47-55.1 Fuse Box and ECM Placement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

No Handle Sam · 08-05-2019, 02:29 PM

In looking at building my 2nd AD truck (and thinking about what would I do different this time?) I have seen a few pictures of trucks that have the bulk of the electronics under the seat. This seems like an interesting idea to me and a great way to free up space under the dash. Other then needing a "flip up" seat bottom to access everything... what are the pros and cons? Anyone have any first hand experience in doing this?

jbarron · 08-06-2019, 08:17 AM

I did this on my 50 with a TPI motor.
The only thing to think about is since the fuse panel is not under the dash you will need to run wires to and from the fuse panel to everything in the cab.
I used a trunk mount wiring kit to get the extra length wires.
Also if your motor requires a computer harness make sure it will reach to where you want to mount it.
It was painful to remove all the pins from those computer connectors to be able to have a reasonable size hole for the harness through the floor.

**mr48chev** · 08-07-2019, 01:28 AM

Good answer there. Fuse block where you can reach it and see it when you need to which may often as not be on the side of the road in the dark in a rain storm. If I had my drund thers I'd put both (if I had both) in a panel behind the drivers seat where I could lean the seat forward and pop off a panel and easily access everything. I've spent too many hours on my back under a dash in real nasty weather checking fuses.

mobileortho · 08-20-2019, 03:51 PM

My fuse panel is under the dash. I put the TPI computer under the seat and the Dakota Digital boxes in the glovebox.

jwhotrod · 08-20-2019, 04:22 PM

while you are on electrical stuff also think about putting a master disconnect switch in the battery cable where you can reach it from the drivers seat, After a friends 40 Willys caught fire (electrical) on the I65 bridge into Louisville. and was saved because the passenger could reach the disconnect, I've made it a point to put it where I could reach it when alone. just a thought, do all this work to build something this could help you!

08-05-2019, 02:29 PM	#1
No Handle Sam Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 26	Fuse Box and ECM Placement In looking at building my 2nd AD truck (and thinking about what would I do different this time?) I have seen a few pictures of trucks that have the bulk of the electronics under the seat. This seems like an interesting idea to me and a great way to free up space under the dash. Other then needing a "flip up" seat bottom to access everything... what are the pros and cons? Anyone have any first hand experience in doing this?

08-06-2019, 08:17 AM	#2
jbarron Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 167	Re: Fuse Box and ECM Placement I did this on my 50 with a TPI motor. The only thing to think about is since the fuse panel is not under the dash you will need to run wires to and from the fuse panel to everything in the cab. I used a trunk mount wiring kit to get the extra length wires. Also if your motor requires a computer harness make sure it will reach to where you want to mount it. It was painful to remove all the pins from those computer connectors to be able to have a reasonable size hole for the harness through the floor. __________________ '72 3/4 Cheyenne Super 402/TH400 Gear Vendors '72 3/4 Cheyenne Super 350/200R4 '50 1/2 Chevy 3 Window

08-07-2019, 01:28 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Fuse Box and ECM Placement Good answer there. Fuse block where you can reach it and see it when you need to which may often as not be on the side of the road in the dark in a rain storm. If I had my drund thers I'd put both (if I had both) in a panel behind the drivers seat where I could lean the seat forward and pop off a panel and easily access everything. I've spent too many hours on my back under a dash in real nasty weather checking fuses. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-20-2019, 03:51 PM	#4
mobileortho Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 904	Re: Fuse Box and ECM Placement My fuse panel is under the dash. I put the TPI computer under the seat and the Dakota Digital boxes in the glovebox. Attached Images __________________ Robert C. 1950 3600 3600 re-do, shortening it up If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes," I'm a Genius in the making.

08-20-2019, 04:22 PM	#5
jwhotrod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DeKalb, IL Posts: 159	Re: Fuse Box and ECM Placement while you are on electrical stuff also think about putting a master disconnect switch in the battery cable where you can reach it from the drivers seat, After a friends 40 Willys caught fire (electrical) on the I65 bridge into Louisville. and was saved because the passenger could reach the disconnect, I've made it a point to put it where I could reach it when alone. just a thought, do all this work to build something this could help you!



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