The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay I hate to be a bother

Thanks for all the attention so far. I really don't know what I'm doing in the electrical area of this truck. But it does have major problems.

This truck has been wired backwards and forwards.

The wiring schematic is on it's way to me.

Being that I am a complete novice at this, would you advise me to order a "complete" wiring harness? I do not like "spliced" wires. And this truck is full of them.

I don't mind spending the money on it either. I've always stated that I want this truck mecahnically sound.

My technical advisor comes and goes on his opinions, so, I guess it's up to me.

I intend to build this truck, and make a nice truck out of it. I'll have to do most of it out of my back yard. But I'll do it.

One more thing, just out of curiousity. My tech tells me that "loose" battery cables, or "corroded" battery cables will not drain a battery.

Any opinions on that?

Thanks for now,
Davey

I'd replace the wiring. However, as long as they are done right (solder/heat shrink), there is nothing wrong with a splice.

I vote for a new wiring kit - if yer gonna keep the truck long term it's wise to start out in a way that means you'll never have wiring problems again .... if you do it right

loose/corroded connections should cause no problem other than a really crummy connection may not allow the gen/alt to keep the battery well charged

Bill

Go with a complete harness be easier for you if you are a novice

Hey, Davey

After more than 50 years and God only knows how many hack-jobs, there's nothing that makes more sense than to rewire the truck. I did mine 3 years ago ... I never did anything like it before and it sure was fun!

First, read my Rewiring Project Checklist

Then check out the Photo Diary of my 10-day rewiring project.

And, especially if you aren't restoring to original, you might want to soup things up under the hood like I did after I finished my rewiring -- read the info on This Page ... and don't miss the related links at the bottom of the page.

This is something you'll really be glad you did!

Have fun ... and remember, we're all here if you have any questions.

Davey: Get those battery cables clean! 1. it will sooner or later not start, 2. It also makes it tough to take a charge. If you do not have a good battery cleaner I have used: Pepsi, or baking soda water just wash it off good.

Now for the wiring to many times I have seen a prject burn because of improper wiring, crimps, such. The new wiring harness w/time are pretty good. I own one. Alan has a great article worth reading!! Pops

popcorn The Truth is Out There (Do it right 1st time my friend) Ben

Davey,
If you're not dependent on the truck for your daily driver, I'd also recommend replacing the wiring harness. I cannot tell you how many cold mornings I've sat in the dark with a flashlight squeezed between my neck and shoulder while splicing some darn thing. I've gotten to the point where I just tear out the old stuff and start over too.

If money is not a problem then get the new harness.You will be really happy you did.

Yes. Replace your tech advisor.

Loose and/or corroded connections are hurting you in at least two ways.

Strictly speaking no, they do not drain the battery, but they do increase the drain on the battery when you use it because loose or corroded connections increase resistance.

And that same resistance will reduce the ability of your charging system to recharge the battery or at the very least, increase the strain on the charging system.

In an extreme case loose or corroded can lead to a mechanical failure of the wire or connection meaning you no longer have a battery in the circuit, and the electrical system is dependant on the charging system to keep your ignition and accessories powered. Once you stop the motor there would be no power to restart it.

If your knowledge of wiring and electricity is limited and your existing wiring system has been hacked together, a replacement wiring harness from one of the quaility venders is a real good idea.

And when you have questions get an opinion or two here before committing to an approach. I don't have a lot of confidence in your tech advisor.

To start off with, I might have confused everyone about the statement my mechanic made. He said loose battery cables will not "drain" the battery while it sits parked for days on end. Everyone in here seems to pretty much agree with that.

I asked him that question because the battery cables in the truck, in my opinion, need to be replaced. The ground cable just won't tighten tight enough to satisfy me. So I'm definitely replacing them.

My techie really does know what he's talking about. I think he's trying to help me save money with some of his suggestions.

Anyway. I am convinced that I am gonna get the NEW wiring harness, and start from scratch. That's what I have thought was best, and that's what I'm a-gonna do.

Thanks for the advice everybody. And, you've gotta know I'll be in here asking questions when I get it and get started.

I think I may have asked this question in a different post, but, just in case I didn't:

I noticed at one Truck Parts store, they have two complete wiring harnesses. One is for a truck with "original" equipment. The other has many extra wires for add-on stuff such as A/C etc.

I think there's about a hundred dollars between the two. Shouldn't I go with the one with extra wires, just in case? I don't mind spending the extra money.

And yes, I plan on making a decent truck out of this, so I want to do things right as I go. I can live with the rustic appearance of it for quite some time. I just want it to drive right, run right, and be as Safe as I can possibly make it. Then I'll worry about the appearance.

Thanks a 1/2 ton everybody!

I'll be back...

Davey

You say a number of times that you don't mind spending money on this project. Its important your advisors know your objectives and resources.

