I have an 1981 f100 xlt with a 302 and and automatic transmission....and no engine wiring it was eaten by rats before I got the truck and am having a crazy time finding a replacement harness any ideas where I can get one or an aftermarket one that would work

 

Welcome to FTE.
Them little buggers eat anything & everything!


The only way I see a fix is a good used one from a junk yard or someone parting out a truck.
Do know that this harness runs one side of the dash to the other and goes thru the firewall on each side. Left side does engine bay on that side to the radiator support and hooks to the rear harness under the master. The right side does that side of the engine bay to the radiator support.
So the truck has to come almost all the way apart. I found it best to pull the dash with harness.

I also believe any of the v8 harness to be good to use over the 6 cyl harness but if all you can et is a 6 you would need to make some wires longer or shorter as needed.
I also run into ALT plugs being different between 2 of the same year trucks I had 1 being AC the other non-AC.


For after market AFAIK there is no "bolt in" harness. You have to run all the wires and crimp the ends on them and they may not have the same plugs your truck side has so need to deal with that.


I will say this do not get rid of any of the old harness till you have your truck running for a bit. Nothing worst needing something form it and not have it.
Dave ----

 

Do not hesitate, go to a junkyard.

It will be your best opción 😁

 

While I have no problem replacing a harness, I don't think I ever have. I do keep a few old wiring harnesses around to use for repairs so I can get the right colored wires. Wires are color coded and shouldn't be hard to match up. Take your time, used good connectors. I use un-insulated crimp type and heat shrink. You can buy them with heat shrink sleeves but they are expensive. If you can't save the old loom, buy new and tidy it all back up. I have even completely wired cars and bikes I've built the same way. You will need a really good stripper, I have a blue Point I've used for 30 years, and a good set of crimping pliers like Thomas and Betts or Channel-lock. Not those cheap all in one stripper/crimper tools like the parts stores sell in a kit.

 

Is the harness under the dash damaged or just the engine wiring under the hood?


If its just under the hood/ignition related you can buy one new for about $150 or you could make one for $1.50 in a few hours and bit of ingenuity.

 

Where can you get a new underhood harness for $150? I have been waiting for someone to make something, but haven't seen it yet.

 

DuraSpark II Ignition HarnessDetails | Painless Performance


This?

 

That harness won't get you very far. That is only the harness from the duraspark box and the ignition coil/distributor. Better than nothing though.