New Guy Old Truck

[al's28/33]

Keep it original and in your family! Pass it down to the next generation. Once you sell it and get the $$$ MONEY, you'll never have your truck again and later spend the money and you'll feel bad you have an empty garage!

[Brendan]

hears mine! have fun with it. i think it was kool that it was your Grampas

[Teltruck]

My Fathers restored 1936 Ford New England Telephone and Telegraph Instalation and Repair Truck (L.I.U.)
Bob

[bpaupst]

Beautiful truck, hoping mine looks that good when its done!

[Joshbarts]

Well I introduced myself and disappeared. That’s not very nice. I still have the truck. Trust me... its not going anywhere. What happened was... In the meantime i decided to get a Masters degreee (MBA). I couldn’t focus on that and the truck at the same time. One or the other deserved my undivided attention. Well, I finish in three weeks. Time to celebrate. My reward... get the truck in tip top driving condition.

Truck has been pulled out of long term storage (the back of my shop) and into a prominent position in the house garage (my spot). The first thing was getting new tires. They should be here any day.

Next on my list is new electrical. I am having some trouble with this. Too much research and not enough knowledge. The harness in the truck is original. It’s dry, brittle, and broken in many places. I need to replace everything except the battery cables. I have looked into everything from cheapo low circuit count universal harnesses to full on highest priced cloth reproduced original harnesses. I am stuck there. I know there are lots of opinions on this and have read a lot of them. Knowing what you know from this thread about this truck and me what kind of recommendations can you offer.

I know it probably doesn’t help but I am also torn between keeping it 6v or converting to 12v. I don’t know what to do.... help?

[tomcarman]

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Originally Posted by al's28/33

Keep it original and in your family! Pass it down to the next generation. Once you sell it and get the $$$ MONEY, you'll never have your truck again and later spend the money and you'll feel bad you have an empty garage!

If it were mine I would replace all the wiring with original type reproduction and try and keep it as original as possible. I understand the brittle and broken wiring. If it starts, runs and drives on 6V then....If ain't broke don't fix it. What would your Grandpa do? Love the truck and photos. Great story.

[alanwoodieman]

replace now the main harness-dash/under hood, patch the rest and replace as money/time permit. just put a battery disconnect for safety

[MGG]

One thing I would not skimp on is the wiring. It is too important. I have used both Sacramento Vintage Ford and Tyree Harris with success. There is much information on wiring here if you do a search.

[GB SISSON]

I have 3 running 47 trucks. Two on 12 v and one on six..... They all start when I need them to and run quite nicely. The six volter has all gauges working correctly, and nothing hay-wired. The 12 v ones all have gauge and other problems related to resistors and other after market devices. Electrics has always been my downfall in the hobby, but I DO love the sound of cranking on six volts compared to the gnashing/spinning of 12 volts. I say wire it for six and if you go to 12, you will be on 'overkill', because six volt has larger wire. Love that 36, and congrats on your upcoming graduation. That's a real milestone!

[51504bat]

I'm a 12 volt guy but there are tons of guys here who swear by 6volt systems as long as the connections are clean with good grounds and proper size cables. I'm partial to YnZ wiring in Redlands, CA for original high quality wiring. (909) 798-1498 They can add extra circuits for turn signals, etc. Not cheap but excellent quality.

[JSeery]

Rhode Island is another source. I think you would be much better of with the original style wiring. 6v or 12v isn't much of an issue wiring wise, the original style wiring is good for both.

http://www.riwire.com/

[Joshbarts]

Wow! What great feedback from the forum. After the reading I have done, and your responses, my thoughts are to keep it 6v and get a harness from either Sacramento Vintage Ford or Rhode Island Wire.



I would like to keep it as original as possible. If I cheap out then every time I look in there I am going to regret it.

[19Fordy]

True. Don't cheap out.

Some things, like not installing the correct wiring harness, will gnaw at you as you will be reminded of it every time you flip the switch. Plus, remember, your grandpa is watching you.

[38bill]

Great old truck. I see the plates are from Minnesota. What part of MN did you relatives live in?

[Joshbarts]

Originally Posted by 38bill

Great old truck. I see the plates are from Minnesota. What part of MN did you relatives live in?

The family farm that my grandpa started was in Thief River Falls.

[36and63]

IMG_1774 (2).jpg


Mine is 6 volt no reason to change in my opinion.
I'm not that far west of you.

Pat

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 36and63

Attachment 429127
Mine is 6 volt no reason to change in my opinion.
I'm not that far west of you.
Pat

[36and63]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Rhode Island is another source. I think you would be much better of with the original style wiring. 6v or 12v isn't much of an issue wiring wise, the original style wiring is good for both.

http://www.riwire.com/

Rhode Island was who I used for my new harness - they really have great customer service and quality materials and workmanship.

Thanks Petehoovie for the larger pic!

Pat

[Joshbarts]

Originally Posted by 36and63

Attachment 429127


Mine is 6 volt no reason to change in my opinion.
I'm not that far west of you.

Pat

Woah, very nice.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Joshbarts

Well I introduced myself and disappeared. That’s not very nice. I still have the truck. Trust me... its not going anywhere. What happened was... In the meantime i decided to get a Masters degreee (MBA). I couldn’t focus on that and the truck at the same time. One or the other deserved my undivided attention. Well, I finish in three weeks. Time to celebrate. My reward... get the truck in tip top driving condition.

I know it probably doesn’t help but I am also torn between keeping it 6v or converting to 12v. I don’t know what to do.... help?

No need for 12v! I grew up in southern Minnesota where it has been known to get cold on occasion! When our lane would drift in Dad left the '40 at the end. So it sat overnight in -30 deg. weather and always started.
One thing you might do is add an electronic voltage regulator if you don't like having to keep adjusting the third brush.