'73 Cj5 Electrical Question

I have a '73 CJ5 with a 258 that's been apart since 2013. I'm getting it back together but was wondering about fusible links. It never had any protection on the #10 from the starter solenoid to the dash (ign, lights and horn) The lights have a circuit breaker, and other circuits have fuses, but was wondering about the main #10 feed. I was going to put a circuit breaker on that under the hood, but have since read that it should be a #14 fusible link and I'm looking for opinions. What length should the fusible link be and should I put one on the alternator to battery feed too?

 

I put one on my Alt circuit as the OEM had one. I replaced my alt with a Delco a few years back. Don't recall a length. As far as I know the fuse wire is amp rated, and a specific length is not important. I made mine like 6"

 

Thanks Zila. I picked up some #14 fusible link today and was thinking about 6".

 

The fusible link has a specific resistance value. Length and diameter affect the resistance so I wouldnt say it doesnt matter. I doubt that a few % difference in resistance vs spec will matter too much though.

EDIT: just realized my mind converted "fusible link" to "resistance wire". I also agree that length isnt all that important.

 

I looked at the '74 diagram and saw none. If you want to add one and keep your ammeter, look at the '76 Wagoneer wiring diagram and follow that example. I believe that application has an ammeter and one fusible link. Personally I would get rid of the ammeter and add two fusible links, one from the alternator to the battery and one from the battery to the dash.

 

The ammeter is gone. I found another fusible link so will be using 2.

 

This is how the '75-up CJ is configured. Your '73 has inline fuses and no bulkhead connector, but you could follow that example otherwise. The '76 CJ wiring diagram is available as part of the '76 TSM on the Tom Collins site.