Simple wiring diagram for dummies

[Ilari]

I´m planning to make wiring to 1932 Ford roadster by myself and I wonder if there is simple wiring diagram you recommend? I may use original headlight switch, but not sure yet.

[DavidG]

Four or V8, early, mid-year, or late, main or lighting, LHD or RHD? They all have different wiring harnesses.


Also, short of a copy of an original engineering drawing for the desired harness from the Benson Ford Research Center, no wiring diagram is going to give you the gauges and lengths of the various wires within each harness, which is critical information in the making of the harness.

[Seth Swoboda]

Would it not make sense to purchase authentic wiring harnesses from one of the wiring harness vendors? They will come with a schematic diagram.

[KiWinUS]

Original harnesses are about as basic as you can get and still have what you need. I would add turn signal wiring if you’re not going for originally.

[Ilari]

1932 roadster, left hand drive, will have blinkers. F1 steering, flathead V8 with strömberg ignition. I live in Finland and it’s not that easy to get the original type harnesses. And I suppose it would not work for me anyways. Partly yes, but not totally. I’m planning to make wiring to the car, so I will get the correct lenghts to the wires.

[DavidG]

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Here's the wiring diagram from the owners manual for a mid-year production '32 Ford V8 as a starting point. Your change in the steering gear means that you will likely have to use aftermarket switches for the lights and horn.

[KiWinUS]

You can get all the components you need from Brillmans here in the US. Cloth covered wires and antique to modern hardware.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Here's the wiring diagram from the owners manual for a mid-year production '32 Ford V8 as a starting point. Your change in the steering gear means that you will likely have to use aftermarket switches for the lights and horn.

[slowforty]

Try Classic Car Wiring. They have an excellent diagram in two sizes. Large is recommended for the Bi and Tri Focal Membership

[Ilari]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Here's the wiring diagram from the owners manual for a mid-year production '32 Ford V8 as a starting point. Your change in the steering gear means that you will likely have to use aftermarket switches for the lights and horn.

I actually used 1932 steering shaft, so the original light switch should work. But I´m not there yet. I´m not sure if I want to change the steering wheel too. Thanks for the wiring diagram.

[Charlie Stephens]

If I was doing it I would buy a reproduction wiring harness. Some suppliers probably have an option to include a right brake light and turn signals which I would recommend if you intend to drive the vehicle very much.

Charlie Stephens

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

If I was doing it I would buy a reproduction wiring harness. Some suppliers probably have an option to include a right brake light and turn signals which I would recommend if you intend to drive the vehicle very much.

Charlie Stephens

[cmbrucew]

If you do your own, beware of offshore made wire. Very poor quality. Stick with made in USA.

Bruce

[itslow]

One route to take would be to utilize the basic schematic from a late 1950s / 1960s era vehicle, stripping out the items you wouldn't have in a roadster. They will be 12V negative ground, use more modern type headlight and ignition switches, etc. Likely a better starting point than the 1932 wiring diagram.

This "Old Car Manual Project" has some diagrams on its site.
https://www.oldirononline.com/

Their offshoot that's dedicated for Chevrolet (gasp!) has schematics that include wire gauges. https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.co...ring/index.htm

[alchemy]

I did as Itslow said, and used a 1960 Ford schematic as the basis. Used whiteout over the circuits I wouldn’t need. I did add an aftermarket turn signal switch which was the most confusing part of the job.