This is probably going to seem like a dumb question to some of you guys, but I'm no wiring expert, and I want to make sure I don't burn this car down... My newly purchased 31 coupe doesn't have any of the lights hooked up. There is no wiring going to the headlights or brake lights. The guy said he "never drove it at night" Tomorrow I'm going to take the fenders off, remount the brake light and headlights, and I want to wire them up. I want to run the most basic wiring setup I possibly can. Basically, I just need the headlights to work, tail light to work, and brake light to light up when I hit the brakes. I want to install a small discretely placed toggle to turn the headlights/tail light on (steering wheel headlight switch isn't in the car) Can you guys give me an idea of what kind of components I'll need, and a basic idea of how to wire it properly? The car is still 6v, and runs/charges normally. I have somewhat of an idea of how to do it, but I want to make sure I'm not forgetting or missing anything. Crudely drawn pictures are always a plus..
You will need power from your fuse pannel to Genaric headlight relay that can handle the current for the lights. Power from the fuse to the relay and then power from the relay to the headlights and tail light. Then you will need power to the toggle switch and when you turn on the toggle it will open up the relay. The relay handles the load and the toggle switch just opens it. For the brake light you will need power from the fuse to a brake light switch mounted to the pedal. Power into the switch one side and come out the other side of the switch and attatch it to the brake light. hope it helps.
Dreddybear just gave you the best wiring info you will ever get. That book is wiring for dummys and has been more help to this dummy than you can imagine. If you know where to buy it, get it. It will be your wiring bible for just about every thing you do in hot rod stuff.
The Jalopy Journal
