I an having trouble finding the proper
voltage reducer for the gauges on 1949 F-1.
as I am upgrading to 12 volt, but using
the original gauges--do I need a voltage
reducer for each gauge?

 

Hey Andy - welcome to FTE.

You may want to do a search in the '48 to '60 forum. I recall seeing quit a bit of discussion on 12v conversions there. Then, if you still can't find what you're looking for, ask in that forum. The guys are very knowledgeable and there's alot more traffic in that forum.

Unfortunately, not many of us '47 & older truck owners here.

Here's a link to one of many posts within the '48-'60 forum on this issue:
[https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/48_60/984.html]

Good luck on your conversion.

 

Hi '49 Andy,
On the back of your instrument cluster you will find that your gauges are connected by a buss strip that feeds power to the oil, fuel and temp. gauges. You should be able to purchase a 12v to 6 v voltage reducer from a NAPA or similar chain that would do the job.When installing it, remove the wire feeding the buss on the instrument cluster and attach it to one side of the voltage reducer, then run another wire from the other side of the reducer back to the buss and you should have it.Now all of your 6 volt sending units will work with 12 volts. The wire that goes through the loop on the ammeter will have to be removed and fed back through the loop in the opposite direction to allow for the change in polarity for the 12 volt system. I did this on my own trucks over 20 years ago and they still are working.
Leverett Fernald