I have a question in regards to the later style electrical system that uses an external shunt but still has an ammeter. So, I have a couple of different options here. Option #1 is buy a NOS ammeter gauge and run with that. Option #2 is to send off to get the ammeter converted to a voltmeter.

Now, thus far the current ammeter is working however it has been in the car for 37 years now. I'm going to be installing a solid state IVR (Instrument Voltage Regulator) and cleaning up the connections on the firewall side anyways. But, I figure it wouldn't hurt to ask here. I know 1976 A Bodies, F-Bodies, and M-Bodies used a shunt style setup as well. Thoughts?

The shunt style are mainly for decoration. You can just leave it unplugged and the vehicle will run just fine.

Conversion to voltmeter can and has been done. Theres probably a writeup on this site. Something you can do if your crafty.

Or just refinish yours.

All ammeters are shunt style, it's just the location of the shunt that changed. It works as well reading current as the earlier ones did.

Ammeters are quicker acting than voltmeters, meaning if you loose charging it will register it almost instantly, whereas a voltmeter will gradually drop as the battery gets drained. Both tell you important information about your electrical system, but the information is complimentary, not interchangeable.

I never had trouble with the newer style shunt ammeter, if yours is working I would just leave it, as far as I know they are trouble free.
I did burn the ammeter in my 72 Scamp but was able to clamp the ring connectors together with vise grips to get home.

Thank you for all the replies. I know the 76 up system was until I believe 1989 which was used on the last of the M-Body Mopars. Anyways, looks I'll still do the solid state IVR and make sure everything is good and tight. I have to replace a bulb in the dash anyways.

A lot of the problems on the early Mopar amp gauges where caused by loose inner nuts on the amp gauge causing a hi restitent connection Tighten rascal up and remove any corrosion on the wire ends and the nuts and be happy, you should also check for corrosion on the bulhead connections and correct as needed

No all ammeters are not shunt type. The one in my 63 and that was in my 66 Dart are not shunt type. Mopar started around 1972 or there about using shunt type. All the shunt is is a wire of the proper gauge in parallel with the ammeter. The type like on my 63 has all the current go through the gauge so if my ammeter gauge gets an open circuit my car will be dead. On the shunt type the shunt carries 90% or more of the load and if the ammeter gets an open on that it wont affect the car for starting and running as the car will still work fine. Most shunt type ammeters dont move much at all like the standard full in series ammeter will. Mopar went to them so the customers would not complain about the needle on the ammeter moving so much. Ron

Thank you again everyone.