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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Quick Wiring ?

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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 06:54 PM
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Quick Wiring ?

So I am starting to go over my 49 F4. It looks like someone put a 12 volt battery and wired it for positive ground. Everything else seems to be catered to the original 6 volt positive ground. Much of the wiring is dismal and sketchy with many bare wiring/splices. I plan on re-wiring the whole thing myself, so I can customize as needed.

I ordered a 6 volt positive ground one wire alternator to be the heart of the system. I AM CURRENTLY looking for a 3 door Recirculating heater/defroster for the truck to replace the one I have. Here are my questions.......

What gauge wire do I want to run for the various circuts?
What gauge should I be using for the 6 volt battery cables?

Any other pointers for my system?


 
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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 08:03 PM
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For the battery and starter cables, you should be using the heaviest gauge you can, at least 00 by most accounts.

The wiring diagram information can be found in the shop manual or you can purchase a colorful printed diagram form here https://classiccarwiring.com/product...wiring-diagram

Instead of making it up wire by wire, many would suggest getting an original style 6V harness set from Chuck's Trucks LLC. He is best dealt with by phone and may also be a have in his inventory serviceable used components for your brake booster and heater units that you are seeking.

One last tip is to install the new harness as you go along but by bit removing the old harness.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 08:11 PM
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Yeah, Chucks Trucks is who I am getting the booster from! I do have the owners manual and truck manual, but I do not remember seeing wire gauge sizes. I was going to do a whole wiring harness for easy plug and play, but the one wire alternator will eliminate a ton of wires from the harness.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by BBF4
Yeah, Chucks Trucks is who I am getting the booster from! I do have the owners manual and truck manual, but I do not remember seeing wire gauge sizes. I was going to do a whole wiring harness for easy plug and play, but the one wire alternator will eliminate a ton of wires from the harness.
The one wire alternator will only remove the external regulator and not substantially deviate to warrant avoiding use of the full harness set. As for wire gauge, I recall most are 14 or 16. If you follow the advice for going bit by bit, you can replace in kind as you go along.

Another pointer is that some of the bullet connectors Ford liked to use all over in this era are of a somewhat obtuse size as opposed to the more common .157 and .197 found today. These are roughly a .180 size connector (probably .177 in practice). The following series from Napa work in this instance:

14-16 awg Male 724304
14-16 awg Female 724114
18-22 awg Male 724103
18-22 awg Female 724112

You can also try the original Ford part number B-14486 for male reproductions. However, it usually isn't clear if the vendor will supply crimp on or solder on versions. Some vendors have reportedly intermingled stock which is disappointing. The female/female is B-14487.

 
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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 08:58 PM
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Another quick question....does the 6 volt coil have an internal resistor? If so, what ohms?
 
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Old Apr 1, 2024 | 09:16 PM
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The 6V ignition coil does not have an internal resistor. The Ford documentation has the primary resistance as just over 1 ohm, and secondary resistance at 4100 ohms.
 
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