I needed a place to tap power for the extra accessories that I added like the trunk light, rear window defogger and auto-dim rearview mirror. I made my own buss bar out of junk I had laying around. I cut a section out of a 1/2" ridged copper tubing with a Dremel and cut-off wheel and then hammered it flat. I cut cardboard from a 12-pack to make a template the correct size to fit the fuse box. With the copper strip and cardboard sandwich in the bench vise, I used a file to get the copper the same size as the cardboard. After a quick test-fit to figure out where to drill holes, I pop-rivet a fuse holder that I removed from an old fuse box to the copper strip. I then drilled a hole for the 1" x 3/16" carriage bolt and jam nuts. The 3-outlet pigtail came from a late 70's/early 80's pickup truck. (I added the eyelet)
Very well done. This is a great idea that I can add to my fuse box, for handling some of the extras I will be installing. Looks like the hard to find factory option. Thanks for posting
It theory, it should hold the same amps that any other draw the fuse box can handling. If you want to pull a BIG load you would need to use a relay anyway. You can use the fussed wire to trigger the relay. The pigtail is 14 gauge wire, the buss bar is 0.045" thick. If anything, the fuse clip is the weakest link.
I saw it in person this past stampede,it looks even better in person, meant to ask u then. where on the F150 did u get the 3 plug harness? By the way,Thank You to all who were there and made my Son & I feel so welcome,we had a great time.
The speedometer cluster was already gone on the pickup and the plug was in the bottom of the opening. It was a pleasure meeting you and your son at the Stampede. Wish we had more time to hang around together. Don't forget to grab a electric trunk lock and switch when you go get the 3-way plug.
Already plan to raid the Pull-a-Part Wednesday while were in Augusta for my physical therapy, btw, u were right on the money bout the voltage regulator on the instrument cluster, Thank you.
Jody, check this out, would like to see you and your Son there...:Handshake... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=96047&highlight=christmas
Trucks all the way back to at least 1967 will have that 3 wire pigtail. My '69 F100 Ranger Has one identical, except it's black. Behind the instrument cluster on the left side.
That's good to know the earlier trucks have them too. My '60 Falcon has the same plug also but the gauge wire is a lot smaller.
