The Ford Barn

dorvedahl47pu · 06-22-2021, 06:23 PM

Good afternoon,

The Green Book calls out 2 part numbers for the cowl harness for 47 V8 pickups. 51C-14401A is for years 44-47 and 51C-14401C is for 47 only. Does anyone know what the differences between them are?

Might it have something to do with the ignition and headlight breakers being on the instrument panel rather than on the firewall? The one I'm working on now is different than my other 2 (and my 1940 tonner as well) in that the harness goes through the firewall right by the drivers side cowl edge rather than on the passenger side of the voltage regulator and the instrument panel has the breakers on it which of course makes those wires extend much further up the harness into the cab. Also, the serial number of this truck, 1888215, is later than my other 47 V8 which is configured much like my 40 is.

Is my theory correct?

Thanks for the help.

rawlir · 06-22-2021, 10:58 PM

I might be able to help with some info on this.....Rick 425 766 7408

GB SISSON · 06-22-2021, 11:45 PM

And I am definately following this even though I can't answer your question. Jailbar junkie/ tonner to the max... (think Mad Max). Can you post some photos of these trucks please?

dorvedahl47pu · 06-23-2021, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

And I am definately following this even though I can't answer your question. Jailbar junkie/ tonner to the max... (think Mad Max). Can you post some photos of these trucks please?

Thanks for the willingness to take a deeper dive into this.

Pics attached. First row: First pic shows the firewall wiring of 47-odd. Second pic shows the cowl harness entering the cab just above the emergency brake of 47-odd. Third pic shows the ignition resistor and light breakers on the instrument panel of 47-odd. Second row: First pic is a side view of instrument panel on 47-odd. Second pic shows the cowl harness path on 47-typical that represents what I am used to seeing.

Also, the speedometer on 47-odd is a Waltham. The speedometers on my other 47s are King Seeley (without resistor and breakers mounted). Coincidence?

Thanks.

mhsprecher · 06-23-2021, 09:12 PM

You might get in touch with Tyree Harris. He does wiring harness for Fords. 804-556-5200. He lives in Virginia. I got a harness for my 45 jailbar from him.

rawlir · 06-23-2021, 10:33 PM

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I had this issue recently with wire harness for 47 Tonner, i have 3 46's & this 47. on the 46's the firewall wire harness opening is more left of the opening on my 47. I asked Tyree about that, he was unaware of this difference. I did not like using the right side location hole so drilled a new hole where it is on the 46's. All worked fine, would be happy to discuss more if you want.....Rick 425 766 7408

dorvedahl47pu · 06-25-2021, 03:27 PM

Thanks Rick. I've already bought a new "normal" harness for it, before I started tearing into it. I can save that one for my other 47 I guess. I will probably leave it like it is and maybe see if Tyree would make a new harness using the current one as a pattern. I'll keep trying to figure out why it is configured this way, just because I like a good goose chase when it comes to old Ford trucks.

rawlir · 06-25-2021, 10:24 PM

6 months ago when i was facing the same issue i found a small % of 46 & 47 Conventional trucks that had the wire harness entry in this location. Still dont know why Henry did that, i felt a "Normal" harness would not have the fit/length that i would need plus i felt a "Normal" was not manufactured with that location in mind. I am happy i moved it, make sure you have acceptable wire length.....Good luck!

dorvedahl47pu · 09-14-2021, 10:39 PM

I think I may have figured out what is going on with the wire harness on this truck. I believe that it was factory built with a 1948 V8 pickup cowl wire harness, 8RC-14401. What I am lacking is a complete wire harness schematic for the 8RC-14401. I am not able to decipher the precise makeup of the coiled-up harness pictures I have seen for sale in various places. Does anyone know where I can find a good schematic for the 8RC-14401?

Ol' Ron · 09-15-2021, 03:18 PM

I had same situation. there are 2 cowl wiring harnesses for '47 pickup, early and late. the correct one I bought from Sacramento vintage Ford, part #05944-6, their part#. Works perfect, hooks up to dimmer switch, headlight switch and gauges. I spoke with Ron @ Sacramento Vintage. I also thought about the 8RC , (lot more wire and dash panel between years are different I believe) before I found the correct one. Also bought main light harness(06050-10),headlamp sockets(06089-3). the wiring diagram is on Van Pelts for 48-49 ford trucks. Very similar to the late '47's. my serial # is 799c2025xxx.

dorvedahl47pu · 09-15-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

I had same situation. there are 2 cowl wiring harnesses for '47 pickup, early and late. the correct one I bought from Sacramento vintage Ford, part #05944-6, their part#. Works perfect, hooks up to dimmer switch, headlight switch and gauges. I spoke with Ron @ Sacramento Vintage. I also thought about the 8RC , (lot more wire and dash panel between years are different I believe) before I found the correct one. Also bought main light harness(06050-10),headlamp sockets(06089-3). the wiring diagram is on Van Pelts for 48-49 ford trucks. Very similar to the late '47's. my serial # is 799c2025xxx.

