Ground strap locations

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

How much is a kit normally running? and so the electrical runs through these Straps?

Board member/vendor VH Coachworks sells a professional quality ground strap kit that is second to none and its not very expensive. There is also instructions on where to place the ground straps. I have one of those kits and wil be installing it very soon.

[WIDESIDE72]

Can anyone with a step side tell me where the oem ground strap goes on the bed? I already landed one end on the frame using the location shown at the first of this thread. I suppose the other end goes to a crossmember (i have a step side with wood bed and the floor and cross members are not yet installed)

[LockDoc]

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I am going to bump this back to the top and add a picture of the instrument cluster ground clip location.

LockDoc

[67 Burb]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

No they ground the vehicle to make all your elecrtical work properly. No current runs through them. A stated earlier... local parts stores should have grounding straps.

Gary

It's not correct that "No current runs through them." All the current runs through the ground wires. If you were to put an ammeter in the ground side of a circuit, and another in the positive side, and turn on the power, you'd get roughly the same reading on both meters.
Like this:

[davepl]

I bought 2 kits because I had done a lot of powdercoating and wanted to be doubly sure about grounds.

For cosmetic restoration purposes, I used laquer thinner and a bead blaster to "restore" my copper originals.

I wonder if the Corvette shops sell the original copper style still? No aluminum strap is going to impress an NCRS judge...

[midniteblues]

[QUOTE=davepl;7390010]I bought 2 kits because I had done a lot of powdercoating and wanted to be doubly sure about grounds.

For cosmetic restoration purposes, I used laquer thinner and a bead blaster to "restore" my orignals.

I did the same cleans them up nice. I also grabbed a few of various sizes from the jy. After cleaning then all I clear coated the strands in hoping they keep there color.
Guys don't forget the proper ground washers are important.

Lock doc good call on that ground most forget it. Mine clips too the choke cable.

Also the ground on the heater blower motor.

[franken]

There's no need to run grounds larger than the low current feed from the battery and alternator. The big cables bolted to the battery carry the large starter current.

[Metaldoc]

Proper grounding through out the body to frame to engine redirects static electricity discharge so it doesn't destroy wheel bearings. Discharge straps to earth ground in the wrong place can kill wheel bearings as well.

[chrismoore701]

Any other thoughts on grounding a stepside bed?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

Any other thoughts on grounding a stepside bed?

One of the perimeter bed bolts, header panel bolts, or rear cross sill bolts should work fine unless there is rust between all of the panels.

LockDoc

[chrismoore701]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

One of the perimeter bed bolts, header panel bolts, or rear cross sill bolts should work fine unless there is rust between all of the panels.

LockDoc

All fresh painted panels. With clean bolt holes. But no metal to metal between the panels. Thinking of a ground strap between the rear cross member and the frame. Then maybe adding wires between the taillight brackets and the frame

[OregonNed]

On my fleetside, is it recommended to ground to one of the box cross sills? I didn't really think about that too much when I applied all the POR-15 to them. Might make for an interesting scrape job to get to bare metal on one.

[mike16]

as if too manny isnt enough, you should also ground the distributor to the intake manifold and to the fire wall. if you have aluminum heads, ground them to the intake as well and to the block. Dont rely on head bolts to do it.

this is important enough but if you have a large electronic load, its even more important.

Oh and just for the record.... bonding straps complete the circuit, ground straps discharge static electricity.

[geunther]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Can anyone with a step side tell me where the oem ground strap goes on the bed?

I don't think they grounded the bed from the factory. Reason was probably because it was not rubber isolated like the cab, radiator support, and engine (mounts). At least, I have never been able to find one looking at factory intact trucks.

I am not saying that it is not a good idea to do so.

[chrismoore701]

I checked my circuits and found out I had a bad bulb. Replaced them all and did some checking and just ground the rear bed brace to the frame and we are off and running.

[chrismoore701]

Why use a braided strap vs a wire? I installed a wire tonight for a test and it worked. I was going to swap it out for a braided strap but I ask why? This is between the rear bed cross member and the frame for the tail lights

[Metaldoc]

Braided wire is more flexible and your box is mounted on thin rubber washers. You need to ground the box, I would do both sides of the box.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Good information here. Thank you.........Turns out mine was missing the strap for the bed rail. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the hole for this in the frame is approx. 13" from the end of the frame.

[chrismoore701]

If flexible is the only reason then I am going to stick with the wire. Why change it?

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by Metaldoc

Braided wire is more flexible and your box is mounted on thin rubber washers. You need to ground the box, I would do both sides of the box.

Were all of the boxes mounted on rubber washes? Can this be confirmed by anyone? I've seen the pads in maybe one online source. I didn't put them under my bed, maybe I should have.

[chrismoore701]

I have them installed on my stepside. I think I got them from Classic Parts of America

[OregonNed]

Working for a phone company definitely has its perks. They have a multitude of different grounding materials. I'm going to upgrade my grounds to this half inch strap. I can cut to necessary lengths.

[RustyBlueTruck]

Great Idea! I am going to pay more attention to grounding before I go chasing anymore of the gremlins that live im my electrical system.

[67 Burb]

Originally Posted by RustyBlueTruck

Great Idea! I am going to pay more attention to grounding before I go chasing anymore of the gremlins that live im my electrical system.

We should all do the same. It seems that many of us have got caught in that mindset when chasing an electrical problem until you think you're going nuts, only to find that it was a bad ground all along. Just remember that wiring is not a one-way trip. What goes out must also return.

For example, newer vehicles don't rely on a tail light's housing to provide a ground. A ground wire comes out of the housing and is grounded at another location. If GM had done that back in the 60's we probably wouldn't be having this discussion now.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Ground strap kits are a good way to go for restoration purposes. If you just need to make sure you are well grounded use any battery (I perfer black) cable about 12 inches long and run from head or motor mount to the frame, clean contacts of course.

Exactly.