Hi Everyone,

I saw this harness for sale on e-bay, but cannot decide if it is worth the $50-70 or so I think it will take to win the bid; seller says fuse block is with harness and harness is complete except for part going to tail-lights. The 66 I just got has a nasty mess of wires (all the same color on top of it) and a universal (cheap looking) fuse block. Ron Francis sells whole harness/fuse block systems in the range of $300-500 if you want to run an electric fan and an externally regulated altenator. I am more interested in reliability as opposed to total originality. Is it worth it to try a used harness or bite the bullet and get something you know is top notch?

Thanks, Gavin

1965 66 Ford F 100 Wiring Harness | eBay

 

It is simpler and more reliable to install new. You can buy a 12-20 circuit "universal" harness off ebay for less than 100 bucks and do the installation yourself in a couple days. You can crutch old switches with relays and you can buy most all new switches for not a lot of money. I sure would not use 50=yo wires in anything I needed to depend on. IMHO!

 

the flipside to going new is how good are you with electrical stuff as gremlins are a common thing in any kind of electrical harness tweak or rewiring vs putting an OE harness in...if theres no cuts in the wires(ignition switch area is the most common area) I would feel ok with 50-70 for it...the tail harness plugs into this harness so thats a non issue if your rear wiring is ok...it plugs in right below the steering column area under the hood...2 flat plugs.
Ive been hunting for a nice clean uncut dash harness for my rig for some time...Ive come close a couple of times but somethings always been cut of otherwise not right for my truck.


- cs65

 

I typically get around $50 for a decent harness on Ebay.

 

Not worth buying... just rewired my truck with american auto wire setup and it was super easy! Never wired a car before this..

 

Depends on how much willing to spend, there are repro's with same wire color codes and connectors then it's a matter of unplugging the old and plug in the new, and it's possible to include couple extra circuit. The aftermarket kits may be the better way to go if intend to install a few circuits, and the dash harness is in poor condition; although have reconditioned the dash harness and can be time consuming. Have not compared price between the kit and repro's, did purchase the repro 'head and taillight harness' bout $100 ea., and the alternator harness for around $50, very impressed with the quality. The topic has come up on occasion where members(s) did not find the kits that difficult to install, and with others not so. If decide to go with the kit suggest purchase a name brand that way if problem with instructions have customer support. There is a 'how to' article, can't recall what yr/mo in CarCraft magazine should be able to go to their website and search 'archives'. Seem to recall same with Classic Truck mag.

 

In my opinion using a 50+ year old harness is a risk. No matter what the seller says you won't know condition and completeness until you have it in hand. And the brittle nature of the rubber insulation with loss of flexibility will likely cause it to chip off in spots due to simply handling it.

I have a Ron Francis kit - expensive, yes - that I'm going to start this month after the dash is painted.

Whatever you decide good luck...

 

Thanks for the input all. I went to $45 just because I could see the emergency flasher pull switch in the photo (which is missing in the truck and I have not seen that item reproduced). Anyway probably best to go with new wiring, I have no problem with electricity so aftermarket installation is not a problem. The Ron Francis kit is a bit pricey, but from a quality and flexibility standpoint I think I will cash in the spare change in our two quart mason jars and go that route.

Thanks again,
Gavin

 

I have the flasher if needed...

 

Thanks CWindsor,
Let me know what you want for the switch or if there is anything you are looking for that I may have.

Gavin