Fusibile Link Q

[Stocker]

Question about the fusibile link on the red wire that goes from the junction block on the RF fender to the voltage regulator. Where the fusibile link joins the red wire, there's a hard black plastic or rubber cylinder, just under 1" long, covering the factory connection. Is it simply an insulator? I need to replace my fusibile link -- the old one is bad all the way to that insulator and I need to eliminate it and connect the red wire to a new fusibile link. Just want to make sure it's OK to remove it. Pic of what I'm asking about:

[redneckgames]

It is just a plastic insulator over a metal crimp.

[Ol Blue K20]

X2, it just an insulator for the crimp joining the fusible link to the wire. I use a good butt connector and heat shrink to seal out moisture and add extra insulation.

[redneckgames]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

X2, it just an insulator for the crimp joining the fusible link to the wire. I use a good butt connector and heat shrink to seal out moisture and add extra insulation.

I just done the same thing yesterday on my Camaro. I just used smaller gauge wire. I cut the wire right before the black plastic.

[Hammond68]

Originally Posted by redneckgames

I just done the same thing yesterday on my Camaro. I just used smaller gauge wire. I cut the wire right before the black plastic.

You don't want to do it that way. The insulation on a fusible link won't catch fire when overheated. Where as a smaller gauge wire will. They're only a few bucks.

[Stocker]

Thanks, guys! It went into the trash, but not before I cut it open to see for myself. Kinda curious why they used such an odd-looking insulator that doesn't appear to be used anywhere else on the truck. At least not that I have found. At any rate, I have a new fusible link and butt connector, everything soldered and with heat shrink on it.

[redneckgames]

Originally Posted by Hammond68

You don't want to do it that way. The insulation on a fusible link won't catch fire when overheated. Where as a smaller gauge wire will. They're only a few bucks.

Good to know. Guess I got some bad info. Thanks