Wiring fuse panel etc under seat?Any input.

Am now starting to look at where I want to place my fuse panel etc and I know it would look cleaner if it wasn't on the firewall,as being an A the firewall is pretty limited.Have yet to purchase the fuse panel,which will likely be a Rebel or Ron Francis.I also have a MSD ignition 6A which needs a spot so need a little room.Anyone have any input,pros and cons or better still pictures.Thanks Roger

 

I have done several T's and A's like that. Working on a modified-T now, and it will all go under the seat, battery too. Space is at a premium in an early Ford. Use it where you have it.

 

This is in my 32 pickup,,I hide the heat & air and my fuse panel there. HRP

 

I used an easy wire kit and put it under the seat just had to lengthen all the gauge and other wires that go to the dash,

 

That looks great,I like the idea of your heat and air under there as well.I am now also looking at doing it under the rear seat(or eventual rear seat) as I have a 7" travel on the front and am not sure if I have the room.Do you think that it would be a problem to run wires from the MSD 6A to the coil that far from the coil.

 

Given that electricity travels pretty near 186,282 miles per second, I think you will be fine for a few extra feet, with the proper gauge wire.

 

I used the American Auto wiring kit,,they supply enough wire to do two cars. HRP

 

I mounted my panel up on the inside firewall directly above the steering column on my truck. If I had it to do over, I'd do it like Hotrodprimer did on his '32. My '38 Ford pickup has a seat riser similar to the one in his '32. If I ever rewire the truck, I'll put the panel under the seat, route the wires over the top of the driver's side door, and down through the A pillar.

 

I like that. Can you tell that I am a little electrically impaired!

 

Yeh I definitely like Hotrodprimers setup,but do not have the seat riser height.Was just looking at what it would take to raise,which is definitely doable but it would not be user friendly.

 

HRP's set up looks to be ideal,and if you can go that route-do so.
Just make things accessible for maintenence.
Gonna visit that world here shortly.

 

Now you guys have got me thinking a little more.I just made this for a partial drop of the battery in the back ,and I could do another on the other side for below deck wiring as i would still like a seat and already have a kickup.

 

The wiring should be as close as possible to the electrical source ... according to most electrical books. I have no problem with it being placed under the seat BUT I placed mine on the firewall. Yes ... 32's are a tight fit but then again how often do you mess with the fuse panel once the vehicle is finished.

I spoke with 2 or 3 of the aftermarket air manufacturers and suppliers and they told me that HEAT rises and
COLD AIR falls

They said for maxium effect ... the A/C ducts should be in the dash ... where the air can blow in your face. It is difficult to get all the stuff under the dash of a early Ford but with a little work and planning it can be done.





None of the A/C or duct works is visible.
And the Vintage Air will almost freeze you out of the coupe.

 

I am going to run the original tank for the time being in my 29 so don't have the luxury of all that firewall room.

 

I have found the American Auto Wire highway 15 or 22 ideal for under the seat as they provide enough wire to do that easily and advertize it. You also get to hook up both ends which is a must as far as i am concerned.

 

I installed my fuse panel under the seat on my '33 truck. Tons and tons of room under there for the wiring, and a host of other ****. Just make sure that nothing stored under there can roll around and short out or otherwise damage the fuse panel.

 

Have just been looking at these kits as they seem quite popular.I ***ume by hooking up both ends you mean that you do the connection at the fuse box and its termination point.Do you crimp connectors at the fuse box or are they just bare wire with screw down fittings.

 

i like mine under the seat ! key and headlight , cig lighter , lights etc in seat riser

 

Thats a nice and clean setup.

 

I use a Centech panel. Under the seat is fine as long as you can get the wires to where you want them. I have made flat wire looms with duct tape and run it under the carpet pad. Model A wood frame not easy to run wires down windshield posts.

 

I put mine under the seat of my T Bucket. It's easy to get to and that's about the only place it could fit. I also have the battery under the seat. Along with enough room for tools, etc. In an early car, it just makes sense.

As for the A/C and the cold needing to be aimed at your face.... in a small closed car, it wouldn't matter. The amount of space your cooling is small, compared to a newer car, which that would apply to. With good insulation, A/C under the seat is very practicle.

 

Is yours a sedan? With a seat riser? If you are thinking it's crowded for front seat legroom and you might want more, move the riser back before you do the wiring.
JimSig

 

No pictures of the wiring but I wired this myself 30 years ago. The battery and the all the electrical components are under the seat including a horn relay to allow me to use an early Ford starter ****on on my Chevrolet solenoid. No kits. No universal fit all stuff. I take that back I did use a Ron Francis neutral safety switch on the trans pan.

 

For those of us who are getting older, and already have or may need bifocals, it wont take long to realize that it much easier to see a fuse panel under a seat than one that is mounted on a firewall behind a dash. Once installed there is very little service required to the panel itself, but rest ***ured that you will need to replace a fuse some time in the future.

 

Mine is a sedan,and with the front seat in the ideal position it is not that high.So am still looking at doing it under what I hope to be the rear seat.

 

I had one under the seat in a T bucket, but that space could be used for storage. On two others, I put a panel on a hinge, mounted all the electrics on the panel, and mounted it on the right side of the firewall inside. It folds up out of sight and is held by a thumb screw to the bottom of the dash. Its all out of sight, but open the right door, kneel down, undo one screw and its all right there if you ever need it.

 

My fuse panel is mounted behind the drivers side kick panel.

 

I wanted to save the room under the rear seat for storage so my heater and fuse panel/electrical components are under the floor. I used a generic Summit heater and built a plenum that uses the floor as the seal around the top then mounted a few defroster vents from a '64/'66 Chevy pickup that were fitted for a moderately tight fit that allows me to rotate them to direct the heat.



with the fuse panel door closed everything becomes invisible yet is instantly accessable.

 

Very nice!

 

hey hrp--where are the hoses routed for the AC--under the cab or ???