What's the best way to get working gauges in a 1948 truck? Do I need to replace them with 12v or can I get originals to work? If I replace what fits the original dash panel?

Thanks in advance.

 

I think you can get a voltage reducer to go from 12 to six. That way you can keep your stock 6v gauges. LMC has them for about 13 or 14 bucks.

 

Piece of cake with a resistor ballast. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ms...FY89gQodOVUMiQ

 

Those are for ignition coils and not for gauges, also the ceramic ballast have a fairly high failure rate.
Here is a quote from Speedway regarding use of the ceramic reducers..
You can get Runtz reducers for individual gauges or reducers for all the gauges. Classic Haulers offers a variety of reducers. (Note the lower amp for gauges)

1948-55 Ford F-100 Voltage Reducer, Electronic, Gauges 1.5 A

 

A few basic tools and you can make your own:

 

I agree the L7806 is a good way to reduce 12V to 6V.


My question is: since the polarity of 12V is negative ground and the polarity of 6V is positive ground, should the terminals on the gauges need to be wired reversed (power input and sender wires reversed) because the power goes the opposite direction?


Thanks,...jack