably the cab, the other goes from the engine (starter bolt is a good mounting point) to the same cab/chassis mounting point as the other cable. It serves as the engine ground.
4, unsure about the retainer, i would think that it would be included with it, again, I'm not 100% familiar with the AD trucks. Wiring is relatively easy, 1 wire ran to a power source, usually a constant hot. If you're only going to loks, no wiring needed.
5, E-Bay or the swap meets. Also, check out the Swap Meet forum. The radio block off isn't being reproduced, but you might be able to get one from someone that is installing a radio in theirs.

Well they beat me to it this mornin’ Bob, but just incase ya need somethin’ to do over that second cup o’ Joe, here are a few pictures that should answer your questions.
Brake Light Switch:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121766796
Heater Motor Connections:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121512986
Starter to Chassis Ground Strap:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121749014
Cigar Lighter:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/accessories&page=3
Wiring that Lighter:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/accessories/1951am/51aim57.htm
I got my radio blank off from the parts wanted forum here. Ask and I’m sure you will get an answer. As Bill said, the come up on evil bay often, try “radio blank off”
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Radio delete panel is what it is often called.

That's it George, I knew there was something askew with what we were calling it.
Thanks for recalling that.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

You guys are great! thanks for the help. Time to go shopping on e-bay.
Thanks,
Bob

I see the radio-delete panels on eBay just about every week.

Don

Looks like there is a buy it now on ebay right now Bob. Appears to have the bolts with it, they are kind of hard to come buy, I had to make my own on the lathe at one time.


There was a guy on ebay motors that was making the plates new, can’t seem to find him now.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I found my radio delete plate at the body shop in their "lost" pile! Still looking for the bolts for it though. I might just try to rig up some old radio knobs to make it work for now. Once I get done spending money to get this thing done i might splurge on a radio. Thanks again for the help. I hope to make some real progress this weekend...nobody is here to interupt me!