1954 Wiring Please Help
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 65
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From: Lawrence, KS
1954 Wiring Please Help
To precede my question, let me just say, I'm in over my head, but there is no turning back now!
Facts: 1954 F-100 223 Already converted to 12v neg ground. New Delco 3 wire alt. Purchased a 21 wire EZ Wire kit.
What I have done so far.
1. Installed the fuse box onto firewall above break pedals.
2. Ran the tail section bundle through firewall and down along drivers side
to rear of bed.
3. Installed an in column turning signal switch.
4. Installed a new electric wiper motor.
5. Cleaned gauge cluster and installed new bulbs and pigtails.
6. Removed seat in truck to make it easier to work inside cab.
7. Ran the front wires through firewall.
8. Tore out all old wires.
I have many questions, so I am going with low hanging fruit first.
Kit has a light green wire coming from provided horn wire harness to front section, and a blue-green wire coming from same harness to front section. My horn wire on truck comes from horn, through the column and out the steering box. I have a horn on each side. (Actually there are two horns on each side, as I assume one set does not work.) There is also, the old horn relay on the passenger side firewall (engine side) above the solenoid, which I am guessing I wont need anymore due to the new horn relay wired into the new fuse box.
Can anyone help me figure out how to wire the horns?
Thanks,
Michael
Facts: 1954 F-100 223 Already converted to 12v neg ground. New Delco 3 wire alt. Purchased a 21 wire EZ Wire kit.
What I have done so far.
1. Installed the fuse box onto firewall above break pedals.
2. Ran the tail section bundle through firewall and down along drivers side
to rear of bed.
3. Installed an in column turning signal switch.
4. Installed a new electric wiper motor.
5. Cleaned gauge cluster and installed new bulbs and pigtails.
6. Removed seat in truck to make it easier to work inside cab.
7. Ran the front wires through firewall.
8. Tore out all old wires.
I have many questions, so I am going with low hanging fruit first.
Kit has a light green wire coming from provided horn wire harness to front section, and a blue-green wire coming from same harness to front section. My horn wire on truck comes from horn, through the column and out the steering box. I have a horn on each side. (Actually there are two horns on each side, as I assume one set does not work.) There is also, the old horn relay on the passenger side firewall (engine side) above the solenoid, which I am guessing I wont need anymore due to the new horn relay wired into the new fuse box.
Can anyone help me figure out how to wire the horns?
Thanks,
Michael
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Didn't EZ-Wire provide a wiring schematic? Might be worth calling them.
One wire is probably power from the relay to the horns, the other is likely a wire that gets grounded when you hit the horn button, to close the relay.
One wire is probably power from the relay to the horns, the other is likely a wire that gets grounded when you hit the horn button, to close the relay.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 326
Likes: 33
From: Florida
Mike,
I also rewired my entire 54 about a year and a half ago. I stripped out every wire before I started and before my truck could start on fire. I think every wire was original and most of the insulation was cracked and falling off. I don't know how it didn't short out and start a fire. Unfortunately, I have since moved and the truck and all my notes and wiring details are in storage until our house construction is complete. I used the EZ21 wire system which was very easy. I did call the company a couple of times to clarify some things but otherwise there was nothing to it and it was fun. As for the horn system, I think I did not use a relay. As much as the horn gets used I don't think the relay is necessary. I have since removed the original horn wire from the steering column and put a button on the dash because I am converting to power steering and the wire can no longer run down the column and out the box.
Like your truck, mine was already convereted to 12 volt, negative ground and it has a GM one wire alternator. I did move some of the new wires from one cluster to another to make the routing work out better for each area of the truck. I rewired every light and the instrument cluster. These truck wire systems are so simple to work on, it is just alot of fun.
I also rewired my entire 54 about a year and a half ago. I stripped out every wire before I started and before my truck could start on fire. I think every wire was original and most of the insulation was cracked and falling off. I don't know how it didn't short out and start a fire. Unfortunately, I have since moved and the truck and all my notes and wiring details are in storage until our house construction is complete. I used the EZ21 wire system which was very easy. I did call the company a couple of times to clarify some things but otherwise there was nothing to it and it was fun. As for the horn system, I think I did not use a relay. As much as the horn gets used I don't think the relay is necessary. I have since removed the original horn wire from the steering column and put a button on the dash because I am converting to power steering and the wire can no longer run down the column and out the box.
Like your truck, mine was already convereted to 12 volt, negative ground and it has a GM one wire alternator. I did move some of the new wires from one cluster to another to make the routing work out better for each area of the truck. I rewired every light and the instrument cluster. These truck wire systems are so simple to work on, it is just alot of fun.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 191
From: Wharton, PA
Kit has a light green wire coming from provided horn wire harness to front section, and a blue-green wire coming from same harness to front section. My horn wire on truck comes from horn, through the column and out the steering box. I have a horn on each side. (Actually there are two horns on each side, as I assume one set does not work.) There is also, the old horn relay on the passenger side firewall (engine side) above the solenoid, which I am guessing I wont need anymore due to the new horn relay wired into the new fuse box.
Can anyone help me figure out how to wire the horns?
Thanks,
Michael
That is what I liked about the American Autowire kit I purchased besides being color coded each wire had what it went to stamped on it.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS
Thank you all for your replies. The wiring kit comes with some instructions, but very vague at some points for someone like me.
The light green wire that comes into the dash section is labeled horn switch, and the blue green wire going to the front is labeled horn. So by your recommendation, I am guessing the horn switch button should be connected to the wire that comes from my horn button, and the blue green wire should be split and routed to my horns. The old relay should not be used.
Does this sound right?
The light green wire that comes into the dash section is labeled horn switch, and the blue green wire going to the front is labeled horn. So by your recommendation, I am guessing the horn switch button should be connected to the wire that comes from my horn button, and the blue green wire should be split and routed to my horns. The old relay should not be used.
Does this sound right?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 182
Likes: 3
From: Frisco, TX
Thank you all for your replies. The wiring kit comes with some instructions, but very vague at some points for someone like me.
The light green wire that comes into the dash section is labeled horn switch, and the blue green wire going to the front is labeled horn. So by your recommendation, I am guessing the horn switch button should be connected to the wire that comes from my horn button, and the blue green wire should be split and routed to my horns. The old relay should not be used.
Does this sound right?
The light green wire that comes into the dash section is labeled horn switch, and the blue green wire going to the front is labeled horn. So by your recommendation, I am guessing the horn switch button should be connected to the wire that comes from my horn button, and the blue green wire should be split and routed to my horns. The old relay should not be used.
Does this sound right?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
The horns draw a lot of power, I would use a relay. I thought you said the new power panel had a relay for the horn in it? If there is a relay in the power panel, you don't need another one. If there isn't, then I'd find a 12v relay off a junkyard car and wire that in on the firewall.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 65
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From: Lawrence, KS
Yes the kit came with a horn relay attached to the fuse box. I was talking about removing the original horn relay inside the engine compartment.
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From: Durham NC
Note that the EZ wire kit is designed for more modern wiring of the steering column such as an aftermarket or late model (gm) column. Ford's way of wiring the column horn button/horn is backwards to most other in column horn buttons. I don't have a diagram of the actual wiring changes you will need to make tho since I replaced my column with an Ididit.
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