6volt gauges
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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6volt gauges
I am building 1955 f100 and plan on useing original gauges with 12 volt battery I know amp gauge won't be a problem so what do I use and were do I put it for gas,temp,oil pressure Thanks Mike
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
There are several types of voltage reducers available for handling this. Google "RUNTZ voltage reducer" for one of the most common ones. They will only handle a maximum of two guages, so you'd need a few. A cheap alternative is a factory Ford reducer. Ford continued using 6V guages up into the 70's. You can find a little rectangular tin can instrument voltage regulator attached to the back of the instrument cluster in 12V vehicles of that era. They're cheap, easy to find, and work great for 12V conversions.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
A couple of key points. You can choose to replace your 6 volt gauges with 12 volt (sold at LMC) - they come with new 12 vot sending units - for about $300-$400.
If you use the 6 volt gauges with voltage reducers, you MUST use the original 6 volt sending units for each gauge as well.
You can convert your electrick oil and temp to mechanical. It's a fairly easy surgery, but your electric gas gauge you are kind of stuck with. That is how I handled my 6 volt gauges on my 51.
I have a gallery with pictures and instructions on how to install the mechanical gauges in your present housings.
Here is a thread on using the voltage reducers on the gauges. Disreguard the goegraphical differences between the 51 inst. panel and the 55 set up, electrically , the procedure and the flow path/wire hook ups are the same. I recommend you use one reducer per gauge.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...12-volt-2.html
If you use the 6 volt gauges with voltage reducers, you MUST use the original 6 volt sending units for each gauge as well.
You can convert your electrick oil and temp to mechanical. It's a fairly easy surgery, but your electric gas gauge you are kind of stuck with. That is how I handled my 6 volt gauges on my 51.
I have a gallery with pictures and instructions on how to install the mechanical gauges in your present housings.
Here is a thread on using the voltage reducers on the gauges. Disreguard the goegraphical differences between the 51 inst. panel and the 55 set up, electrically , the procedure and the flow path/wire hook ups are the same. I recommend you use one reducer per gauge.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...12-volt-2.html
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 815
Likes: 4
From: mountaintop, Pa
There are several types of voltage reducers available for handling this. Google "RUNTZ voltage reducer" for one of the most common ones. They will only handle a maximum of two guages, so you'd need a few. A cheap alternative is a factory Ford reducer. Ford continued using 6V guages up into the 70's. You can find a little rectangular tin can instrument voltage regulator attached to the back of the instrument cluster in 12V vehicles of that era. They're cheap, easy to find, and work great for 12V conversions.
I'll second this, cheap, easy and works.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Auburn, Il
Hey cookieman. I'm not sure which way your wanting to go but I ave the set that was in my 55, they worked fine and they were already 12 volt. Ill get a pic of them for you if you want and as for price i'm sure we can figure something out or possably make a trade (I'm pretty cheap and easy myself)...lol
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Shiner, Texas
Look at the HAMB... there is a really good post on how to build a solid state voltage reducers for about $3 each... you need one for each guage except the ammeter. These are simular to the runtz reducers that sell for $18 each. I did this on my 51 F-5... works great, lasts a long time
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Here's the link to the H.A.M.B Post on the voltage reducer. I guess it's a matter of your time VS the extra $45 to buy off the shelf.
How to Build a Voltage Regulator for $3 - THE H.A.M.B.
How to Build a Voltage Regulator for $3 - THE H.A.M.B.
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Junior User
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tardster, I would be interested if you would let me know what you have to have for them you can send me private e-mail if you like Thanks,Mike
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