slicknapier Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I need to rewire my 51 from the dash back. What guage of wire do I need? I'm staying 6 volt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott1953 Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 If you are going to be wiring behind the dash, i.e. gauges and lights etc. then you will need various size wire. Do you have a wiring diagram? If not I would suggest one. The service manual for my 53 dodge has a very good wiring diagram that will tell you what each wire size and color should be. I'm sure that someone on here may be able to tell you what each wire size should be but in my opinion having the service manual is invaluable. Good luck with the project, I have rewired everything in front of the firewall as well as a good deal of the 'behind the dash' stuff as well as getting the brake lights, tail lights and the turn signals working. It's tedious work going wire by wire but it's rewarding when everything works. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 10 for heavy loads, 12 for medium load, 14 for light stuff like dash lights. The wiring diagram for the 49 in the service manual shoes the wire size and should be pretty universal for 6 v. If in doubt size up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 as Greg says..???'s size up..and in this regard think smaller number for the heavier guage...you can source the web for what guage wire willhandle what current at given voltage by searching for AWG wire chart...try this..scroll down to chart..give you an idea of who what when and how for current..other sites will be even more automobile dedicated.. http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amps-wire-gauge-d_730.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 On the old mopars that used the cloth covered wire Chrysler used slash or hash marks on the cover of the wire. If i remember I think 1 slash was 16 g, 2 slash 14gague 3 slash 12 ga. If you check with rodhe Island wiring they can also confirm which slash and color to use if you are going back to original. I would suggest that you go down a guage or to a heaveir wire that was was the orginal or replace a 16 gauage with a 14 gauge. Rhode Island wire can provide the various guage so that a replacement 14 gague for a 16 gauge can have the same original sticker or slash as the orginal but the wire has been upgraded to carry more amps and volts. If you just want to rewire and do not care about originality that always go to a heavier wire for 6v. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slicknapier Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 thanks for the info guys...I took the car out last night after thinking I had the wiring squared away. WRONG. Drove a couple miles then the lights went out. The came back on then went out again and so on. I realized the wire coming from my brake light switch was getting pretty hot. I pulled the brakelight wires out and the lights stayed on. I'm not sure if it has the wrong bulbs in it or not. I do know I have a bunch or wires that are cracked and have no covering on them. Basically I have a bunch of open wires probably shorting out in more than one area.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Look at the wires they might even be steel stans. I had steel in my 39 desoto inthe headlight wires. Also the old stuff had cloth covered and did not have the plastic coating over the wire stans. The new cloth covered wire is modern wire with plastic coating and then the cloth cover is pulled over the wire. This way the wire looks original but is totally better and will last longer and the water willnot get into the line. Also when you do a rewire sodder the connecters. The modern crimp style are ok but soddering will insure a good connection and also reduces the chance that the wire will pull out of the connecter. Also on your headlihgt and tailights run a seperate ground wire. This will improve the brightness to the light. Rust and paint always run a ground. Take the extra time and you will always have a good light. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.