1955 F100... trk has 12 volt but gauges do not work and wiring is a mess. I need to redo this thing but I need some advice to keep from really messing up. It has a 272 Y block with 4 spd mustang trans...one wire alternator, someone rewired the rear with all yellow wires! Frt section is a big ball of junctions and black tape...gauges appear to be stock so I assume they are 6 volt...it is wired negative ground 12 volt. Put power steering with stock column but will need to redo the horn contact...the horns are aftermarket application 12 volt and replaced the fuel sending unit with what appears to be a 12 volt replacement but dash fuel gauge does not work...generator/amp gauge is only one that does work. Open for suggestions...thks for any help!

 

Sounds like you need an aftermarket wiring kit and start from scratch. "Big ball of junctions and black tape" does not sound like a good place to start troubleshooting and repair. Nor does wiring of the same color run for different circuits or functions. What is your experience with automotive wiring? What is your comfort level taking on a project?

 

I can rewire the thing I just need some good diagrams and always use others experience to not repeat others mistakes. Just trying to keep the cost down...

 

Sounds like a fun project. If you have the manual for working on the truck the electrical diagrams are shown in the back and they are greatly detailed. Currently in an airport so don't have my pictures of it but I'm sure one of these other guys have put it up some where. Take it slow, pin it out and good luck! If no one has put up the wiring diagram by this evening then I will have mine to add here for you.

 

Thank you...I had a wiring diagram from some kind of factory manual but it sure wasn't detailed. Never been involved with a convert to 12 volt from 6 volt or switching grounds so any advice or help is greatly appreciated. Even after doing the wiring I will be stuck with the question of factory gauges @ 6 volt being used to connect to a 12 volt system...that is probably the reason they didn't work when my son and I got this trk...

 

The factory wiring on these trucks is very basic and simple. Hopefully your stock gauges don't work because they aren't hooked up. You can get voltage reducers specifically for that. If you have a heater fan, you will have to change the motor or get a big dropping resistor. And although I don't do it personally, I wouldn't have a problem with mono-colored wiring as long as the wires are labeled or numbered (see military). And as far as the polarity change goes, you don't have to do anything except swap the primary wires on the ignition coil. Oh, and you will have to reverse the direction of the #10Y wire that passes through the ammeter sensing loop so it won't read backwards.



Ford truck '53-'55 wiring

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...8&d=1269497014

 

Here's another one-

 

I agree with just buying a new harness....spend the money on a new harness...no aggravation...everything is labeled ....I'm a back yard tinkerer at best and I have done all four of my trucks...2 tractors ...and a early bronco.....take your time read the directions and check everything 2 or 3 times you will have no problem.....

 

This thread helps me too. My truck was converted to 12v and lots isn't as it should be but I have updated front park lamps to 1157 bulbs and sockets so I have turn signals to.

 

I bought a Speedway 20 circuit harness. The instruction's are available on their website. I found them it very easy to follow. Good luck!

 

Got some of it worked out...someone has put several voltage reducers under the dash, haven’t had time to devote to sorting those out yet. It’s quite a project looks like but doable. Always harder to figure out what someone else has done than fix it from the start.

 

I would check with Sacramento Vintage Ford, or Mid 50's Ford and ask them about an orginal harness, Sac Builds their own in house I think about 250 $ I bought one for a 2 ton truck and did a little work to it and it worked perfect, I don't like any of the after market kits as I see too many people asking for help to fix a problem.

 

Keep on it Rio68, I’m currently rewiring our old 6volt 55 F350, don’t forget to take apart the switches and buttons and clean the contacts. It will make a huge difference. We converted ours to 12 volt but still running the 6 volt gauges as we picked up as 12 volt to 6 volt converter and installed a separate fuse block just for 6 volt. Trick is to focus only on one system at a time and not all of them or it will be quite overwhelming.

Good luck!

Here is a picture of the converter

 

I need to add a fuse block for sure...this truck ha been rigged for sure. Seems they didn't fix problems, just added more wires...lol!

 

This is an old post, but interesting to read. Doing the same thing 1955 6 volt to 12 volt conversion. After market gauge system nothing worked, except for the mechanical gauges. The rest was not hooked up. Previous owner just installed a Pep Boys universal battery and blew the light switch to bits. I drove the truck 590 miles home no lites. Got home and the right rear tire went boom. Had to laugh about that. A week later I broke my Knick in a fall. And my F-100:sat for five years. Just kept it clean and did a little work on it but not much. Started out by cutting all that black tape and using a continuity checker to locate and identify wires. If I found a wire with a bunch of splices I replaced it with the right color wire. Now I got most of it replaced short of a few things, but when I pull on the light switch the lights come on but the stop lights and turn signals quit working. The stop light switch routes thru the turn signals six wire turn signal switch. Question is where did I go wrong?