Advice from Uncle Skip, please

blulightman · Post by **blulightman** » November 21, 2008, 1:30 pm

I have gradually gathered parts and information to upgrade the electrical system on my '66, one component being the power distribution box from an '89 ford pickup. Your mention in tips and tricks of converting portions of your own power system to toggles has my intrest, as I have the same desire. I plan on having a remote battery location with a disconnect provision for anti-theft at my remote mounted starter relay. I will have uninterrupted circuits as needed. Being my daily driver I cannot plan a complete electrical upgrade at once. since my mechanical ventures have rarely but often enough disabled my truck rather than repair it, I am planning an incremental upgrade, starting with my battery and distribution location, then with headlight relays being the first phase of the project. I plan on including all the new wiring for turns, markers, horns, washer, and any other component that can share the routing, but will terminate those portions as other parts are installed (steering column, headlight switch, toggle panel)
My questions to you. Is my aproach flawed? would you please share your experience and insights on this project?
respectfully,
Leonard Hayes

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » November 21, 2008, 4:42 pm

Leonard.
First, I'm honored that you would ask me to help you out.
Of course I'd be happy to assist as much as possible.
Since this is going to be a long term affair, contact me thru e-mail and we can discuss it without bogging down the forum.
If you're not into restoration, I see no reason not to do it the way you like it.
But I think you need to plan things out so you don't have to go back over and over to change things.
Lets think it through and talk about it.
Uncle Skip (in Houston)

Moose · Post by **Moose** » November 21, 2008, 6:52 pm

Leonard I also have some insight that can help if you need a little extra. I know that skip is the man when it comes to new ideas, and I know there are a few others here as well.

I have often thought about moving some of the electrical stuff around myself, and will be starting on a system rework here pretty soon too.

If you want to bounce any ideas back and forth you can hollar at me too.

Moose

blulightman · Post by **blulightman** » November 22, 2008, 12:41 am

I appreciate the responsees. I'll contact each of you via pm. thanks and good night

qwertyd10n · Post by **qwertyd10n** » November 28, 2008, 12:26 pm

Hey guys,

I'd love to see the discussions you are having privately... I can see myself doing some wiring in the near future.

Cheers,
Dion

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » November 28, 2008, 3:55 pm

If you want to get in on the conversation about the wiring project, send me an e-mail and I'll include you in all of our information exchange.
I'm glad to help.
Be sure to let me know by e-mail what exactly you want to do to your truck because I'm walking a couple of guys thru it now and I really don't want to do it more than once if I don't have to.
Uncle Skip

don luster · Post by **don luster** » November 28, 2008, 4:52 pm

Dont go to private mail let us all have a change to pitch in with a point or questions. I don't think it will bog down the system. In my opinion thats what this is all about. Don

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » November 28, 2008, 5:58 pm

I agree. I would love to watch the thread

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » November 28, 2008, 6:02 pm

don luster wrote:Dont go to private mail let us all have a change to pitch in with a point or questions. I don't think it will bog down the system. In my opinion thats what this is all about. Don

Yeah, nothin' personal, but I have asked guys who PM me with questions to please do it on the forum. Good advice such as that from Unc Scip should generally viewable!

blulightman · Post by **blulightman** » November 29, 2008, 12:45 am

I'm happy to share what I am learning and thinking as my rewiring project advances. Currently I've assembled a variety of various gauge strand wire, 16, 14, 12, 10 and even 8. Since I plan to convert some existing switches to toggle and add new switched applications, I've collected those. I've harvested a good selection of multiple conductor plugs at my parts yard (thanks skip) and a power distribution box from an '89 f150.
My next endeavor will be to draft my wiring diagrams and potential routing paths incorporating all the mods I've decided on. I've spent considerable time studying various wiring and appointment arrays of various vehicles, foriegn included. so I'm ready to put it on paper. I'll share that as my drafts progress.

bobenhotep · Post by **bobenhotep** » November 29, 2008, 6:47 am

I started to wire the 63 also , but took a different approach. I've mostly worked as a mechanic my adult life but it was on military vehicles and tractor trailers.

SO, my truck wiring is getting less and less like a truck and more like a semi, with a thermal breaker on the low beams( which run through a relay) and so on...

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » December 1, 2008, 7:10 pm

OK.
I just posted installment #1 in the hints and tricks forum under Wiring 101.
I know there are a lot of you guys out there who already know how to do this stuff so humor us.
This is for the guys like me that are not wiring experts and there is a method to my madness.
Feel free to express your opinions here or by PM, but please don't comment on that particular thread so it can stay clean and readible.
Thanks for staying with me on this,
U@ss