Fuse panel question

[fireguyfire]

Getting to know my newly acquired 1940 1/2 ton, and cleaning things up in preparation for repairing everything to make it a runner again.

The wiring harness is toast, and it has a really large and weird fuse panel.

I’m assuming this is not the original panel?

[bkahler]

I believe that is the remains of a radio, not a fuse panel.

[Plymouthy Adams]

3 hours ago, fireguyfire said:

Getting to know my newly acquired 1940 1/2 ton, and cleaning things up in preparation for repairing everything to make it a runner again.

The wiring harness is toast, and it has a really large and weird fuse panel.

I’m assuming this is not the original panel?

 

 

well......it is electrical for sure.....this radio unit has a remote control head.

[Bryan]

I would recommend looking at several YouTube videos and learning electricity basics before messing with the truck wiring.  Wiring is the one of the main things that can be dangerous.   One thing to note is a lot of old Dodges have positive grounding, unlike modern vehicles.  Learn the basics like basic circuits, part identification, then good practices like how to connect wiring, soldering, etc.    Youtube has several basic videos like these.   You have to weed out the complex videos first. Start simple.

 

[Bryan]

The Basic Electronic Components — SteemKR    (1) fuse block automotive - Bing images  

[47Jim]

Fireguy, I’m just wrapping up doing my own harness on my 47 Dodge one ton, I’m a wiring beginner but with help from the guys on this forum and others, I’ve been able to put a system together with modern fuses, now a ton of research needs to be done if you haven’t done this and a detailed plan formulated to include what you’re charging setup consists of, alt or gen? 6 volt or go to 12? Positive or go negative ground? Future additions such as a radio or USB port? All these need to be answered, you’ll find stock original diagrams and schematics in your shop manual and many places online, study those in great detail, learn your charging circuit by heart, where power is coming from and where it’s going or should be found.

 

 I started with my shop manual replacing one rat chewed wire at a time until I got it running, all the while reading the files and searching the forums for related information to formulate an overall wiring plan.

 

Know what you have and read your tail off for starters, here’s my partial diagram 

[1949 Wraith]

The only fuse on that era of truck will be on the rear of the light switch. My 42 is an original reproduction wiring harness.

 

On my 52 it had been converted to 12 volts so I refreshed the harness by using a lot of information http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/wiring_harness/wiring.htm

 

Basically the same as a 40

Edited November 30, 2021 by 1949 Wraith

[fireguyfire]

I’ve restored lots of wiring harnesses and systems in 60’s and 70’s Mopars; just hand built a factory harness for my 70 300 convertible someone had butchered.

I don’t have as much experience with cloth covered systems, other than in my 49 Ford 8n tractor.

I was 100% sure it was a radio as well when you see vacuum tubes, but I sent the same photo to a guy I get parts from who has a few of these laying in his yard and he said he thought it was a fuse panel out of something else of the era; I’ve never heard of vacuum fuses in a vehicle, but thought he would know better than I do. Now I can give him the gears!

Thanks for the intel and I’ll pull it out and throw it away.

My plan is to keep the truck as a survivor so I’m guessing I will stick with the factory 6 volt system.

Im awaiting a FSM I ordered online and will read up on the system when it arrives.

I see you can buy modern wiring with the cloth insulation over that which sounds like the way to go

[fireguyfire]

It has this cool antenna on the side which I’m definitely keeping.

[Bryan]

37 minutes ago, fireguyfire said:

Thanks for the intel and I’ll pull it out and throw it away.

 

I would try to find a chassis number on the radio, see what it is, and see if you could sell it or give it to someone. It's probably rare.

[Bryan]

Might be something like this..  Original Vintage 1940's Motorola Golden Voice 709 Car Truck Radio w/ Controls | eBay

[47Jim]

Brillman is a fantastic source for an original harness, they even sell partial sections like if you just want to do the charging circuit, as good as Rhode Island wiring but less expensive and more options 

The pickle is, the harness you order will be for the original style switches that aren’t reproduced (headlight) so hopefully they’re in good shape or you might be able to find NOS somewhere, I went with a generic 60’s style GM headlight switch so the bullet connections weren’t going to work, something to think about.

[lostviking]

I didn't read the line about you having bought the manual already.

Edited November 30, 2021 by lostviking

[lostviking]

8 hours ago, fireguyfire said:

I’ve restored lots of wiring harnesses and systems in 60’s and 70’s Mopars; just hand built a factory harness for my 70 300 convertible someone had butchered.

I don’t have as much experience with cloth covered systems, other than in my 49 Ford 8n tractor.

I was 100% sure it was a radio as well when you see vacuum tubes, but I sent the same photo to a guy I get parts from who has a few of these laying in his yard and he said he thought it was a fuse panel out of something else of the era; I’ve never heard of vacuum fuses in a vehicle, but thought he would know better than I do. Now I can give him the gears!

Thanks for the intel and I’ll pull it out and throw it away.

My plan is to keep the truck as a survivor so I’m guessing I will stick with the factory 6 volt system.

Im awaiting a FSM I ordered online and will read up on the system when it arrives.

I see you can buy modern wiring with the cloth insulation over that which sounds like the way to go

I think that guy is messing with you. That IS a radio. There are zero fuses, and that big thing is all the plates is a capacitor used to turn the radio.

 

DON'T THROUGH IT AWAY! That is something that can never be replaced. If you don't want it, I'll pay the shipping if you send it to me. I've been in electronics since my first stint in the USN, 1978. I'll get it running and use it. Do you have the control head?

 

Tim

Edited November 30, 2021 by lostviking

[lostviking]

7 hours ago, 47Jim said:

Brillman is a fantastic source for an original harness, they even sell partial sections like if you just want to do the charging circuit, as good as Rhode Island wiring but less expensive and more options 

The pickle is, the harness you order will be for the original style switches that aren’t reproduced (headlight) so hopefully they’re in good shape or you might be able to find NOS somewhere, I went with a generic 60’s style GM headlight switch so the bullet connections weren’t going to work, something to think about.

 

If you headlight switch is "frozen" spray it with WD40 and let it sit. Don't worry about getting some inside. Spray heavy. It will free the shaft up with a bit of wiggling and time. I did that with my trucks original switch, which the PO had replaced with a universal POS. Inside it was like brand new! I put a bit of dielectric grease on the internal surfaces and closed it back up. Good as new.

[fireguyfire]

I don’t have the control head.

pulled it out and it’s a Studebaker radio.

I’ll post up a photo of the tag

[fireguyfire]

The long wire (speaker I’m guessing?) had been fished up the A pillar to the drivers side wiper opening.

[fireguyfire]

[billrigsby]

Very cool, I agree don't ever throw anything like that away, that's history right there.

 

Here's a possible controller for it on eBay right now, just a quick search while I'm eating supper.

Edited December 1, 2021 by billrigsby

[lostviking]

Oh darn. It only gets Canadian stations.