MTFCA Forum

Does anyone know if auto industry from the 1920s used any kind of connector or plug in any of the cars? I’d like to add a couple connectors into my headlight wiring harness. I bought a “lot” of model t parts from eBay and there was a wiring harness included but it was hacked up a little bit and the headlight wires are too short and I’d like to lengthen them
Thanks
Dan

Another choice would be to purchase a new loom. They are not that expensive.

Dan,

When I put together an era correct turn/4-way/brake self-designed kit on my Hack and in keeping with my '20's technology theme cap for every part sourced, I eventually settled on something Ford issue even after looking at others for one of the needs. Rather than use a Model T head light connector for the two bulb tail-lights (it looked really clunky to me) I allowed myself to have in-line connectors for things like the lamps added at the rear and I actually wound up using stock Model A stuff from a vendor catalog! There are tiny bullet type connectors that come with female line connectors (meaning, you put a bullet on each end then click them into the double end female connector)

I was happy with it, all said and done...sorry, no pics, I'm not near the Hack.

FYI- The part numbers were A-14487 for the female, and A-14486 for the male. They were actually relatively cheap in the big scheme of things...lol

Original Smith I thought about that but I’m using a homemade depot hack body and the way I have my wiring harness routed, a new harnes would still be short
But thank you for suggestion

George. Thank you for part numbers , I’ll take a look at them. Sounds about what I’m looking for

Here are pictures of the parts #'s described above. These should be available at local automotive supply, hardware or home improvement stores. However , color may be an issue. If so use black shrink tubing

Yeah cool. I’ve seen those parts listed on some parts house websites. I don’t quite understand how they work. Does the metal bullet connector plug into tha back of a different one ? And they are installed inside the black covering?

There's a metal tube inside the black insulation that the bullets plug into on either side.

I am in agreement with Frank on this and his advice to use shrink tube to mask everything is right on...I almost duplicated his post until I reread it. With black shrink tubing and black wire-cloth, the connections will be nearly invisible.

I crimped mine and sleeved with heat shrink...this is how I handled rewiring my runabout's twin tail lights. Works great...looks great. Had I thought about them, Bullet connectors are probably a better choice.

Got it. I know what I’m going to do now. Thank you everyone

I have always used Rhode Island Wiring Service for supplies when I want to do a "non-traditional" application on vehicles/projects but have it blend into the background. They have some nice 1 into 1 bakelite bullet connectors that would probably be what you are looking for. I have used there supplies on the T's, Dodge Brothers, A's and the Farmall Cub. I used the 1 into 1 bakelite connectors for the headlights on the Cub, installed in-line for the headlight wires it makes removing the hood a lot easier. You can find then on-line at riwire.com I also agree with the shrink tubing, but some that I have found end up being "glossy" after installation, I always look for shrink tubing that ends up matte/dull.

I agree with shrink tubing. It's not original, but looks better than the plastic insulators that come with the terminals.

It comes in many colors and textures too.

Any connector is a possible source of failure. It is easy to extend wires by splicing the two ends together and soldering the joint. Heat shrink is your friend to insulate the joint. Sometimes I have even cut the existing wire shorter to make the joint where it cannot be seen.

Allan from down under.