This is not my first "upgrade" of a vehicle, but it is my oldest.

Can someone recommend a book on the 54 F100? I have seen the 54-55 Shop Manual advertised and have considered getting it.

The truck was converted from 6V to 12V.

I need a wiring diagram. The truck was run in the last 6 months, but I'm very concerned about the wiring and will not start it till, at a minimum, the ignition system is rewired. I have seen a couple of wiring diagrams on-line, but none are exactly for this truck.

Can someone recommend a basic wiring harness? I plan to stay as original as possible (12V) and will not add a radio or other options. It does have a heater.

Did this truck come with turn signals? There are none, but there are non-illuminated left and right arrows on the instrument panel.

thanks for your help

 

Welcome to the world of mid fifty Ford trucks! And welcome to FTE!

First off you have to show us pictures of your truck and secondly be sure to buy the shop manual. There is a wiring diagram in it. You will find it useful for many things.

Trucks did come with turn signals as an option, either from the factory or added at the dealer. BTW 1954 trucks were 6 volt. Good luck!

 

Welcome to the sickness!

There's really not much to these, electrically. The 12v conversion (I assume negative ground?) raises some issues, particularly with the gauges and heater fan motor. If you are staying stock, you can buy exact repro harnesses off eBay for reasonable prices, and it looks better than most home jobs.

But will you be adding 12v accessories, like an electric wiper, stereo, etc.? If so, a totally stock harness will not cover those. The stock system also only has two circuit breakers, no fuses, and most folks want a little better protection.

Here is a thread on the gauge situation:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...l#post14124286

Here is one on replacement 12v heater fan motors, but mostly for the older trucks. The parts sources are probably the same for yours:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...t-reducer.html

 

So, hopefully your heater motor, wiper motor, lights and bulbs, generator are all twelve volt. I bought the rebel wiring harness 9+3 kit. It is a basic kit but has room for extras in the future.
Congrats on your purchase. Lots of helpful and very knowledgeable guys on here. (I'm not in the same ballpark as most of the guys here, but am still having fun)

 

Welcome! We try to be as friendly and helpful as possible here, but sometimes questions don't have a simple answer (or one at all).
1. There is no such thing as a wiring diagram for a truck that has a 6V - 12V conversion. Every one was done "backyard", some better than others. Most have found the best solution is to remove all the 60 year old (and PO installed) probably disintegrating, wiring and starting over from scratch with a new aftermarket fuse panel and wiring harness. A couple popular and well priced ones are by EZ Wiring, and Speedway Motors. The original 54 setup was 6V Pos ground and just used a couple breakers to protect the wiring instead of a fuse panel. Second alternative would be to use a reproduction OEM replacement 6 V wiring harness ($$$ but easier if you are afraid of wiring) to rewire as stock to have all new wires then redo the 6V +grd to 12V - grd conversion over again doing your own documentation of how you did it. 6V requires heavier wire sizes than 12V, so the replacement 6V harness will easily handle the load at 12V, but will not leave expansion/accessory room.
One of the best books on the 54 is FREE! Call Mid Fifty Home - Mid Fifty F-100 Parts and ask them to send you one of their free catalogs. There is a wealth of very useful information and diagrams in there (including stock wiring diagrams) as well as almost all the parts available for replacement and/or modifying your truck. In many ways it is better than a shop manual. The gals at MF are some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable/helpful in the business.

 

Thanks for the very useful information.
I plan to order the shop manual this weekend. I already have the LMC and the Mid Fifty cataloges.

The more time I can spend tracing wires and looking at the wireing diagram, the better I'll get to know this truck.

I have no idea when it was converted to 12V, but most likely when it was purchased used in 1960. The title was still in the name of that purchaser, but all the inheiritance documents were in order and I got a clear title.

If I can just get that bathroom remodel finished, maybe I can start this project......