fusible link

-

70b7duster

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2014
Messages
60
Reaction score
2
Location
San Jose
thoughts on replacing the piece of fusible link that runs from the starter relay to the bulkhead with a maxi-fuse? Was driving the other day and lost all power, pulled over and sure enough it was the fusible link. Just thinking in the future if there's a problem it would be a lot easier replacing a fuse on the side of the road instead of being stranded.
 
Seen it done, common on the new cars too.... probably something like a 75 amp depending on your alternator and wiring mods.....
 
Before you do that, review the mad article. Even if you don't do this mod, you need to check over the wiring for the big obvious problems.....connections in the bulkhead, ammeter, etc

^^As above, you need one sized with the alternator or it will pop on a hot / hard charge day, but you also need to be sure the wiring can handle it.

Catalog
 
So if/when you're stranded on the side of the road, you could grab another fuse from the glove box and poke it in there ? Fuse, fusible link, whatever, is designed to protect the wiring and keep fire outside the cabin. They dont just fail for no reason.
So popping in another fuse equals throwing another lit match at it.
 
Fusible links will take quite a bit of abuse in short term overloads
Maxi-fuses will not; they just go poof!

If you blow a link you may have been on the edge for quite some time.

Here's an example
let's say a 10ga wire shorts under the dash, you know the ammeter wire. Direct short while you are fussing with taking out the gauge panel. But when you see the sparks you immediately re-position and carry on. Well the Link wouldn't hardly notice. But a fuse is Poof!
Or let's say you are out at night and something goes haywire in the lighting circuit. You know there's something wrong cuz you can smell melting plastic coming from the light switch. Well a fuse woulda Poofed and you might be in the ditch and up a pole. But now with a link,you have a chance to pull over and check it out.
Chrysler wasn't stupid.They had your best interests in mind.
 
Last edited:
Fuselinks are slow-blow circuit protectors with capacity to allow for temporary overcurrent that doesn't last long enough to cause damage. Maxi fuses are insta-blow items. Different kind of circuit protection. See here.
 
I did that on my son's old Ramcharger before we did the 5.2 Magnum swap (then we used the entire '96 Dakota harness). They do work well.
 
-
Back
Top