2.2.1 Battery wiring

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The GPW uses a negative ground electrical system. The battery ground cable is a bare, tinned copper cable consisting of multiple strands. The cable is round in cross section. The ground cable clamp joins the cable radially; it is made of tinned brass or bronze and includes a raised N. Ground cables on early GPWs were longer, and were bolted to the frame front crossmember. Later ground cables were shortened and were bolted to the front of the battery tray. The Battery positive cable is copper, insulated with asphalt impregnated cotton insulation.

The positive cable clamp is joined to the cable tangentially, it includes a script “ ford ”. The cable clamp should fit the battery terminal well. Beware of clamps intended for positive ground vehicles as they are too small for the larger positive battery post.

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The later earth strap bolting point is shown here on the July 45 GPW of Tony Sudds

Andrew Cranfield

2.2.2 Wiring harnesses

GPW wiring consisted of lacquered, cotton insulated wire assembled into harnesses wrapped with shiny black harness tape. The terminals were soldered and the solder joints were covered with short (1”) sections of black rubber tubing. Modern plastic wiring is not acceptable and its use should result in full deduction of wiring points. Original wiring colors were muted, watch out for overly colorful reproduction wiring.

The left front fender (headlamp) wiring harness is shielded for radio suppression. The shielding should be of tinned copper, neatly applied with a cable loom machine. Slip-over shielding braid is not correct.

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2.2.3 Junction blocks

GPW junction blocks were manufactured from two strips of gray asbestos material, not the reddish phenolic used in the MB and commonly available as reproduction parts. The screws and stamped nuts were S7 plated, not brass. The screws are round head #10-32 with integral external-tooth lockwashers.

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2.2.4 Battery

The correct battery is an Exide or Willard tar top battery with a black hard rubber case. Significant points should be deducted for modern, plastic cased battery with internal cell jumpers as antique reproduction batteries are easily available.

Note: The original battery included an extra vent cap on each cell, batteries with this configuration are no longer available.

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2.2.5 Horn *

The GPW horn is a “Sparton”, model R2-14 finished in black gloss japan. The horn is marked as follows on the top of the cone:

SPARTON JACKSON MICH U.S.A. MODEL R2-14

All hardware is S7. The horn is attached to the horn bracket with a Cadmium plated “Y” shaped double leafed spring. The spring is attached to the firewall bracket with S2 finished hardware and to the horn with cad plated screws, nuts and split lockwashers.

* Documentation has yet to be uncovered indicating if horns manufactured by Schwartze Electric were ever used on GPWs.

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G503.com GPW Judging Standard WIKI

-WIRING-

2.2 Wiring

2.2.1 Battery wiring

2.2.2 Wiring harnesses

2.2.3 Junction blocks

2.2.4 Battery

2.2.5 Horn