Fuse Panel - Where?

[MiraclePieCo]

Where do you guys have your fuse panel located? Yeah, I know - under the dash, ha ha! But please be a little more specific. Where is the best location that's most accessible and least visible and doesn't interfere with other components?

[mongocanfly]

My plan is to put mine under the seat...

[Black_Sheep]

I mounted my fuse panel tucked under the dash on the driver's side. It's not visible while seated in the truck or when looking from outside the truck. Still easily accessible though...

[Rickysnickers]

I wish I had the link. There's a guy oh here that place all his wiring and engine PCM behind the driver seat. It looked really nice and clean. It didn't appear as though it could be seen either.

[b-mac]

I'm pretty close on this, but I don't quite have the pic you need exactly.

I have seen that "under-the-seat" setup mentioned above, but I didn't want to have to extend wires.

I'm putting wiring (CPU, TAC module, Relay and fuse block) all above the passenger's feet. I'm not finished yet, so I may need circuits I don't have, and have to add some things.


Space above passenger feet.


You can see the piece of metal I cut to the same shape laying on the table there.



Closer to finished. A block with fuse spades goes there on bottom.

I plan to weld some bolts to the firewall to act as studs. Then cut some slots into this metal panel, so that it can slide on those studs, so that the whole panel can be removed with 4-6 nuts. It should make it much easier to work on that way.

[jweb]

Mine is mounted high on the drivers kick panel, hidden by the dash. It's easy to access and you won't have screws going through the fire wall.

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

I wish I had the link. There's a guy oh here that place all his wiring and engine PCM behind the driver seat. It looked really nice and clean. It didn't appear as though it could be seen either.

Roger55 put his ecm and some relays behind the seat but the fuse box is under the dash. He has a very nice truck with many examples of good work.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=685728

[MARTINSR]

I have an original to put on my firewall just like I had when I got the truck. I think I still have the original one that I pin striped (really badly) back then.



Brian

[mr48chev]

They didn't use that box after 49 or 50 (not sure exactly when though. Somewhere in my stuff I have the cover that I had chromed in 1973 for mine and plan to use it as a cover for the harness to go inside the cab.

One thing, when you get older and less limber having the fuse block where it is a lot easier to reach becomes an issue.

[OrrieG]

Under dash on left side. Ran the wires into the fender well and down to the frame. Made a cover plate to cover the exposed wire that are visible below the dash.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

They didn't use that box after 49 or 50 (not sure exactly when though. Somewhere in my stuff I have the cover that I had chromed in 1973 for mine and plan to use it as a cover for the harness to go inside the cab.

One thing, when you get older and less limber having the fuse block where it is a lot easier to reach becomes an issue.

I'm still a young stud. Besides, it couldn't be easier to get to than right on the firewall by the hood hinge like from the factory!

Brian

[OrrieG]

Martin, unless its 4wd like mine and you are short like me and don't like needing a step ladder everytime you want to work in the engine compartment.

[_Ogre]

orrieg is vertically challenged for sure
but then so am i in my family

i mounted mine the same spot as orrieg, easy to get to
with a new harness, i rarely need access to the panel in the last 8 years

[MiraclePieCo]

After hours of measuring and figuring, I settled on a natural spot right above the gas pedal.

[Desert1957]

I like this one. not mine, but saved for reference.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

I like this one. not mine, but saved for reference.
Attachment 1812825

Very clean! I couldn't put mine there because the mounting screws come out behind the power brake reservoir. However this pic did inspire me to route my wires out the TOP of the fuse block instead of the bottom, just to keep them up under the dash. Thanks!

[mikebte]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

I wish I had the link. There's a guy oh here that place all his wiring and engine PCM behind the driver seat. It looked really nice and clean. It didn't appear as though it could be seen either.

I believe it was Roger55. Is is mainly on trifive, can't seem to find a good photo. But he did a TPI swap and mounted it in the rear.

[va4cqd]

heres where i put mine

[bosco]

Located mine up under the dash, left of the steering column.

[Clay54]

Originally Posted by mikebte

I believe it was Roger55. Is is mainly on trifive, can't seem to find a good photo. But he did a TPI swap and mounted it in the rear.

I am Rogers neighbor and he is not in his shop today. I have found a better picture of the one you have shown. I am sure he will not object to me showing it. Clay

[dsraven]

instead of worrying too much about where the fuse panel will end up, spend time to do the wiring correctly, size the wire for the load and use a quality wire, protect the circuits with fuses or auto reset breakers, use proper tecniques for connections, use quality products and connections, use loom and proper tie downs to keep the harness from stress and route the harness where it will not sag and rub, then you should be trouble free for a considerable amount of time. like ogre says, he has barely had to get back into his fuse panel in 8 years of use. don't get me wrong, I wouldn't tuck the fuse panel waaay up behind something, I am just saying to do the wiring well and that will keep you service free for a long time.
do some research on the proper tecniques of doing a connection, whether you solder or use crimp style terminals. do it right the first time and it will last for a long time. if using crimp style connectors spend a bit of money on a good set of quality strippers and crimping pliers. use non insulated crimp connectors and double walled shrink tube to protect that connection, that way you can see how the crimp looks before finishing. double wall shrink tube has some glue inside so it seals and sticks. some insulated connectors have insulation that doubles as shrink tube. they are a bit spendier but do make a good connection and some actually have the crimp section plus some solder inside so when you use heat to shrink the insulation down the solder will melt into the connection and make a good solid connection. tug on the new connection after the crimp to ensure it has actually captured the wire strands well.
here is a home guy doing a quick basic tutorial with some good pointers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5LBf19MqPk

[dsraven]

another pretty good tutorial on crimping do's and don'ts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjSGCSwNuAg