Rewire
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
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Rewire
Hey fellas. Been doing some thinking..I'd like to rewire my truck. I'm thinking this summer I'll pull the engine and put in fresh gaskets, put in a 1 wire alt and HEI dizzy. That should eliminate the brain box and voltage regulator. However, none of my blinkers work, half my lights are dim, some gauges don't work...She just needs some work. Has anybody ever removed the entire harness as one piece and laid out new wires/made an entirely new harness? I've studied electrical engineering for 2 years so far, so I can handle some wiring 
Is there a place I can get new connectors for everything, or should I use blade and spade?
Is there a place I can get new connectors for everything, or should I use blade and spade?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Do some searches, I've seen plenty of threads about it. Most guys just go the route of buying the full kit from American Auto Wire or Painless, but I've still seen a fair share of guys do it themselves. One guy just pulled wires out of a couple Taurus' (I think) and then fabbed his own harness? He was doing the 3G swap at the same time so it might be under that search.
I am planning on doing the main, heavy gauge cables and converting the fuse box in mine to a newer blade style to make things easier. I'll get to the full rewire eventually.
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard sells a ton of the connectors that you'll need but not everything. You're gonna get yelled at by other members for suggesting anything but soldering, lol.
I am planning on doing the main, heavy gauge cables and converting the fuse box in mine to a newer blade style to make things easier. I'll get to the full rewire eventually.
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard sells a ton of the connectors that you'll need but not everything. You're gonna get yelled at by other members for suggesting anything but soldering, lol.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
I pulled mine out when I got my 78. In my opinion (we all know about pinions), it’s not worth reusing the harness if you pull it out. Mine was hacked so I pulled it thinking I could get the connectors and simply fix whatwas broken....nope.. Some connectors aren’t really made anymore, so it will bea lot of junkyard diving to find the right stuff. I agree with 'burnthelight'that the blade type fuses are a million times easier. I sat in AutoZone for anhour trying to ensure I got the right glass fuses and I still haven’t found theright ones....some are slightly too short.
I’m contemplating stealing a harness from a newer truck (85-96 at thelatest) for the simplicity of blade fuses; some models had power windows and such. If you pull the whole harness then you already have the wiring done for pretty much anything anyone will ever want. You want power windows? Put yourmotors in the door and replace the relay and wa la. And since the newer trucksstill used mostly the same engines as ours, the alternators are no problem.
I guess long story short, I’ve been burned by the harness. I got it all working. I like it, but if ever I get the chance, that thing is coming out. I know there’s couple users on here who put an American auto wire, Painless, etc.harness in. If I remember correctly, they didn’t have to much issue with it.
There is it that is my opposing argument to keeping the old harness. Pleaseno one murder me lol.
I’m contemplating stealing a harness from a newer truck (85-96 at thelatest) for the simplicity of blade fuses; some models had power windows and such. If you pull the whole harness then you already have the wiring done for pretty much anything anyone will ever want. You want power windows? Put yourmotors in the door and replace the relay and wa la. And since the newer trucksstill used mostly the same engines as ours, the alternators are no problem.
I guess long story short, I’ve been burned by the harness. I got it all working. I like it, but if ever I get the chance, that thing is coming out. I know there’s couple users on here who put an American auto wire, Painless, etc.harness in. If I remember correctly, they didn’t have to much issue with it.
There is it that is my opposing argument to keeping the old harness. Pleaseno one murder me lol.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
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I like your thinking on the newer harness. Unfortunately, getting married this summer and being in college means a painless harness is just not in the budget. I have about a grand set aside to get this thing safe. That means new lights (possibly a socket upgrade to new style sockets), new brakes all around, new gaskets in the engine, new windshield, and new window seals. And of course, new wires. Overall, I need to be able to hand my wife the keys and know I'm not gonna get a call saying "the truck lit on fire on main street" or "the brakes went out" or "the engine exploded"....etc...
Will I need to splice in my dash wires if I go with a bullnose/bricknose wiring harness? There are so many of them in scrapyards by me it is ridiculous.
Will I need to splice in my dash wires if I go with a bullnose/bricknose wiring harness? There are so many of them in scrapyards by me it is ridiculous.
New User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Fredericktown
I am in the last few steps in the install of a Centech kit for my 75 250. It is $450 for a standard kit. It has been very easy. Jim at Centech cares about his customers and will not leave you hanging if you have questions. It comes with much of what you will need but don't destroy the old one in getting it out. It does not come with the light sockets so you might want to price new ones. My old wiring had all kinds of gremlins. Now, I will know that all the grounds and connections are done right. I did a 3G conversion and Jim wired the connections to make it work. I also bought a low mount for the 93 Taurus Alt on eBay so there is no head clearance issues. Hope this helped. Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
From: The Lone Star State
NBCSteve did a nice write up on swapping in a newer blade type fuse box I think it was painless... and didn't look too hard to do either! Ha Ha. I think this is a good 1st step in modernizing / upgrading your wiring system. Search his posts on his Candy Cane and you'll find his writeup.
