After market wire harnesses

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be sure to clean and rebuild all the lighting sockets..


before

DSC_9315.jpg



after

DSC_9321.jpg




may also want to ground each socket.. makes a huge difference.. just solider the terminal to the socket and ground it to the body in a good place..

DSC_9299.jpg




use the proper crimp tool to get the proper safe crimps..

DSC_9153.jpg
 
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.

1) personally i think anything from painless is junk. but every one has their opinion.. i also don't like the pre wired fuse box. limits too much stuff. but that is personal preference too.



2) it no where near complete.. none of the kits are 100% complete, some are more complete then others.. you need a ton of terminals and other things to wire the car properly. not to mention the proper crimp tool. then heat shrink,tape etc..etc...etc...
 
be sure to clean and rebuild all the lighting sockets..


before

DSC_9315.jpg



after

DSC_9321.jpg




may also want to ground each socket.. makes a huge difference.. just solider the terminal to the socket and ground it to the body in a good place..

DSC_9299.jpg




use the proper crimp tool to get the proper safe crimps..

DSC_9153.jpg

what exact crimp too did you use in that picture? those look great.
i have the 1157 bulbs with the snap in sockets for my rear tail lights.
 
what exact crimp too did you use in that picture?


it was a friends crimp tool.. forget who made it.. i'll see if i can find out. i know it had different jaws to crimp different types of terminals..
 
here ya go.. he says he has this crimp tool [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-18900-Professional-Ratcheting/dp/B0002STTSY"]S&G Tool Aid 18900 Professional Ratcheting Terminal Crimper : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

i swore it was something a lot more expensive or i would have bought one by now..lol but thats the one he says he has..
 
Joe,

looks like this one comes with all the attachments/jaws like you mentioned for different crimps...

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-18920-Ratcheting-Terminal/dp/B0002STTTI"]S & G Tool Aid 18920 Ratcheting Terminal Crimping Kit- 5 Piece - Amazon.com[/ame]

JOE
 
I'm with Joe on the Autowire kit. Francis does have some nice stuff going on, too. Francis also has some pretty cool accessories.

I am kinda of amazed how folks won't bat an eye at spending thousands of dollars on killer engine builds, but then shop for the cheapest wiring they can find. Just saying...
 
I have no problem spending money on the wiring. i have already set aside $500 bucks for this project and am willing spend what ever it takes to do it right. I just want something that is user friendly, easy to install and have tech support when i get lost during the install. I do like the Ron Francis bare bonz kit. the only thing that dentures me about them is that i have to terminated the wires at the fuse block and at the final destination. that is twice the chance that "I" the novice electrical installer could make a mistake. I also like the painless wiring when it comes to the headlight switch. It is a gm switch (could care less who made it) and comes with a plug that you attach to your wire ends. It isnt a rats nest of spade connectors. I will be purchasing a universal male and female plug set for my steering column wires as well.

thank you ABODYJOE for taking the time to look up that tool for me. i have ordered one already.
 
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

Thats the EZ wiring 21 curcuit kit. It worked well for me but is probably overkill for your project. They do have a bare bones version though.
 
Get the right crimper, makes life so much easier...

The ones in ABJ's pic are called an open barrel or F type crimp, IIRC.

Just make sure you get the right jaws in the tool.
 
where do you guys source your crimp on fittings? butt connectors, spades, etc. i plan to crimp my fittings and then double heat schrink everyone. i have read quite a few pro/cons about soldering connections. I have no expierience with a solder gun so i figured if i kept my connections mechanical and used the correct tools then i should be ok.
 
Just my $0.02

I ordered the 14 circuit painless wiring kit for the Mopar when I rewired my '73 Swinger. I got it at 10% off and with a $100 rebate, so it was only ~$340 shipped. I spent probably another $60 on extra wire, terminals, heat shrink, and connectors at Radioshack/Lowes and I rewired my entire car (light sockets and all). It took me a few months, but the wiring diagrams supplied by abodyjoe helped immensely (thanks again Joe!).

That being said, it appears I got lucky. I have indeed heard of other getting mislabeled wires and missing connectors, but my kit worked and I'm here to vouch for it.

The main key is patience. If you get frustrated easily, just walk away and come back later on. Improvising rarely works in the wiring world.

Good luck!

-Mike
 
Thats the EZ wiring 21 curcuit kit. It worked well for me but is probably overkill for your project. They do have a bare bones version though.

I think you are talking to the OP. I have a ton of stuff going on in my car, this one will work out well for my project.
 
you ain't lying brother......... gonna have to spend couple hundred bucks i see. but screw it. hopefully only have to do it once.

yea its nuts what they get for them.. and its not like you need to buy them in bulk. like ya said do it right and only have to do it once..
 
I'm with Joe on the Autowire kit. Francis does have some nice stuff going on, too. Francis also has some pretty cool accessories.

I am kinda of amazed how folks won't bat an eye at spending thousands of dollars on killer engine builds, but then shop for the cheapest wiring they can find. Just saying...

You can buy a 2K wiring harness and turn it into a PILE of crap real quick on the install. Same goes for the less expensive versions, they can be turned into a work of art on the install if you know what you are doing. So you know there are a whole bunch of people using the less expensive wiring harness with Xlnt Results.

