Short storie ending in FIRE!

[Zombie54]

Well after driving my 54 all week to work, not a single problem mind you.
I had some friends over for a few sodas and what not. We were hanging in the garage, so I say jump in and check out the truck. So two of my buddies did. "can I start it one said" well sure i said. But at the turn of the key, my other friend stated he saw a spark under the dash. About the time I stick my head in....Fire. All of my under dash wireing caught on fire. but luckly it was just the wireing and it burnt it self out before I even knew what to do....WoW I have the best luck. But in the end no major damage and a new winter project I guess. So who knows the best way to go about rewireing.
buy a kit or run the wires my self?

 

[Larrys 48]

Bummer

Our host seels an easy to install basic harness. Make sure to install a cut off switch in the main feed. It would have stopped the damage...don't ask me how I know.

 

[Kens 50 PU]

Not a good thing!

Man, I hate to hear that! Thank goodness that it put itself out before it torched the whole truck! I've got to agree with Larry on this one! Get a wiring harness from our host. I've been very pleased with mine and they are very easy to install. Wiring a truck from scratch can really be a pain, and if you've had previous electrical problems, why take the chance?

Money well spent!

 

[ol' chebby]

Start here.
https://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=9536

I used an EZ Wire kit with the mini fuse box. I have installed 3 of them, with great results. Ask if you have any questions.

 

[Zombie54]

Hey thanks for the help. Yeah luckly it didn't. Sound like thats what i will end up doing. Im just thankfull that I was not crusing down the road with my daughter....

 

[ol' chebby]

Most of these trucks only had 2 fuses....for the brake and tail lights. After all these years the cloth wrapped wires are rapidly shedding insulation and shorting out. Who knows what the DPOs have hacked/ modified/ patched under there. EVERY one of these trucks NEED a wire harness

 

[vwnate1]

Wiring :K.I.S.S.

Be sure to order up new firewall grommets where the harness passes through as this is the only time you can install them .

I vote for stock harness as it's simple and cheap , lasted for 50 years unlike any aftermarket thing .

Some years have a large multiple fuse box on the firewall , find out what year (1949 for sure) and buy a basic stock harness and new fusebox and you're good t go .

 

[ccharr]

1948, 3804 had the black box on the fire wall.