Wiring questions?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Denton, TX
Wiring questions?
I am dropping a 351w into my truck and replacing all headlights, taillights, electric fuel pump, horn, turn signals, etc.
So I will need to run all new wiring. I don't have any usable connectors or wiring.
Is there a kit that you all recommend? Maybe a painless kit or something similar?
I see that speedway has some wiring kits that include "GM column connectors." Did ford use a gm column or will those connectors work for my 82 column?
So I will need to run all new wiring. I don't have any usable connectors or wiring.
Is there a kit that you all recommend? Maybe a painless kit or something similar?
I see that speedway has some wiring kits that include "GM column connectors." Did ford use a gm column or will those connectors work for my 82 column?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
No.
I really doubt it - unless GM used Ford-made connectors.
I really doubt it - unless GM used Ford-made connectors.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Any of the "hot rod" kits could be used. Simply a matter of finding one to suit your needs. Painless kits are OK, but not exactly painless on your wallet. Ron Francis makes an excellent product, but again pricey. I put many EZ Wire kits into customer's cars years ago. It was a good product and reasonably priced, but I have not kept up with it. Look for GXL wire and a compact fuseblock. Those GM style fuseboxes are a pain to mount.
As to GM column connectors, you may find many kits with unfinished ends for the ignition switch. Usually the manufacturers instruction tell you how to splice into a customer supplied ignition switch. I recall mounting a GM switch on a Ford column. Not necessarily an improvement and it took some ingenuity, but it did work and it solved the GM ignition switch connector problem. Long time ago and I've probably forgot the details.
Easiest fix would be to simply find a replacement harness for your truck. Nothing really wrong with the factory wiring unless someone has hacked it up. Also watch out for corroded and overheated fusebox connections. Pretty easy to spot and fix while the harness is out.
As to GM column connectors, you may find many kits with unfinished ends for the ignition switch. Usually the manufacturers instruction tell you how to splice into a customer supplied ignition switch. I recall mounting a GM switch on a Ford column. Not necessarily an improvement and it took some ingenuity, but it did work and it solved the GM ignition switch connector problem. Long time ago and I've probably forgot the details.
Easiest fix would be to simply find a replacement harness for your truck. Nothing really wrong with the factory wiring unless someone has hacked it up. Also watch out for corroded and overheated fusebox connections. Pretty easy to spot and fix while the harness is out.
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From: Virginia
Those hot rod kits are not very good for our uses. If you are going to use any of the original switches and components that are found in these trucks, nothing is going to plug in. They basically give you a new fuse box (which is generic) and pieces of labeled wiring leaving this fuse box with blunt cut ends. If you did have your old harness, you would have to cut it at each connector and solder the new generic wiring onto the old plugs and short pieces of wire. And where do most of the problems occur in these old harnesses? You guessed it, the connectors.
You might has well patch up your old harness, it's really the only solution that makes any sense. Unless you are going to make a true hotrod out of it, using all generic switches and sockets.
You might has well patch up your old harness, it's really the only solution that makes any sense. Unless you are going to make a true hotrod out of it, using all generic switches and sockets.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Denton, TX
Well, the vehicle I'm putting the engine into is a 1947 ford half ton. The reason i posted on this thread is because it's an 82 engine.
I don't have the original harness. The donor vehicle's wiring was so hacked up that I couldn't use any of it at all.
I don't have the original harness. The donor vehicle's wiring was so hacked up that I couldn't use any of it at all.
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From: Lake Elsinore
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Well, that changes everything.
Go for the hot rod harness. Consider using a GM column if you can find one.
Post should have gone into the truck year, not the engine year.
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Don't feel bad. I do the same thing. I'm planning a 351W swap into a Nissan Xterra, so I'm planning to go full Ford power train all the way through the rear axle. And my EFI plan means all my tech questions can be asked here.
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