Wiring Diagram and 12v vs 24v?

[matttupp84]

Does anyone know where i can possibly find a wiring diagram for a 51 m37. The wiring is shot in my truck.

And should i keep it 24v? Im really wanting to, but are there advantages to going to a 12v system?

Thanks guys

 

[nattieleather]

The wiring diagram can be found in the TM. If you don't have a copy you should get one. There are a couple different ones available. I don't have the numbers here in front of me, but I'm sure someone will jump on.

12V vrs 24v. That's up to you. By keeping it 24V you don't have to change anything. The lights are already 24v. The starter, the distributor, the gauges, the fuel sender, the heater if equiped with a stock one. Only the wiring needs to be replaced. If you go to 12V you'll need to change all those things over to 12v items.

The only advantage I see of going to 12v is running modern electronics in the vehicle. radio and charger for cell phone etc. Also aftermarket heaters are mostly 12v.,..that and if you blow a headlamp or a tail light on the road you can pick up a replacement almost anywhere were as you may need to travel with 24v spare bulbs if you stay 24v.

If it were my truck I'd stay stock 24V.

 

[rboltz]

The wiring diagram can be found in the TM. If you don't have a copy you should get one. There are a couple different ones available. I don't have the numbers here in front of me, but I'm sure someone will jump on.

12V vrs 24v. That's up to you. By keeping it 24V you don't have to change anything. The lights are already 24v. The starter, the distributor, the gauges, the fuel sender, the heater if equiped with a stock one. Only the wiring needs to be replaced. If you go to 12V you'll need to change all those things over to 12v items.

The only advantage I see of going to 12v is running modern electronics in the vehicle. radio and charger for cell phone etc. Also aftermarket heaters are mostly 12v.,..that and if you blow a headlamp or a tail light on the road you can pick up a replacement almost anywhere were as you may need to travel with 24v spare bulbs if you stay 24v.

If it were my truck I'd stay stock 24V.

Amen to all

 

[majorhitt]

AS mentioned I'd keep the 24v I have a 51, I replaced the wiring. If you pickup a harness that's most of the battle. you may still have to replace the wiring from the harness end connectors to the lamp assemblies. I bought all the terminal ends, coupling, male and female caps, and tape. cheaper than buying a completed item.

 

[matttupp84]

Thanks guys. I am going to stay 24v. Where can I find a complete harness?

 

[majorhitt]

The norm is a front harness and a rear harness. Look at Vintage wiring of Maine, or Midwest Military.

 

[matttupp84]

Ok cool. Thanks. I know a new complete harness is around $900 so that's out. Haha. I'll look into just the front and rear though.

 

[Rusty1340]

I captured this out of one of the TM,s.. I wanted to see what I was up against.

 

[majorhitt]

In my previous post I mentioned about the pig tails from the head lights,The Wiring diagram in the post by Rusty1340 shows all the wiring. Each item, the tail lights, head lights,blackout lights, etc, have tails that the harness either from a vendor or a nos do not include. These are available from the vendors for a good price. A set for the head lights is about $75. All the extra tails may add up to about $300. I went to a rally and picked up all the wire ,terminal ends male and female caps, tape and the terminal tool. All for about half the price. You do have to figure your time is worth something, and could you do it? If you're making a harness yourself, The hardest part on the harness is the large multi pin connector, You need a tool to remove the pins. If you don't have this tool and you have to repair the wire near the multi pin connector this is no treat either. One way or another you have to pay, your time or your money.

 

[hndrsonj]

Thanks guys. I am going to stay 24v. Where can I find a complete harness?

Try Brent Mullins in College Station, TX. They used to have Greek ones cheap.

 

[matttupp84]

Thanks for the help. I'm a ways away from needing to wire it. But i am trying to get my ducks in a row. When you talk about buying the front and rear harness, or the pigtails for the lights. You are meaning you buy them and do all the wiring in between? if you buy a complete harness does it have all the pigtails? or do you still have to buy those as well?

 

[hndrsonj]

Pretty sure he means the pigtails that go from the inner fender to the headlight/turn signals. I don't think they usually come with the front harnesses. Should be very easy to make though.

 

[matttupp84]

Ok cool. Thanks. I'm not to fired up about making my own harness, but then again i'm not real fired up about spending $900 to buy one. haha. I'll just have to weigh my options when the time comes i guess.

 

[majorhitt]

A wiring harness front or rear will get you close to your fixtures. then the pigtails go from the harness to the fixture ( headlight black out light etc.) If you look at your headlight bucket, the wires coming out of the bucket are the pigtails. The same for your tail lights. You have to take the lamp housings apart and rewire them. In the picture the front harness comes up to the wire clips on the right side of the fender wall, From the right side of the photo there are three pigtails one from the head light one from the blackout light and one from the blackout drive light. Look and you could see where the light are grounded to the body, also the bottom connector that seams to go nowhere is for the blinker that they never ran a wire for.

 

[Rusty1340]

Try Brent Mullins in College Station, TX. They used to have Greek ones cheap.

I used Brent Mullins for Jeep parts I didnt see any for the M37. Is there another site for Brent?