After market wire harnesses

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younggun2.0

younggun2.0

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ok guys, need some input here. I am to the point of my build where i just need to wire it up and then its off to the races.

here is what i do and dont have on my 1967 dart.

big block with factory style alternator. (externally regulated?)
MSD ignition (6al box, msd billet distributor, msd blaster2 coil)
no wipers
no heater
no radio
have autometer guages in the dash (all mechanical gauges, except volt and fuel level)
67 floor shift steering column.

I want to keep the original keyed ignition switch in the dash (even if i have to cut and splice the original plug into the new harness)

dont mind running an aftermarket or other manufacture wiper switch.

I am a complete novice when it comes to wiring. I have done several car stereo installs and have done electronic ignition swaps before but that is about the extent of it. I have a good set of tools and know how to use them. This project has got me rather intimidated.

I have been looking into the universal kits that would be used for street rods. I like the Ron Francis "bare bonz" kit. has 10 circuits and 8 fuses. keep reading bad stuff about painless and how not "painless" it is. Get paid next week and am making a decision then.

ALL INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! what do you guys recommend?
 
Simplify your task and think one circuit at a time.

I like to use a stream/river as an analogy. You have an item and it's going to be placed in the stream, you need to have a flow into it from upstream (battery/fuse) and need to have that flow go to the end destination (Ground).

You have a good understanding of what you need. Make it happen.
 
crackedback said:
Simplify your task and think one circuit at a time.

I like to use a stream/river as an analogy. You have an item and it's going to be placed in the stream, you need to have a flow into it from upstream (battery/fuse) and need to have that flow go to the end destination (Ground).

You have a good understanding of what you need. Make it happen.
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i am just trying to decide what harness i want to use. i have 500 bucks set aside to wire the car. the kits i see advertised are well below that for a 8-10 circuit kit. any feedback from people that have experience with any of the vendors would be great.
 
The dash wiring and engine wiring are 2 fairly separate tasks. I suggest tackling the engine bay first. I custom-wired both my A's using an underhood relay box from a 91-95 Jeep. With electronic ignition, fan, relays for headlights, ... there wasn't much common with the factory harness anyway. I just restored the dash harness, fixing PO hacks.
 
painless wiring tell them what u want and some demensions and its so simple jon could even wire it for you
 
If it's got a harness in it, I just chop what I don't need and pull it out, excising the terminal points at the bulkhead connector. Then I can still use a factory diagram for diagnostics.

However, It sounds you'd be using about 5% of the original harness at that point.
 
that was from my buddie kris he is a fanttastic custom car builder and a bigger smartass but he does only use painless wiring systems and makes it look easy ,
and award winning look when he is done so i have to go with his word have them make you a nice set that is custom just for your vehicle
 
I just picked up a ron francis kit for my 67 dart within the last 2 wks and am just starting to wire stuff, I did the express, but would agree with your needs the bare bonz sounds perfect.

I am really happy with the quality of the kit I have, the gauge wire, and the instructions they sent. The Express kit is set up that you mount the panel, then work from "bag A" of wires and specific instructons, then "bag B" of wires and specific instructions. It doesn't look overwhelming or difficult at all. They do send a big diagram as well, but most of the instruction is circuit specific.

I would bet the bare bonz kit is the same, but I don't know. They base the steering column stuff and wipers off GM, and the voltage regulator they want you to use is a ford product. (neither a big deal for me) you can even put the factory dart wiper knob into the GM switch. You can still use the factory ign switch.

It should be said that you need to follow the instructions sent with the kit, not try and use the factory diagrams with the kit... I think thats how guys get into trouble with some of the after market kits.


If you want more info, lemme know

JOE
 
joeboy said:
I just picked up a ron francis kit for my 67 dart within the last 2 wks and am just starting to wire stuff, I did the express, but would agree with your needs the bare bonz sounds perfect.

I am really happy with the quality of the kit I have, the gauge wire, and the instructions they sent. The Express kit is set up that you mount the panel, then work from "bag A" of wires and specific instructons, then "bag B" of wires and specific instructions. It doesn't look overwhelming or difficult at all. They do send a big diagram as well, but most of the instruction is circuit specific.

I would bet the bare bonz kit is the same, but I don't know. They base the steering column stuff and wipers off GM, and the voltage regulator they want you to use is a ford product. (neither a big deal for me) you can even put the factory dart wiper knob into the GM switch. You can still use the factory ign switch.

It should be said that you need to follow the instructions sent with the kit, not try and use the factory diagrams with the kit... I think thats how guys get into trouble with some of the after market kits.


