Guage issues

[Jason Mills]

The electrical charging system and gauge wiring are the only two weak points in early Chrysler products & Dodge trucks. There is a known problem with the Charging/Amp gauge circuit which can potentially cause an electrical fire or worse. It is strongly suggested to modify that circuit, eliminate Amp gauge and replace with Volts gauge.

In addition the voltage regulated gauges suffer from age defects, primarily in the mechanical 5VDC voltage regulator for gauges. There is a DIY conversion to a modern solid state voltage regulator for gauges and it's pretty simple to do.

It's quite lengthy to explain so I'll post links to several websites offering specific directions for a fix. I don't like to lead someone to another site but this stuff is complicated and can cause a lot of serious trouble if not attended to.

Richard Ehrenberg Alternator repair:
http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical.html

Richard Ehrenberg Gauge Voltage Regulator repair:
http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical2.html

Mad Electric Amp gauge elimination [also click 'Tech' for further diagnosis/repair]:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...p-gauges.shtml

Many Mad Electric pages have a flag at bottom to click for Page 2. Good solid info there. Check this link also for further info:
http://www.madelectrical.com/workshop.shtml

Mopar Muscle [tries to keep up with Richard Ehrenberg, good luck M/M....]:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...air/index.html

Alternator upgrade parts:
http://www.alternatorparts.com/chrys...grade_kits.htm

Enjoy yourself....

I am looking at wading into the Sweptline & Utline era, and know I will be doing some electrical repairs. Here is my question: Is it possible to keep original looking gages, and have a solid electrical system?

What have others done in regards to reliability and safety, does one have to go to after market gages, which I would rather not do.