When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I picked up an American Autowire kit off of Ebay. Before I dig into this, I wanted to see if anyone has any tips on doing this who may have done it already. Is it better to remove the old wiring completely prior to putting in the new stuff, combination of both? I want to try to do it as cleanly and smoothly as possible (easier said than done I'm sure). If anyone has any advice or tips on doing this, I'd really appreciate it. Do people typically then wrap the new wiring in OEM style Elliott tape to mimic the wrapping on the factory wiring harness? Thanks!
Did you get one specifically for you year of truck or a universal one? Before you do anything I'd lay out the new one and make sure it has the same connections/wiring for the options your truck has. I remember reading discussions that sometimes big things like A/C or little things like under dash courtesy lights, back of the cab bed light, standard or intermittent wipers are not wired the same. If I can find some thread about these possible issues I will add them in.
Did you get one specifically for you year of truck or a universal one? Before you do anything I'd lay out the new one and make sure it has the same connections/wiring for the options your truck has. I remember reading discussions that sometimes big things like A/C or little things like under dash courtesy lights, back of the cab bed light, standard or intermittent wipers are not wired the same. If I can find some thread about these possible issues I will add them in.
What 77&79F250 said... and I wouldn't even attempt it without the complete wiring diagram for your year, make, model truck in hand [and you are able to interpret it]. I completely rewired a truck [once] by completely removing the existing wiring, then running the new wire, one wire circuit at a time. It was not difficult, but it took time. I used an aftermarket wire kit that was sold for my truck specifically, but as I got into the project and had questions of the kit maker, I was told it was a 'universal' kit 'somewhat tailored' to my truck. In the end it worked fine but without the specific wire diagram in my hand it would have been a B.
Also, don't throw out the old harness until you've completed the project. Some of the old connectors may be re-usable if needed.
this might be handy (yes it is for a 77) but I would think you should be ok with your 78. https://www.classiccarwiring.com/for...phaasc&page=3#
Instrument cluster 4 gauges or 2 gauges and 2 warning lights? And maybe this will be also. Put it on a data stick, take it to a print shop and get it blown up and printed in a poster board size.
What 77&79F250 said... and I wouldn't even attempt it without the complete wiring diagram for your year, make, model truck in hand [and you are able to interpret it]. I completely rewired a truck [once] by completely removing the existing wiring, then running the new wire, one wire circuit at a time. It was not difficult, but it took time. I used an aftermarket wire kit that was sold for my truck specifically, but as I got into the project and had questions of the kit maker, I was told it was a 'universal' kit 'somewhat tailored' to my truck. In the end it worked fine but without the specific wire diagram in my hand it would have been a B.
Also, don't throw out the old harness until you've completed the project. Some of the old connectors may be re-usable if needed.
Yes, this one is nice in that they have many of the original Ford connectors and say in directions which ones have to be reused from old harness.
They even include the under dash courtesy lights in this kit. Only thing I will have to get separate is the dual tank wiring. I didn't pay list for the kit. Got mine off EBay for 350 with shipping. How did you finish off the wiring after you had it all ran? I read through the directions last night, pretty involved, but pretty straight forward at the same time.
i do have the 78 shop manuals on cdrom which if I recall correctly has the wiring diagrams included. And I also saved the schematics from another Ford truck site years ago. So I should be good there. Good idea to get them blown up to a more readable size though.
Good luck with it, yea I forgot the dual tank wiring possible issue. I just seen a thread about that very issue and a member with an new harness working thru it.
How did you finish off the wiring after you had it all ran?
Through the engine compartment and underneath the wire is run in a split nylon weave wire wrap. Seen at this link https://www.hotrodhotline.com/painle...-classic-braid . In the cab and behind the dash the bundles are tied with nylon wire ties every 6-8 inches or so.
Pretty sure that the half-moon column connectors are available, but I can't tell you from where.
Kind of doubt the cluster connectors would be, but then again a lot more stuff is being re-popped than just a couple of years ago.
Maybe LMC truck, or Scott Drake, or Dennis Carpenter would be worth a look-see?
How's your printed circuit board on the back of the cluster? Many of them have self-destructed over the years. Hope yours is in better shape, but hey, maybe a new one includes the connectors!
Hmm, I wonder... Ford has kept the same basic design for the cluster connectors for a longer-than-normal number of years. I've pulled out similar plugs well into the '90's both on trucks (up to '96) and cars (up to '95) and they sure do look like the same ones.
Maybe different orientation of the latch clips? I don't know, but they sure look similar. Count the number of bays in each and search on the Mustang sites to see if anything exists in their world
Pretty sure that the half-moon column connectors are available, but I can't tell you from where.
Kind of doubt the cluster connectors would be, but then again a lot more stuff is being re-popped than just a couple of years ago.
Maybe LMC truck, or Scott Drake, or Dennis Carpenter would be worth a look-see?
How's your printed circuit board on the back of the cluster? Many of them have self-destructed over the years. Hope yours is in better shape, but hey, maybe a new one includes the connectors!
Good luck.
Paul
Circuit board is actually okay. Just the connector, one of the tabs is broken off. As far as the turn signal switch, the female end is available, but I need the male end that attaches to the main wiring harness. Both tabs are broken. If worse comes to worse, I'll just reuse it, but rather find one not broken.
How's your printed circuit board on the back of the cluster? Many of them have self-destructed over the years. Hope yours is in better shape, but hey, maybe a new one includes the connectors!
I just bought a new cluster from LMC....no new connector included.
I just replaced all the wiring in my truck, I switched to Dakota Digital gauges so I have the circuit board connector that I didn't use. I'll take a photo of it tonight and if it has both tangs and in good shape and you can use it, I'll send it your way. As far as the turn signal male end I must've kept that half too so I'll have a look.
I just replaced all the wiring in my truck, I switched to Dakota Digital gauges so I have the circuit board connector that I didn't use. I'll take a photo of it tonight and if it has both tangs and in good shape and you can use it, I'll send it your way. As far as the turn signal male end I must've kept that half too so I'll have a look.
My gauge cluster connector is in very good shape. I realized I used the male end of the turn signal connector with my painless kit. PM your address and I'll get it headed your way.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
