Complete rewire to 12 volts

[Charlie Olson]

Hi All, in two weeks, PLYWOOD is going to be completely rewired to 12 volts. I have a set of new 12 volt LED taillights to install. Is there any questions all of you can share with me that I should ask the people at the resto rod shop in regards to not overlooking anything??? I plan to have the new LED's act as stoplights and directional signals as well; plus the two vintage after market stop lights I have installed adjacent to my license plate brackett to make a very bright stop light. I think I should replace the floor dimmer switch, all dash bulbs and new 12 volts headlights. What gauges do I need to protect with resistors or the old school rheostats? I am installing new 12 volt headlights, if anyone wants the really good 6 volt headlights; let me know, for the cost of S&H, they are yours. Plus I have two sets of original 6 volt taillights for the same offer. I shall be installing a 12 volt alternator. Once I get the total rewire done, the new headliner with lotsa insulation goes in to finish PLYWOOD's updating. Any advice or practical experience anecdotes much appreciated. Charlie in BCS Championship Game Country, AZ; GO BUCKEYES

[builtfercomfort]

Just watch out for the LED bulbs - they are very directional. You may need to rework your light sockets to aim them straight back, or put internal reflectors or something.

[Guest rockabillybassman]

You dont need to replace the dimmer switch unless there's something wrong with it. Fuel gauge needs a voltage dropper, so does temp, but only if it's electric. I think yours is manual. Voltage droppers available for $15, from www.thenightprowlers.com although they're not shown in the online catalog. They're called "Runtz". I put one on my fuel gauge and it works fine.

If you're retaining the stock dissy, you need a 12v coil and a resistor to stop the points burning.

[55 Fargo]

Hi Charlie, you will need voltage reducers for the following items, the wiper motor, the heater motor, the gas gauge, the radio may require a polarity on + grnd. You may be able to run this through your stock ammmeter gauge, but not 100%, as it measures just current flow.

Because you are going with an alternator, you will not have to change your regulator, the starter should be okay on 12 volts, the horns will be super loud on 12 volts, not sure what the horn relay will do on a 12 volt diet.As also mentioned you will need to change yor coil and resistor for the points.....................Good Luck

[Guest rockabillybassman]

A 30amp dropper is available from Speedway Motors for about $30. I used one for my wipers (I dont have a heater) and it's perfect. I think you will need a 12v horn relay, I did, and also you'll probably need a relay for the headlights, as the old 6v system did'nt use one.

[blueskies]

...You may be able to run this through your stock ammmeter gauge, but not 100%, as it measures just current flow.

...

I'm running 12v through my stock ammeter guage. For negative ground, you will need to reverse the wires on the guage or it will read backwards.

Also running a "Runtz" on my fuel guage. Works great.

Pete