I recently had a contractor explain a 60 day delay on a building project by saying he was trying to save me a little money. In the end he failed to save me the money, and I'd gladly pay twice the $1,000 he was trying to save to get those 60 days back.

I was surpised he didn't understand my objective, but you can be sure he does now.

When your advisors do not understand your objectives they will make wrong decisions or give wrong advice.

Of couse having them on the same page still doesn't mean they will always be right...

As with any project if you have extra money build what ever you are building with an expansion in mind.It will make all the difference in the world in the long run.

I went with the more modern harness because I knew I wanted to put AC in my truck ... and, eventually, power seats and other things. But if the one you're looking at is more than $165.00, you're spending too much.

Go Here ... click on HARNESSES -- the one I bought was the one that's 18 Fuses | 21 Circuits. You can't buy better quality wire or wire-coating than EZ-Wire has, either.

my International at the country place sits for awhile without being started. I always dis-connect the battery cables.. that helps save the battery..

Thanks Fred. That was actually what I was asking Homer. Since the ground cable won't completely tighten up, should I disconnect it to keep from draining the battery. He told me it didn't matter, but I disconnected it anyway.

Also, I got a bit confused about this wiring harness thing. I thought what I was thinking of buying was a "complete" wiring harness, for the entire truck. It's not. But it is what I am actually needing presently.

The harness is basically for all lights, radio, gauges, and that type of thing.

This is what I feel I need most right now, and a good place to start.

I was also wrong about the price differences between the two. It's actually only $20. Guess I'll go with the more pricey one.

I hope to have the money at hand to order this next week, so probably a couple of weeks before I can actually do anything with it.

Otherwise, Venus just sits and waits on "me".

I did buy me an angle grinder yesterday, and may have a bit of time tomorrow to get in the bed box and see if I can make that look any better.

Thanks again everybody. I'm trying to learn...

Davey

I have a custom made wire harness for a 2 ton chevy. Is there a fuse box on a 1951? I found` an old picture a a glass(round fuse) box on the firewall but it crumbed when I touched it. What type of fuses and box do you all recommend based on your truck experiance? Harness looks great but I don't know where to put a fuse box. Help...

Virginia - the AD's didn't have a standard fuse block, hafta make do - the originals just used inline fuses for the add-on accessories - might use something like this which should be available at most auto parts stores, or maybe the one for the 5-9 TF years

you need fuses mostly for accessory stuff, which will be controlled from inside, so on the inside firwall or kick panel up high enuff to be outta sight, and while inline fuses would be fine, the panel gives an organized place for fuses on everything, like yer emerg stuff

Bill

It's gonna take me about 4 weeks the way I see it.

Davey

Thanks Red. I'm nervous about the electrical part of the restoration and want to get this right the first time.

That's not quite accurate.

On '47 AD's they had a complete fuse panel under the hood with six or eight fuses. By '51 they were using just two fuses under a cover near the regulator. Anything that didn't go through those two used an accessory inline fuse.

Hey Alan,
I just quickly glanced through your links.
Can your suggestions be applied to a '66 GMC with a 350 chevy v-8?
Thanks in advance.

Hey, JCF

They sure can, brother!

Woohoo! :p I am number #1! :p In your face! U.S.A.!
Just some Homerisms

This is still Davey. Sorry, changed to a different account for my own reason.

Finally ordered the printed circuit panel and wiring schematic for Venus today.

I'm stll doing the main wiring harness, when the money is available. One of them thangs. Couple of weeks only, hopefully. She'll pretty much sit till I have everything to do it all at once though.

Davey

Okay, so I guess I'm keeping a personsal log here, but that's okay. I think I'll finally be able to afford to order the wiring harness at the end of this week, which means I'll get it sometime next week, which means it'll be next weekend before I can start doing any work.

Still waiting on the schematic and circuit panel. Should be here sometime this week.

Alan, I'll look into the tip you offered about the harness itself. I was fixing to pay a slight bit more. Thanks!

Davey, I bought an 84 Blazer, for parts. I took the entire wire loom and fuse panel out, and I'll be using it in my 53. All the wires are in good shape, no splices. It had factory air, so all the circuits are there. Oh and it had AC, power windows, door locks etc.

Hope to order the wiring harness from EZWire in a couple of days. Just waiting for the Credit Card company to receive my payment.

Thanks for the advice Alan!

Still waiting for the other stuff I ordered to get delivered.

Hopefully April 8 we can take the truck to Homer's shop and get to work. He's gonna let me use the shop on weekends while they are closed. Much nicer than crawling around in the gravel/grass outside. Plus, a ton of tools which I certainly don't have.

Tick,tick,tick. Just waiting...

Finally got the wiring schematic diagram and printed circuit.

Kind of funny, but they used a good portion of a California newspaper as packing material.

As long as the stuff works, I don't care what they pack it with.

Here we go!!!

Ordering the EZ Wire Harness!

I'm paying extra money for the Express Shipment on this.