Late 40's early 50's Chevy Truck owners (OT)

[Ed Griffin]

Since there a some here that own these trucks I thought I'd ask for some help. Do any of you who have one of these trucks have a wiring diagram that would work for a 1950 3100? It doesnt have to be exact but I need a good reference of one scanned , emailed, web linked etc.. . I've spent a great amount of time trying to figure out the prev. owners wiring so I could get the tail lights working for stopping, turning and running as well as the front parking lights for turning. Just got it all working recently and had to pick up a new battery. Either the alternator is not working properly, the lights are draining the battery, or there is a wire not connected correctly somewhere under the hood or dash. Using a primary wiring diagram would be a big help right now even though the truck is not 6 volt and the motor is'nt original.

I'll get a manual eventually, most likely when I start pulling fenders and all but I'm trying to save a few pennies on the chevy so I can get back to my (priority)Dodge. Thanks in advance, Ed

[Jeff.P_46]

Hi Ed,

I have shop manual for 48-51 and it shows 2 diagrams, one for 48-49 and one for 50-51. I'll try scanning it tomorrow to see how clear it will come out, took a picture but have to figure out how to insert it. Your truck should have a generator (if it is original) not an alternator. If you have a digital voltmeter take the ground wire off the battery, set the voltmeter to DC amps and place one lead on the ground terminal of the battery and the other to ground. With all your electrical items off there should be no current detected (unless you have a clock or newer style radio) If you do, you have something being powered.

Jeff

[Ed Griffin]

Hi Jeff,

My truck is a 1950 but it is a 12 volt with a 283 with an elec. fuel pump and a alternator. I need the primary diagram to see if the prev. owner or I have a wire crossed or something. Before I added the new tail and parking lights it would show that it was discharging so i think it was a problem before i touched it but I'd like to make sure as well as have the diagram so i can go over the complete wiring to see what is hooked up wrong. Have found a couple of wires in wrong places or hanging already.

If you can send it easier through email my email is (remove the no spam) nospamPrivada@aol.com and thanks for such a quick reply. The clearer the better so if you need to scan it take your time. I really appreciate the effort and look forward to seeing the diagram. Thanks again, Ed

[Jeff.P_46]

Let me try this,

[Jeff.P_46]

The thumbnail isn't very clear, I will try scanning it tomorrow and e-mailing it to you.

Jeff

[Rodney Bullock]

Ed, when it comes to those trucks, if you have wires in there place although 12 volt they are very simple. on the out side under the hood there is a little fuse box. It's black sits on the fire wall. Your stop light and tail light run though it. If you look down at 7 0clock you will see the brake light switch. There are two wires going to it. One from the fuse box and the other goes to the light sockets. My truck is 12 volts however I have a generator, if you are having something bring the battery down the first thing you should look at is the alternator itself, remember if that dio in side of the alternator is bad it will leave the curcuit open causing it to discharge. You nolonger have a voltage regulator. Heavy chevy sells a wiring harness for your truck with a alternator if you ask nice I think they will send you a copy.

[Ed Griffin]

Ed, when it comes to those trucks, if you have wires in there place although 12 volt they are very simple. on the out side under the hood there is a little fuse box. It's black sits on the fire wall. Your stop light and tail light run though it. If you look down at 7 0clock you will see the brake light switch. There are two wires going to it. One from the fuse box and the other goes to the light sockets. My truck is 12 volts however I have a generator, if you are having something bring the battery down the first thing you should look at is the alternator itself, remember if that dio in side of the alternator is bad it will leave the curcuit open causing it to discharge. You nolonger have a voltage regulator. Heavy chevy sells a wiring harness for your truck with a alternator if you ask nice I think they will send you a copy.

Rodney, I found the fuse box while working on the lights. The fuses were aluminum foil wrapped bad fuses:eek: but I replaced those and another under the dash. I have already replaced the brake switch and the hi-lo beam switch. Actually took the HL-BS off the Dodge parts car since they are the same bolt pattern etc.

I do still have a voltage regulator as well. According to the fellow at Advance the delco remy alternator I had was the first alternator that came out after generators ( no internal VR). He suggested going with the one wire next time and I would have done so then but I'd already purchased a new one and firgured it had worked ok so far so why switch for now.

I did take it in and have the alternator checked and according to them it was overcharging. Even if it were good I would have gotten another because it sounded like a can of rocks or a water pump thats gone bad. Jeff sent me a great pdf of the diagram so i'm in business again for more work under the dash and hood. As I mentioned to Jeff I put the new alternator and belt in but it didnt show any change on the dash gauge so i wiggled the wires under the hood and found the VR plug needed to be cleaned.

Even with the thought that the plug was just dirty and them saying it was overcharging I would have wanted another one anyhow because of the noise it was making but i really dont think it was just a bad connection at the VR. Most likely a combination of the two. Either way, it's now charging like I should.

It needs some serious front end work done to prevent it from grabbing ruts in the road as well but a little more wiring with the diagram Jeff sent and then it's time to park it and get back to the Dodge.

I'll have to google Heavy Chevy and see what they have to offer, hadnt seen nor heard of them so far. Thanks for the tip, Ed

[Rodney Bullock]

If you don't see Heavy Chevy try Chevy Duty:) I just put a 4 speed in my 3100(1953) it works great, If it's following the ruts in the road you my need some kingpins are you running radials? I use them and love the ride besides you have 4 count them 4 leafsprings:)

[Ed Griffin]

If you don't see Heavy Chevy try Chevy Duty:) I just put a 4 speed in my 3100(1953) it works great, If it's following the ruts in the road you my need some kingpins are you running radials? I use them and love the ride besides you have 4 count them 4 leafsprings:)

Now Chevy Duty I've heard of, may even have the link already. The other 50 I had made a big differance in the ride when i put radials on it but even with radials on this one I think your right about the kingpins. Very sloppy even with radials. Already knew about the leaf springs and how they ride which is not the problem here, even though the rears have a extra support spring thats been added on the bottom.

Eventually I'll have to downsize the tires because their way too big, especially for the front. P275/60 R15's all the way around. You would think that would help but it's probably whats killed the front end with it being a straight axle and manual steering.

I'm happy with the 283 and auto tranny thats in it even though it does have a 65 or so Mustang auto shifter on the floor. Even has a dual exhaust from end to end so I cant complain, less to do later. Still not sure what rear end was put in but it seems to work good at high speeds