65 Dart Wiring Harness in a 66 Dart

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Cliff'sDodge

Cliff's66Dart
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#1 Aside from the obvious instrument panel difference 65 round, 66 retangular, which I can modify, are the harnesses the same?

#2 Can I replace the old style Fuse Box with a new universal blade style. I plan on eliminating the Bulkhead connector too. Wire it straight through the firewall.
 
one of the 3 years had a different bulkhead connector (3 maybe) 66 was different, 2.
 
Last edited:
one of the 3 years had a different bulkhead connector (3 maybe) 66 was different.

63 and 65’s used a solid buss bar through the bulkhead connector for the battery and alternator wiring rather than the Packard 56 terminals, IMHO a much better solution.

#1 Aside from the obvious instrument panel difference 65 round, 66 retangular, which I can modify, are the harnesses the same?

With the buss bar arrangements, definitely not the same. Location of other terminals within each bulkhead connector are probably different.

#2 Can I replace the old style Fuse Box with a new universal blade style. I plan on eliminating the Bulkhead connector too. Wire it straight through the firewall.

I don’t see why not. In my 65 Dart My underdash harness is basically a marriage of a modified 65 Dart bulkhead connector with 3 buss bars to a modified J Body harness to aftermarket blade fuse panel(s). My engine harness is basically a modified 65 Dart with headlight relays and maxifuses protecting the alternator wiring and wiring going inside to the ignition switch and headlight switch
 
If you do decide to play mix-and-match, make sure to label the wires for future reference. The wire paths may not match a stock diagram and troubleshooting will be difficult without some way to identify the wires.
 
If you do decide to play mix-and-match, make sure to label the wires for future reference. The wire paths may not match a stock diagram and troubleshooting will be difficult without some way to identify the wires.

I am making a separate schematic for each system on the underdash and engine compartment harnesses, i.e. for the headlight wiring, ignition switch modules, fuse panels (separate panels for Always Hot and Hot Only in the Run/ACC position, even the door ajar circuit. I made my life (and a future owner (probably one of my 2 sons) easier by running each bulkhead wire in it’s original 65 location.
 
I am making a separate schematic for each system on the underdash and engine compartment harnesses, i.e. for the headlight wiring, ignition switch modules, fuse panels (separate panels for Always Hot and Hot Only in the Run/ACC position, even the door ajar circuit. I made my life (and a future owner (probably one of my 2 sons) easier by running each bulkhead wire in it’s original 65 location.

Would you like to share your schematics with me? Please?
 
Would you like to share your schematics with me? Please?

I am still under construction on the underdash harness as I am double (and triple checking) where each wire is supposed to go before wrapping it all up in the harness tape. I will be happy to send a copy of each schematic when I’m finally finished. These will include headlight, ignition switch, fuse panels and commonly used accessories.

You probably won’t need my schematics for my Dakota Digital instrument cluster module or accessory modules. One set controls automatic headlight off/on depending on outside brightness or darkness and the dome light/courtesy lights fading out when the door is closed. The other module controls turning off accessories that it controls when the door is opened - radio, power windows etc.
 
I am still under construction on the underdash harness as I am double (and triple checking) where each wire is supposed to go before wrapping it all up in the harness tape. I will be happy to send a copy of each schematic when I’m finally finished. These will include headlight, ignition switch, fuse panels and commonly used accessories.

You probably won’t need my schematics for my
Blade Fuse.jpg
module or accessory modules. One set controls automatic headlight off/on depending on outside brightness or darkness and the dome light/courtesy lights fading out when the door is closed. The other module controls turning off accessories that it controls when the door is opened - radio, power windows etc.

I would like to replace the existing Fuse box with a more reliable blade fuse and place it under the hood.
 
I will be using Maxi-fuses in a modular relay/fuse panel I sourced from a company in the UK. Besides protecting the Hi/Low headlight circuits, they also protect the circuit from the alternator to battery, one to protect the circuit to the headlight switch and two separate fuses protecting a pair of circuits to the ignition switch. This fuse/relay panel will be mounted under the battery tray where it will still be accessible but not look too out of place as I’m striving for a nearly stock looking engine compartment.
 
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