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Finished installation of the complete wiring harness this morning. Many thanks to all who answered my posts during troubleshooting. All in all, I would do it again now that I have learned some good (and bad) things about harness installs.
Wow nice looking setup! How hard 0-10 would you say rewiring is?
BMC
I was really worried about the difficulty level too. When I read the instructions and some of the forum questions on "how to" I decided to give it a try. On a scale of 1-10, I would say about a five. The install is about a 3, the troubleshooting after is where the 5 comes in. I had issues with the wiper motor, the headlight switch, brake lights, and back up lights. Fixed now but required some research and questions in this forum.
I was really worried about the difficulty level too. When I read the instructions and some of the forum questions on "how to" I decided to give it a try. On a scale of 1-10, I would say about a five. The install is about a 3, the troubleshooting after is where the 5 comes in. I had issues with the wiper motor, the headlight switch, brake lights, and back up lights. Fixed now but required some research and questions in this forum.
Thank you for letting me know the difficulty level.
What about time commitment? The only reason I ask is wiring is my Achilles' heel. Multiple reasons for that but being partially color blind is the major issue. I also do not like where most wiring is placed (causing one to stand on their head to see much). Can you give a rough timeline it took to do yours?
Thank you for letting me know the difficulty level.
What about time commitment? The only reason I ask is wiring is my Achilles' heel. Multiple reasons for that but being partially color blind is the major issue. I also do not like where most wiring is placed (causing one to stand on their head to see much). Can you give a rough timeline it took to do yours?
Thx
BMC
The time commitment question is variable and dependent on what you expect for results. It can be done in a day or can take a week. Layout and vision of the finished product is the most important of the project. Variables include layout, hidden or exposed, taped or flexible conduit. soldered or crimped ends, don't go cheap here. You don't want to change your mind in the middle. As far as wire colors it's not really a problem as wire kits label the wires end to end with what each wire is for.
The good news about the color thing too Red, is that most of the aftermarket harnesses use words and number codes along each and every wire for their full length. So you don't have to go far to be reminded of what one wire's function is even if you can't tell it's color.
For finicky areas where a lot of wires are bundled, or where there is less light, you can add your own labels as needed.
Give yourself LOTS and LOTS of time however. It really can take what it takes, and that's hard to quantify. Especially if you have to get re-accustomed to soldering, crimping, cutting and other wiring duties again after a long time not doing it. That's kind of normal though, unless you're an expert.
Good luck. It's also very rewarding and can even be fun.
Hope if was both of those for you oldracerjones!
The time commitment question is variable and dependent on what you expect for results. It can be done in a day or can take a week. Layout and vision of the finished product is the most important of the project. Variables include layout, hidden or exposed, taped or flexible conduit. soldered or crimped ends, don't go cheap here. You don't want to change your mind in the middle. As far as wire colors it's not really a problem as wire kits label the wires end to end with what each wire is for.
Thank you! This helps give me a better feeling about doing it if I need to.
Thank you! This helps give me a better feeling about doing it if I need to.
BMC
Thanks 1TonBasecamp! Between your and Christmas's reply, it sounds more "Doable" than I had imagined. Its a grand idea to put numbers on the whole length of wire! On a side note, numbering line colors is the only way I passed Autocad class in college.... MUHAHAHA
Another thing I thought about, regarding the lettering. While they all do it, they don't all do it well.
For example all the Centech wires I have seen have very clear writing in a color that is easy to see against the wire colors.
I think Ron Francis does too.
Painless typically uses TXL wire, which is a high quality wire, but smaller in diameter and their printing is VERY hard to read. I like their stuff, but always use reading glasses. Ok, so I use reading glasses for most of them! But the Painless is still not up to the others.
American Autowire (AAW) does a lot of good stuff too, and I believe the writing is very legible. I sell their stuff for Broncos and frankly haven't looked at one lately, so I'll have to double check that.
Just in the way of FYI when it comes time to choose a brand.
And if it hasn't been said here or elsewhere that you've seen, DO NOT THROW AWAY THE OLD HARNESS UNTIL YOU'VE BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK AGAIN FOR A BIT!!!!
Did I say that loud enough? There will always be one connector or another thingy from the old harness that you'll wish you'd kept to make the install go smoother. As soon as you throw the old one away you'll find out just what those were!