Thank you Ol' Ron. That's exactly what I needed. Now I have a solution!

Ol' Ron · 09-15-2021, 10:15 PM

I'd like to take credit for this information, but My friend Allen, who is restoring a 47 PU furnished it.
Nice to have smart friends,"Gramos.

06-22-2021, 06:23 PM	#1
dorvedahl47pu Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Hooper, Utah Posts: 79	47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question Good afternoon, The Green Book calls out 2 part numbers for the cowl harness for 47 V8 pickups. 51C-14401A is for years 44-47 and 51C-14401C is for 47 only. Does anyone know what the differences between them are? Might it have something to do with the ignition and headlight breakers being on the instrument panel rather than on the firewall? The one I'm working on now is different than my other 2 (and my 1940 tonner as well) in that the harness goes through the firewall right by the drivers side cowl edge rather than on the passenger side of the voltage regulator and the instrument panel has the breakers on it which of course makes those wires extend much further up the harness into the cab. Also, the serial number of this truck, 1888215, is later than my other 47 V8 which is configured much like my 40 is. Is my theory correct? Thanks for the help.

06-22-2021, 10:58 PM	#2
rawlir Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 92	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question I might be able to help with some info on this.....Rick 425 766 7408

06-22-2021, 11:45 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,914	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question And I am definately following this even though I can't answer your question. Jailbar junkie/ tonner to the max... (think Mad Max). Can you post some photos of these trucks please? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

06-23-2021, 09:12 PM	#5
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question You might get in touch with Tyree Harris. He does wiring harness for Fords. 804-556-5200. He lives in Virginia. I got a harness for my 45 jailbar from him. __________________ 1924 Model T Coupe 1928 Model A Roadster 1930 Model A Town Sedan 1939 Deluxe Fordor 1945 pickup 1951 Custom convertible

06-23-2021, 10:33 PM	#6
rawlir Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 92	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had this issue recently with wire harness for 47 Tonner, i have 3 46's & this 47. on the 46's the firewall wire harness opening is more left of the opening on my 47. I asked Tyree about that, he was unaware of this difference. I did not like using the right side location hole so drilled a new hole where it is on the 46's. All worked fine, would be happy to discuss more if you want.....Rick 425 766 7408

06-25-2021, 03:27 PM	#7
dorvedahl47pu Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Hooper, Utah Posts: 79	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question Thanks Rick. I've already bought a new "normal" harness for it, before I started tearing into it. I can save that one for my other 47 I guess. I will probably leave it like it is and maybe see if Tyree would make a new harness using the current one as a pattern. I'll keep trying to figure out why it is configured this way, just because I like a good goose chase when it comes to old Ford trucks.

06-25-2021, 10:24 PM	#8
rawlir Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 92	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question 6 months ago when i was facing the same issue i found a small % of 46 & 47 Conventional trucks that had the wire harness entry in this location. Still dont know why Henry did that, i felt a "Normal" harness would not have the fit/length that i would need plus i felt a "Normal" was not manufactured with that location in mind. I am happy i moved it, make sure you have acceptable wire length.....Good luck!

09-14-2021, 10:39 PM	#9
dorvedahl47pu Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Hooper, Utah Posts: 79	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question I think I may have figured out what is going on with the wire harness on this truck. I believe that it was factory built with a 1948 V8 pickup cowl wire harness, 8RC-14401. What I am lacking is a complete wire harness schematic for the 8RC-14401. I am not able to decipher the precise makeup of the coiled-up harness pictures I have seen for sale in various places. Does anyone know where I can find a good schematic for the 8RC-14401?

09-15-2021, 03:18 PM	#10
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question I had same situation. there are 2 cowl wiring harnesses for '47 pickup, early and late. the correct one I bought from Sacramento vintage Ford, part #05944-6, their part#. Works perfect, hooks up to dimmer switch, headlight switch and gauges. I spoke with Ron @ Sacramento Vintage. I also thought about the 8RC , (lot more wire and dash panel between years are different I believe) before I found the correct one. Also bought main light harness(06050-10),headlamp sockets(06089-3). the wiring diagram is on Van Pelts for 48-49 ford trucks. Very similar to the late '47's. my serial # is 799c2025xxx.

09-15-2021, 10:15 PM	#12
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: 47 Pickup Cowl Harness Question I'd like to take credit for this information, but My friend Allen, who is restoring a 47 PU furnished it. Nice to have smart friends,"Gramos.