Recommendations for Ford Engineers
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Recommendations for Ford Engineers
I just spent the better part of 2 days chasing wires from the front of my truck to the rear. My initial intent was to just run a wire up to the upfitter switches to do the garbage truck alarm mod (thanks Beevil for providing the wiring diagram and suggestions! Rep coming your way, works great!).
Since I have been entertaining adding a salter to the truck and an air compressor, I decided to run some higher capacity wires to the back as well. I am very leery of chafing, so I spent some time making sure everything was in conduit, taped and tie wrapped off.
I'm sure Ford Engineers know that these trucks will have equipment added to them. Therefore, a few minutes on the design computer will help alleviate customers from knuckle rubbing, blood running swearing sessions. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Run open conduits down both frame rails with periodic openings to run wires out of them.
2) Provide an electrical chase from the frame up to the engine bay on BOTH sides.
3) Install a wiring bay near the power distribution box so that wiring can be tucked away from other components.
4) PLEASE (I know copper is expensive) add a few more inches to your blunt end connectors!
Sorry for the rant... I'm going to sit down with a beer and lick my bloody knuckles...
Since I have been entertaining adding a salter to the truck and an air compressor, I decided to run some higher capacity wires to the back as well. I am very leery of chafing, so I spent some time making sure everything was in conduit, taped and tie wrapped off.
I'm sure Ford Engineers know that these trucks will have equipment added to them. Therefore, a few minutes on the design computer will help alleviate customers from knuckle rubbing, blood running swearing sessions. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Run open conduits down both frame rails with periodic openings to run wires out of them.
2) Provide an electrical chase from the frame up to the engine bay on BOTH sides.
3) Install a wiring bay near the power distribution box so that wiring can be tucked away from other components.
4) PLEASE (I know copper is expensive) add a few more inches to your blunt end connectors!
Sorry for the rant... I'm going to sit down with a beer and lick my bloody knuckles...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
Wow, I'm reading marauder's fantastic post, loving the idea's, thinking what a great asset he is to our little community, joining him with a cold one hoping his stuff goes great.
Then.......
Cheezit strikes.
Then.......
Cheezit strikes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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If that happens I guess I'll add a plug after they've been cut or I'll make the cut myself where I want it.
Better yet, I hope my cab doesn't need removing anytime soon.
FTE Legend
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From: North Bay Ont Canada
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Roll Tide, Roll
I just spent the better part of 2 days chasing wires from the front of my truck to the rear. My initial intent was to just run a wire up to the upfitter switches to do the garbage truck alarm mod (thanks Beevil for providing the wiring diagram and suggestions! Rep coming your way, works great!).
Since I have been entertaining adding a salter to the truck and an air compressor, I decided to run some higher capacity wires to the back as well. I am very leery of chafing, so I spent some time making sure everything was in conduit, taped and tie wrapped off.
I'm sure Ford Engineers know that these trucks will have equipment added to them. Therefore, a few minutes on the design computer will help alleviate customers from knuckle rubbing, blood running swearing sessions. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Run open conduits down both frame rails with periodic openings to run wires out of them.
2) Provide an electrical chase from the frame up to the engine bay on BOTH sides.
3) Install a wiring bay near the power distribution box so that wiring can be tucked away from other components.
4) PLEASE (I know copper is expensive) add a few more inches to your blunt end connectors!
Sorry for the rant... I'm going to sit down with a beer and lick my bloody knuckles...
Since I have been entertaining adding a salter to the truck and an air compressor, I decided to run some higher capacity wires to the back as well. I am very leery of chafing, so I spent some time making sure everything was in conduit, taped and tie wrapped off.
I'm sure Ford Engineers know that these trucks will have equipment added to them. Therefore, a few minutes on the design computer will help alleviate customers from knuckle rubbing, blood running swearing sessions. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Run open conduits down both frame rails with periodic openings to run wires out of them.
2) Provide an electrical chase from the frame up to the engine bay on BOTH sides.
3) Install a wiring bay near the power distribution box so that wiring can be tucked away from other components.
4) PLEASE (I know copper is expensive) add a few more inches to your blunt end connectors!
Sorry for the rant... I'm going to sit down with a beer and lick my bloody knuckles...
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A lot of my grief could have been prevented if the designers realized that trucks like these do get modified. I'm sure in your work you have seen it all and probably could add to my list.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
I have seen stuff that one could not even dream up. it sucks for both parties. me haveing to tell you either you remove it or it gets cut and I can put it back.. almost never happens but it still does.
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Once I realized what laid ahead, I finished up the relay part of the GT alarm mod and drank several cold ones. By the time I finished my wiring this afternoon, I challenge anyone to tell the difference between my wiring and the factory's. I should add this is not saying much. There were a number of potential chafe on the factory harnesses that I
felt compelled to correct. Glad they sell tie wraps in bundles of 1,000
I feel for Cheezit. He has probably seen it all.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,094
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From: Central Illinois
I agree, some type of wire chase or conduit on the chassis would be a great idea. I'd also like to see a wire chase that would run from access panels at the end of the dash to the middle of the dash. The option for more upfitter switches would also be nice.
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You are absolutely right, the inside stuff could be done better as well. They went through the trouble of installing relays on the upfitters but they could have made it easier by running these straight through the firewall with wires attached. And your point on the wire chase is dead on. There is no clean way to run these to the middle of the dash.
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