Thank you folks for your advice.
Greg

 

I for one would like to keep my 49 F2 stock original with 6V harness. Many of the aftermarket kits seem to be fairly undersized in term of gauge number of the wires and to be used with 12V only.
I really wonder which one could safely be run on a 6V system.

 

There are people that make stock looking harnesses for 6 volt trucks. Call MidFifty or some others or do a search.

 

I'm pretty sure Narragansett Reproduction harnesses are specifically engineered to meet the requirements of the application for which they are intended e.g. A vehicle with a 6V system would be matched with a harness with the correct gauge wire.

Jim

 

I've used the Rebel Wire 21 circuit harness and it seems to be really good quality, wires marked every 6" and really good support for any questions you may have. Can't say it's any better than anybody else, but I've had a good experience with this brand.

 

Use a harness specific for your truck, as some of the other guys have said, from Mid 50, or Sacramento Vintage ford, I got mine from Sac Ford for a 56 pickup and used it in a 56 cab forward 2 ton, its all taped and ends where you need it with the correct ends the numbers and chart work very well, on the truck I needed to lengthen a couple wires and just unwound the harness tape cut the end off several inches from the terminal soldered in the extra length needed,shrink wrapped it and harnessed it back in, you'll never see it, I've ripped out painfull kits and rebuilt harness from scratch as those kits have way too many wires for what you need and mostly are generic,kinda a fits all, from what I've seen poorly.

 

How you go about the wiring project depends on what you're doing with your truck. I used a Painless generic kit. It was great. I will say that I was starting with an updated engine and went to a 12v system. I used an Ididit steering column, so the wiring for that was a generic GM style plug. The painless kit came with that. Every wire was labeled along the whole wire and color coded. I did have to split out a few items. I am using a electric fuel pump, and modern tail lights (with two lights in the back!!). It was very straightforward after I laid the harness out on the floor in front of the truck. There are several groups of wires that run to basically the same location (under the hood, to the back of the truck and under the dash). Once I had the groups routed to match my equipment, I installed the fuse block and routed the groups. I did not use the Painless arrangement for the alternator charging line. The Painless kit routed the alternator main battery line in to the fuse block, then back out to the battery terminal. I cut that out and wired the battery charging lead to the battery terminal on the starter solenoid with a big fuse in line. That cut out about 8 feet of wire for that circuit.

The Painless kit was fine, but I did have to buy a Ron Francis harness for the Ford alternator. the Ron Francis supplied parts were hands-down higher quality. They also charge for that quality.

If you're going to a stock vehicle and everything is all original, then find a supplier that is period correct.

Keep us posted!!

Dan

 

I just finished shopping for a harness for my 51 F1. Went to Rhode Island Wiring, Narragansett Reproduction, American Autowire, YNZ Yesterdays Parts, Ron Francis, Sacramento Vintage Ford, and Tyree Harris. Here is my experience:
Rhode Island-doesn't want to start with an email inquiry-you need to call and talk to them right off the bat. I haven't had a chance to call.
Narragansett Reproduction-email inquiry sent-got a response that they will get back to me.
American Autowire: responded to an email inquiry; sent me a link to their site with a recommendation to use their Highway 15 Nostalgia Kit.
YNZ Yesterdays Parts-sent me the link to the parts/price list for a 51 F1 with a message to call with questions.
Ron Francis-sent me a very detailed email with suggestions and recommendations. Sent hard copy of catalog in the mail. Advised me to call to discuss so they can put together the correct harness for my needs.
Sacramento Vintage Ford-has not responded to the email inquiry.
Tyree Harris-Called me the next day after my email inquiry. Spoke to me at length about what circuits I would need. Then we shot the breeze for a while about cars.

Rhode Island, Narragansett Reproduction, YNZ, Sacramento Vintige, and Tyree Harris all make the complete vehicle specific harnesses, with everything bundled and taped, clearly marked, using new wire with the cloth outer wrap. American Autowire and Ron Francis make universal kits.

If I were to use a universal, I would use Ron Francis-they seemed to be on top of things, with a detailed response to my inquiry.

I decided, in the end, before I have responses from all vendors, to go with Tyree Harris. Why? He has a great reputation, he has been doing this for 40 years, and he was fun to talk to. Oh, and he said he would get my harnesses put together and shipped out in a week or so. He puts the invoice in the package, so I don't even pay him until I receive the harnesses!

I sent him a follow up email, listing out the additional items that needed to be included, in case we forgot to mention it during our conversation.

I will post pictures to this thread when I receive the harnesses.

John

 

Has anyone purchased and installed the Jegs universal wire harness?

I am looking for a universal wire harness that has a compact size so I can mount it in my truck's glove box. I don't have a stock dash as I cut and welded in a dash from a 49 Ford Passenger car.

The glove box opening is about 4 1/2 inches tall and Jegs fuse box is about the same. Jegs claims the harness is US made.

Looking for feedback on their harness kit.

Thanks

Dan

 

Nope , But you might look at this. I just ordered mine will be here Tues next week . 122 reviews and most is 5 star.

Looking at the instructions it seems pretty straight forward. And its cheaper in price. fuse box is 5-1/2"L x 4-1/2"W x 3-1/4"H

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ss,229874.html


They also have a 12 circuit one and a small fuse box , I dont know what your planning on running.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...ness,2352.html

• Mainfuse box base is 1-7/8" x 3-11/16"
• Box height is 3-3/4"

 

That 22 circuit Speedway kit looks pretty good except that I don't see a spot on the fuse panel for the 4 way flasher. If you have a modern steering column I think that you would have to add that flasher into the harness.

 

 

+1 on Rebel

 

Speedway wire harness kit is foreign made, but looks to be good quality.

Jegs kit is US made and looks to be good quality too, but about $75 dollars more.

Summit has a couple of kits that I want to look into as well, but almost $300.

EZwire had a mini 20 circuit - but have stopped production and have no old stock available. This is what I originally wanted.

There is some old stock (EZwire mini20) available through ebay but EZwire said they would not warranty the product or provide technical assistance.

So, I am still doing research on wire harnesses. Rebel wire won't answer my emails but I plan on calling them to ask a few questions.

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions.

 

Jegs looks like the Haywire kit I bought . Just make sure that the wire is a cross-link coating cross-link will not burn is thicker and tougher. Now if someone will come and wire my truck I will be happy.