It all comes down to the Quality of the Wiring Job. A Crappy install is a Crappy install no matter what parts are used. I have seen it over and over again where this is the majority of the problem.

As someone always quotes "Pick your Parts, Pay your $$"
 
You can buy a 2K wiring harness and turn it into a PILE of crap real quick on the install. Same goes for the less expensive versions, they can be turned into a work of art on the install if you know what you are doing. So you know there are a whole bunch of people using the less expensive wiring harness with Xlnt Results.

It all comes down to the Quality of the Wiring Job. A Crappy install is a Crappy install no matter what parts are used. I have seen it over and over again where this is the majority of the problem.

As someone always quotes "Pick your Parts, Pay your $$"

Perfectly stated. The Devil's in the details.
 
I just finished rewiring my car with a Ron Francis kit. I am extremely happy with the way it turned out. The instructions were well laid out and color coded. I liked the fact that I could wire a particular circuit I was working on and run the wires "to" the fuse box. I never cared for a prewired box. I never had to call their tech line for help. I used my factory ignition switch as well. I'd recommend you wire the car in sections and don't start on a new section until you are finished with the preceding one. Some circuits are intertwined. I bought all new light sockets at the local auto parts store. You can get new connectors for the factory ignition and turn signal switches at the local radio shack. Good luck and take your time.
 
I have no problem spending money on the wiring. i have already set aside $500 bucks for this project and am willing spend what ever it takes to do it right. I just want something that is user friendly, easy to install and have tech support when i get lost during the install. I do like the Ron Francis bare bonz kit. the only thing that dentures me about them is that i have to terminated the wires at the fuse block and at the final destination. that is twice the chance that "I" the novice electrical installer could make a mistake. I also like the painless wiring when it comes to the headlight switch. It is a gm switch (could care less who made it) and comes with a plug that you attach to your wire ends. It isnt a rats nest of spade connectors. I will be purchasing a universal male and female plug set for my steering column wires as well.

thank you ABODYJOE for taking the time to look up that tool for me. i have ordered one already.

Hey, take no offense, the comment isn't directed at you. I just see this all the time. And I do mean all the time. A guy will spend ten grand on an engine, fifteen grand on a paint job, five Gs on wheels and then get hyper tight when it comes to the one thing that either will make all that stuff happily work for a long time opposed to turning it into constant yard art or an expensive BBQ.


You can buy a 2K wiring harness and turn it into a PILE of crap real quick on the install. Same goes for the less expensive versions, they can be turned into a work of art on the install if you know what you are doing. So you know there are a whole bunch of people using the less expensive wiring harness with Xlnt Results.

It all comes down to the Quality of the Wiring Job. A Crappy install is a Crappy install no matter what parts are used. I have seen it over and over again where this is the majority of the problem.

As someone always quotes "Pick your Parts, Pay your $$"

Absolutely agree completely. The knowledge of the installer plays a huge part of it also. I'm not necessarily talking about wiring as much as good mechanical habits and reasoning.

There are differences in kits and companies. The quality of the wiring, the usability of the fuse panel, the adaptability and the support. I will say that American Autowire has some of the best instructions I've seen and there support has always been top notch. The Francis kits look very nice and Ron is an occasional contributor here. I haven't had a chance to use one of his kits in a very long time, so I can't comment beyond that.

I would strongly recommend getting a good multimeter and a test light. Check your circuits as you build your harness and avoid suprises down the road.
 
Hey, take no offense, the comment isn't directed at you. I just see this all the time. And I do mean all the time. A guy will spend ten grand on an engine, fifteen grand on a paint job, five Gs on wheels and then get hyper tight when it comes to the one thing that either will make all that stuff happily work for a long time opposed to turning it into constant yard art or an expensive BBQ.




Absolutely agree completely. The knowledge of the installer plays a huge part of it also. I'm not necessarily talking about wiring as much as good mechanical habits and reasoning.

There are differences in kits and companies. The quality of the wiring, the usability of the fuse panel, the adaptability and the support. I will say that American Autowire has some of the best instructions I've seen and there support has always been top notch. The Francis kits look very nice and Ron is an occasional contributor here. I haven't had a chance to use one of his kits in a very long time, so I can't comment beyond that.

I would strongly recommend getting a good multimeter and a test light. Check your circuits as you build your harness and avoid suprises down the road.


no offense taken. i was just saying that i am open to all suggestions. I am not made of money but i do make enough sacrifices to fund my project according to the standard i try to hold it to. I am a firm believer that you get out what you put in. I have a nice multi meter and just purchased a nice set of crimpers with several die sets (the set ABODYJOE posted). I think that since this is my first crack at wiring an entire car i will be on here asking for alot of help. I thank you guys for your suggestions and contributions.
 
I used the 12 circuit mini fuse kit from EZ Wire on my 68 cuda. It was a very incomplete kit, and although I bought it for 200 bucks, I probably spent another 400 at least on more wire, terminals, tape, gm weather packs, heat shrink, solder, wire ties...im sure there's more. lol

anyways, it came out awesome, thanks to my brother. he did it the install for me....i got lost in the sauce. LOL

I think next time I will for sure use American Auto Wire.
 
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