New harnesses are expensive and very involved to install especially if your truck is not stripped. They are probably a good idea if you are going to sink in some serious coin restoring your ride and I also hear Centech is a good outfit. However, if budget it tight you might buy some more time and save money by doing some through inspection of the harness that is exposed to the elements and then cleaning and re-wrapping with some 3M friction tape, then cover with some armor. As mentioned the plastic connectors break and can be tough or impossible to find but those too can be changed out with weather pack connectors. To to that right, you'll need to buy some special tools.
I've ordered from DelCity and got good service.
Weather Pack Connectors and Components
Anything that looks discolored, frayed, cut you'll need to replace or repair.
A good investment is a fire extinguisher too.
New harnesses are expensive and very involved to install especially if your truck is not stripped. They are probably a good idea if you are going to sink in some serious coin restoring your ride and I also hear Centech is a good outfit. However, if budget it tight you might buy some more time and save money by doing some through inspection of the harness that is exposed to the elements and then cleaning and re-wrapping with some 3M friction tape, then cover with some armor. As mentioned the plastic connectors break and can be tough or impossible to find but those too can be changed out with weather pack connectors. To to that right, you'll need to buy some special tools.
I've ordered from DelCity and got good service.
Weather Pack Connectors and Components
Anything that looks discolored, frayed, cut you'll need to replace or repair.
A good investment is a fire extinguisher too.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
I agree with kikkup. Wasnt trying to persuade you to buy a new harness. I pulled mine out simply to ensure all my circuits were good. Put it back in and no issues. Only issues I hate are the fuses. If done right, you can ensure yourself that your wife wont burn the truck down. FORD (found on road dead) might be another problem, but thats a whole truck thing.
Qouting HIOsilver from the below listed thread
Fire It Up
New/known good battery
Full tune-up... plugs, wires, etc. and a carb rebuild kit. A spare starter solenoid is a good idea.
Rebuild the carb.
If the fuel tank is of unknown condition, run the fuel pump from a gas can.
.... have a fire extinguisher handy or "fire it up" may have a whole new meaning.
... from here on out it is really up to you. Personally, I like to verify the electrical systems as a matter of safety (lights, horns, etc.) and then start on brakes and steering.
Good luck!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rescued-3.html
He is talking about a 'new' truck inspection for yourself. I like his thinking though. Fix wiring, steering and brakes.
"You can go as fast as you want as long as you can stop"
Qouting HIOsilver from the below listed thread
Fire It Up
New/known good battery
Full tune-up... plugs, wires, etc. and a carb rebuild kit. A spare starter solenoid is a good idea.
Rebuild the carb.
If the fuel tank is of unknown condition, run the fuel pump from a gas can.
.... have a fire extinguisher handy or "fire it up" may have a whole new meaning.
... from here on out it is really up to you. Personally, I like to verify the electrical systems as a matter of safety (lights, horns, etc.) and then start on brakes and steering.
Good luck!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rescued-3.html
He is talking about a 'new' truck inspection for yourself. I like his thinking though. Fix wiring, steering and brakes.
"You can go as fast as you want as long as you can stop"
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2014
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I appreciate the input guys. I've been driving it around off and on, but when I get home this summer for my internship, I have access to dad's tools and garage. He is an electrician, and has all the tools for this. Fire extinguisher is definitely a must. I'm pulling the motor, the Beams, etc, and redoing gaskets, bushings, bearings, springs, etc. I was thinking wires all throughout, but maybe I'll just clean all the grounds and do some repair on the wires that look crusty.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 126
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
Just thought I would add, I'm in the process of reinstalling my old harness myself.
only had to replace one connector. So far.
I have a good full battery, there is power going through the harness . turning my key will not engage the solenoid, I don't think the solenoid is bad, and I don't think I have missed any ground wires. going to double check everything again including the neutral safety switch.
Just will say too, I have had the engine running. By-passed the solenoid and cranked it over, ran it for a bit just to have it run for a bit, hopefully soon she s back on the road.
Good luck with your project
only had to replace one connector. So far.
I have a good full battery, there is power going through the harness . turning my key will not engage the solenoid, I don't think the solenoid is bad, and I don't think I have missed any ground wires. going to double check everything again including the neutral safety switch.
Just will say too, I have had the engine running. By-passed the solenoid and cranked it over, ran it for a bit just to have it run for a bit, hopefully soon she s back on the road.
Good luck with your project
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
I didnt see it mentioned, but for a budget option, EZ Wiring is hard to beat. I used Painless in a '54 F-100 and, looking back, I wish I'd gotten EZ Wiring instead. I dont know if they were a company back then, though.
I have that harness in my Bronco and any other vehicle I replace wiring on will be getting the same.
I have that harness in my Bronco and any other vehicle I replace wiring on will be getting the same.
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Chevmn56
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Aug 18, 2013 10:23 AM