SalC
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I have a '75 Duster which originally had a 318, the guy that owned it before me modified it quite a bit putting in a 426 wedge, manual shift automatic, big gear, etc. He moved pretty much all of the engine bay wiring and electrical components under the dash (coil, MSD box, starter relay, etc) and the battery to trunk. Problem is he wasn't very organized or astute electrically. Is was a rat's nest to say the least (see pics). Wire nutted everything and in some cases just taped the connections. Had no sense of wire colors (some hot's were white wires and even some grounds were white - Yikes!) Since it's a 1975 it did have crap I don't want or need anymore like seatbelt command module, etc.
So my objective is to rebuild it the right way. None of the dash panel gauges worked so I'm probably just going to install new aftermarket type gauges, I'm not looking to have a stock car. This is more of a street / drag car.
I've completed the "surgery" and need to rebuild it electrically. Some notables and questions are:
1) Since I'm not after a "stock" look should I start with a generic type harness rather than a replacement?
2) The key switch in the column doesn't work, he had a push button starter switch along with a kill switch. His setup was primitive but I'm cool with a start button panel with accessory switches.
3) Since it will be streetable I'll still need functional lights, tail lights, turn signals, etc.
4) Not concerned about a radio or wipers.
5) Adding a B&M ratchet shifter for drag strip so removing the old center console and associated stuff.
6) Want to keep the engine bay like it is, very little wiring (only distributor and alternator).
7) Want to keep the battery in the trunk. Has a battery kill switch already.
To me the most economical route is a generic type harness like EZ Wiring or Painless? I'm pretty good electrically so I'm pretty confident I'm not over my skis on this one.
Opinions?
I have a '75 Duster which originally had a 318, the guy that owned it before me modified it quite a bit putting in a 426 wedge, manual shift automatic, big gear, etc. He moved pretty much all of the engine bay wiring and electrical components under the dash (coil, MSD box, starter relay, etc) and the battery to trunk. Problem is he wasn't very organized or astute electrically. Is was a rat's nest to say the least (see pics). Wire nutted everything and in some cases just taped the connections. Had no sense of wire colors (some hot's were white wires and even some grounds were white - Yikes!) Since it's a 1975 it did have crap I don't want or need anymore like seatbelt command module, etc.
So my objective is to rebuild it the right way. None of the dash panel gauges worked so I'm probably just going to install new aftermarket type gauges, I'm not looking to have a stock car. This is more of a street / drag car.
I've completed the "surgery" and need to rebuild it electrically. Some notables and questions are:
1) Since I'm not after a "stock" look should I start with a generic type harness rather than a replacement?
2) The key switch in the column doesn't work, he had a push button starter switch along with a kill switch. His setup was primitive but I'm cool with a start button panel with accessory switches.
3) Since it will be streetable I'll still need functional lights, tail lights, turn signals, etc.
4) Not concerned about a radio or wipers.
5) Adding a B&M ratchet shifter for drag strip so removing the old center console and associated stuff.
6) Want to keep the engine bay like it is, very little wiring (only distributor and alternator).
7) Want to keep the battery in the trunk. Has a battery kill switch already.
To me the most economical route is a generic type harness like EZ Wiring or Painless? I'm pretty good electrically so I'm pretty confident I'm not over my skis on this one.
Opinions?
