I have a 1954 F100. Would like to go to 12 volt. I have everything figured out except one item. I want to keep the factory gauge package. It has fuel gauge,temp gauge, & oil gauge. If i go to 12 volt what do i have to do to keep gauges working right? I am going to a one wire alt. I am switching all the bulbs out. I'm leaving the starter alone and keeping my cranking time down. I will change my coil out and install one with a internal resister. Thanks for reading.

 

you need a constant voltage regulator, Mac's antique auto carries them for about $25 bucks. Mounts to the back of the instrument cluster 12v in, 6v out to power the gauges.

 

I recently changed my 54 to 12V. I rewired my truck with a kit from American Auto Wire. I kept my original gauges also. I picked up a instrument cluster voltage reducer from Napa...a little pricey, but I didn't have to wait for it to be shipped.




Works like a champ.

 

Got my electronic voltage reducer from DC. Works perfect.




As for the one-wire alternator, it's very simple. Just follow the direction of the red wire. Don't forget to remove the old redundant wiring.


F-6 Electrical X

 

Did you convert it to neg ground?
Also not to jump your thread, I have done the same conversion, but have a 302 now and wondered about installing an electric oil pressure and water temp sensors and hooking to the original gauges. Not sure how accurate they would be? My fuel gauge works fine as does my amp gauge.

 

You can use the original sending units with the original gauges with no problems. If your original gauges were six volts then you will need a voltage reducer for the gauges. The polarity doesn't matter, it's the resistance in the sending units that does.

 

Changed the sending units for the oil & Water temp to original flat head units . Works great. I bench tested the water temp with the gauge before I installed it and recorded actual temp reading at the gauge points.