If you want more info, lemme know

JOE
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i am currently torn between the ron francis bare bonz kit and the painless universal t-bucket kit. they both do nearly the exact same thing. i dont care about using other brand parts. i only insist on using my factory ignition switch. how detailed were the ron francis instructions? if they give me step by step instructions or diagrams to follow then i can do it. i am a novice at this but i gotta learn some day.
 
winstoninwisc said:
that was from my buddie kris he is a fanttastic custom car builder and a bigger smartass but he does only use painless wiring systems and makes it look easy ,
and award winning look when he is done so i have to go with his word have them make you a nice set that is custom just for your vehicle
Click to expand...

i have been torn between the painless universal t-bucket style kit and the ron francis. both of which are pretty basic kits. i am mostly worried about the directions. if they both have a good schematic and step by step directions then i could get it taken care of i think.
 
younggun2.0 said:
i am currently torn between the ron francis bare bonz kit and the painless universal t-bucket kit. they both do nearly the exact same thing. i dont care about using other brand parts. i only insist on using my factory ignition switch. how detailed were the ron francis instructions? if they give me step by step instructions or diagrams to follow then i can do it. i am a novice at this but i gotta learn some day.
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The directions are great for the kit I have, all wires are labeled, there is a big diagram of the entire car, and the "bags" of circuit specific wires have a detailed description/diagram for every wire. I think it is a nicer kit than my buddies painless stuff, but thats just me.

I am also a novice at electrical stuff and was worried about install because I am putting a new Hemi in mine... But, it looks like a slam-dunk if you follow the directions and take your time.

JOE
 
I used an American auto wire highway 22 kit. Worked out well. Have heard good things about Ron Francis stuff too.
 
here is a PIC I had on my phone of the Express Kit, separated into bags with instructions in each like I mentioned. You move from bag to bag to keep it simple. I dont know if the bare bonz is the same, but I would think so..

JOE
 

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To keep it simple to understand. Tink of the charging system,ign system as stand alone systems that just happen to tie in. It's not near as hard to do as it sounds. Just time consuming...


Here are a few diagrams that we made up when wiring my dart... I kept my stock ign switch, stock turn sig switch.

71DartIgnitionWiring.jpg


71DartChargingWiring.jpg


71DartTurnSigWiring.jpg
 
I never hear anything good about the painless kits... If you are trying to decide between the painless and Francis kits. Go With the Francis kit..
 
ok guys, i bit the bullet and ordered my kit today. i decided to go with the painless 8-circuit universal kit. this kit is from what i have read, about the most straight forward install you can get. i chose this over the ron francis because the fuse box is already wired up. i only have to terminate the end going to the correct circuit. here is a pic. and the details.

prf-10307_w.jpg


Painless Performance universal modular chassis harnesses are basic wiring harnesses for projects like sand rails or down and dirty Jeeps, rock crawlers, etc. These harnesses contain eight basic circuits (headlights, taillights, wipers, horn, etc.), 25 feet of wire from the dash back, and 16 feet of wire from the dash forward. These harnesses have sufficient wire to accommodate any vehicle project.
 
Mad Dart said:
For what you are doing. This 21 Circuit kit here would be fine with ROOM to expand. The 8 Circut kit you posted is twice as expensive as this kit here. They have smaller Circuit kits also but price is about the same as the 21 Circuit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21-Circuit-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item483ffa92c7&vxp=mtr

View attachment 1714567672
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thanks for the idea. i would go that route but i like the idea of being able to call the seller and trouble shoot my install if need be. the kit i posted is easily expandable if need be also. the kit is only $289 from summit and i had a credit on my account as well as free shippping. all told i got the kit and the new light switch for 120 bucks.
 
Make sure all the wires in that painless kit are labeled correctly. There have been many instances where the wire says it's going one place and it's coming out of the fuse block, etc, from the wrong location.
 
younggun2.0 said:
thanks for the idea. i would go that route but i like the idea of being able to call the seller and trouble shoot my install if need be. the kit i posted is easily expandable if need be also. the kit is only $289 from summit and i had a credit on my account as well as free shippping. all told i got the kit and the new light switch for 120 bucks.
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I hear you. You did get a good deal. Maybe another member can use the information. The kit I posted does come with a pretty good Instruction Manual. I have been doing wiring for alot of years. Tech who, what?? haaa:D

It comes down to the Install as to how the job will turn out no matter what harness is used. Like Cracked posted, even the more expensive "Name Brand" Kits have their issues.
 
younggun2.0 said:
thanks for the idea. i would go that route but i like the idea of being able to call the seller and trouble shoot my install if need be. the kit i posted is easily expandable if need be also. the kit is only $289 from summit and i had a credit on my account as well as free shippping. all told i got the kit and the new light switch for 120 bucks.
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and you only need to spend about $500 more to rewire the car properly...lol
 
abodyjoe said:
and you only need to spend about $500 more to rewire the car properly...lol
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True, seems like no matter what, using any wiring harness you will be spending more on odds and ends etc no doubt.

I did my EFI Harness/Fuse Block etc from scratch and had to purchase all kids of stuff along the way. I was going to just build the cars other harness too but one of these kits will get me close enough to complete, Ill figure out the odds and ends as I go.
 
that little **** like the nubs to rebuild the light sockets in the car, terminals to rebuild stock style connectors, new neutral safety switch connector, new voltage regulator connector...etc...etc...etc all cost a fortune by the time your done..

here ya go younggun.. here is the article from when we wired my car...

may be something useful in it...



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abodyjoe said:
and you only need to spend about $500 more to rewire the car properly...lol
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not sure what you mean? are you saying that the kit comes un-complete? or that the kit is junk? it is what it is. if i bought a crap kit then id rather know before i try and install it.
 
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