while in the process of replacing my gas tank on my 82 d150 i noticed the grounding straps that connect from the underside of the bed to the cab were broken,(1 on each side of truck),i was wondering if any one might know what all these straps ground on the truck? Thx Scott.:help:
Megunticook
10-16-2008, 01:22 PM
I would guess they help ensure that your tail, turn, and reverse lights are well grounded--those need a solid ground path back to the battery's negative terminal, which is grounded to the radiator support and the engine block (which in turn is grounded to the firewall).
bigdogscott
10-16-2008, 02:30 PM
ran some new wire. i dont think any lights were out or anything. i'll see if i notice any difference:dtrocks:
1972-D100
10-16-2008, 02:54 PM
Thats all they do, tie the bed and cab grounds together. Depending on how the tail lights are wired is where you would notice the difference, if it is wired using wire though the junction box, you won't really notice a problem. If they are wired with a ground going to the bed, they won't work....It basically insures everything has the same continuity on the ground side of things! I also think it allows the filler neck to have a good ground as well, not sure on that one though!
Megunticook
10-16-2008, 03:08 PM
ran some new wire. i dont think any lights were out or anything. i'll see if i notice any difference:dtrocks:
I never had those on my truck (didn't even know it was supposed to have them), I thoroughly cleaned my all my rear light grounds and rewired everything, they worked just fine--guess the frame provided a good path. But the ground wires can only help.
I've even heard of some people running a ground wire up to the front with the rest of the rear lighting wire harness--suppose if you want 100% reliability and maximum brightness that would be the way to go.
More important, in my opinion, to make sure your battery negative post has a clean, tight connection to both block and chassis...that's the source of more electrical problems than probably anything...I learned that lesson the hard way.
1972-D100
10-16-2008, 03:15 PM
I don't think they were original on our trucks... I think that came when dodge went to the tanks outside the cab. But you couldn't be more correct about grounding the chassis and the block.
Chump
10-17-2008, 01:21 AM
They werent standard on my 77 W200 but I installed 2 when I put the shell on the box. The clearance lights added an extra 18 bulbs to the circuit so I didnt want any ground problems.
1976D100
10-18-2008, 10:47 AM
My '76 Adventurer has woven brass ground straps on both sides of the cab/ bed. They are installed using sheet metal screws. They LOOK factory.
Both are broken! And the tail lights work.
fins2fuselage
10-18-2008, 01:39 PM
Both of my trucks have cab-to-bed ground wires, and I have made certain that they are securely connected.
I wonder if they were something wich was deemed essential to the use of accessory equipment such as piggyback campers and truck caps which might not typically be grounded to the frame or the cab . . .
