Just waisted most of day and missed half Chicago/New Orleans game looking for reducers at local auto parts stores and even checked with Radio Shack and came up empty handed. My '55 Town Sedan is in need for the dash lights, gages, and to see if my radio is going to work. I know they are around because it wasn't too many years ago I bought them for my "55 T-Bird. Any ideas as to where they might be found? Thanks, Ron

For the dash lights and other bulbs, just change the bulbs to 12V equivalent. For the light switch and ignition switch you don't have to do anything - they will work okay with 12 volts. For the temp and gas gauges, get a gauge cluster voltage reducer?? that all Fords from 57 to the 80's used. Available at all parts stores and maybe a Ford dealer. I am not sure what to do if anything for the oil and voltage/amp gauges (idiot lights).



The light and ignition switches do not have to be replaced - they will operate ok on 12 volts. As far as the heater blower, the best thing is to get a 12 volt motor (NAPA?). Maybe a 56 replacement is the same. The switch is ok on 12 volts.



For the radio, there is a device you can use for voltage/polarity changes, but for the life of me I can't remember what you call it. Old age I guess.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Paul and Tom,

     Changed bulbs to 12v and that was quick fix, all working now. The gas and temp gauges were and are still working (has reducer) and with the 12v bulbs in oil and gen (idiot lights) they won't go out so I pulled bulbs. The heater blower must have been changed over before because it works fine the only other things I need to get working is radio and clock and replace broken speedometer cable...still trying to figure out how to install the lap and shoulder belts. Thanks for the help.

For the clock, I had my 54 clock converted to a 12 volt quartz movement. It works great. I recommend www.williamsons.com. They were less expensive than most and the clock works great ( 2 years). They also did a TBird radio and it works great so far (1 year). As far as the radio, I think the devise I was thinking about is a converter. Try radio shack or some car radio stores.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