Iam new to this forum just arrived.I found this cute little 51 sleeping for about 20 years.i put a new fuel pump,carb,plugs points cond.Fired her up and she runs like a dream. Now my problem is the wiring,Wow Looks like who ever worked on her last did not take any care how to run wire looks like a fiberoptic cable blown apart. I would like to wire myself instead of buying a new kit.Any help out there?
Thanks George

 

welcome to FTE...need some clarification...not sure what your needing help with...there are several types of kits out there...i suggest you do you do a search, you can go original cloth braided, or new kits like painless, reble wire EZ-wire...you name it...if your wanting to wore it yourself, then before you rip out the old I'd suggest you re-wire sections at a time, you can get diagrams by doing a search as well, if you don't have one...good luck!

 

Very first thing you have to do is get a shop manual. It will have 99.5% of the information you need to work on your truck, the rest you'll find here. Shop manual can be bought from any place that sell reproduction Ford truck parts, Mac's is a advertiser of this site and they'll have one. I think they're around $35, worth every penny.

Second, what is your skill level for wiring? I wired both of my truck from scratch, I don't need no stinkin' premade wire harness. I also wire industrial control systems for a living and have literally thousands of feet of wire of different gauges and colors so wiring my truck is fairly easy. If you're a novice at wiring I strongly suggest you buy either a reproduction wire harness or an after market kit from the many places that sell them. EZ is the one I've heard a lot about. If you go for a OEM type harness stay away from reproduction harnesses made like the original harness. They are made with the crappy clothe type wire and it'll wear and fray just like the original. There are companies who make OEM looking harnesses using modern materials but covered to make them look like OEM.

Do a search of the FTE site for all the information you're looking for. Since you only have one post you won't be able to use the FTE site search feature but you can do just as good search using Google. Use my name and Julies Cool F1 in your search criteria and you'll find wiring diagrams, they are from the shop manual.

Welcome to FTE!!

Here is a post explaing how to use Googel to search FTE:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7429325

 

Hi George - Welcome to FTE

The folks here are always great in giving sound advice. I think you will find this place an invaluable asset.

It sounds like your truck is in great working condition. The wiring is something that if not done correctly will haunt you forever and if done right, will never need to be addressed again. So I think you've made a great decision to take care of it.

Wiring yourself depends more of your state of intimidation than being technically difficult. If you look at it, it's simply connecting two contact points with a single piece of wire. In my opinion, wiring yourself is easier and cleaner than trying to manage and maneuver a premade harness - which you eventually have to cut and put the connectors on anyway. But that's just personal preference.

Now admittedly (and this is where Bobs statement about experience comes in) it really does help if you know how to properly place on your connectors without exposed wire, and run it cleanly. And I also agree with Bob on the cloth wire. That also is a matter of personal choice based on the "correctness level" of your restoration. Daily drive as is - forget the cloth wire.

So, let's take things one step further: Shop manual is an absolute must. All the Repro parts places sell them new-reprinted. But you can find them at less expensive sources and on e-bay. They come on CD and hard cover. I might be tempted to get one of each - I usually look on the computer for a drawing or procedure first (simply because it's easier to read) then use my book out in the shop.

Here's today e-bay list for 51 Ford Truck Shop Manuals:

1951 Ford Truck Shop Manual items - Get great deals on E-bay Motors, Collectibles items on eBay.com!

Note that some do or do not include the "1952 Supplement." That supplement has a lot of good upgrades and I would definitely recommend you buy the Shop Manual with the 1952 Supplement (it's printed right on the cover of the book). There's no price diff - just something to be aware of.

Here's another place that's good for documentation:

Search

If you are looking for parts, here's two links to some great on line parts places and the Resto parts places I referred to earlier:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-to-socal.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/901018-1950.html

Now down to wiring. I rewired my 51 from scratch as you are wanting to do. I converted it to 12 volt as well. It was VERY simple to do, but there are a few little things that may generate some questions - like heater motors or wiper switches (if yours are electric). You can get the answers to those questions here if they come up. We've discussed them many times and at length!!

I have generated a full set of MS Power Point color wiring schematics that show not only the engine and lights wiring very well, but also large drawings of the various components (headlight switches, starter solenoids, etc) plus a complete A to Z rewire guide. The guide talks about theory, but also lists materials and tools needed, sizes of wire, 12 volt conversion, links to electrical parts suppliers, and has my rewire written out step-by-step.

I am happy to share these with the members, but because of the formats they are in they are difficult to post here in their entirety, I have to send them to you via regular e-mail. These drawings can be are enlarged, printed and modified. So, for example, if you use different wire colors than my lines show, you can change them to what you used, and in the end have a custom wiring diagram specifically for your truck. That comes in handy if you want to add anything, or chafe a wire later and have to trouble shoot.

Feel free to send me an e-mail at babbiebuddie@***.net and I'll be happy to send those to you.

Here's a sample:



Hope to hear from you and again Welcome to FTE!

 

Thank every one for your support.This forum will really be invaluable great to have so many knowledgeable people.I dont think i can spell.
Thank you George

 

Most of us breath, eat and sleep old Ford trucks. It's a sickness, take a look at my signature.

 

Hi George!

I got your e-mail and the drawings/documents are on the way. If you need any help feel free to ask!