Wiring harnesses
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
Wiring harnesses
My 69 F100 is nearing "basket" stage, as I am completely disassembling it for a frame-up resto. My interest is making it better, not original, so I'm not worried about using only original parts. I'm now debating whether to try to save the original wiring harness, complete with its many jury-rigged patches and yards of old electrical tape (from prior owners, of course), or scrap it and start fresh. I know there are lots of problems in it that will take quite some time to trace and repair. Does anyone make a repro wiring harness for my truck? What about using one of those "universal" truck harnesses from a company like Painless Wiring? Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
Wiring harnesses
I was in the same spot six months ago, and accepted my expert's advice to reuse the original. Yours is probably okay if it has not suffered a serious meltdown. I disassembled mine, keeping an eye open for breaks, and soaked it in simple green for several days, let it dry, repaired the very minor problems I found, and retaped it where required. You shouldn't be intimidated by the apparent complexity; it will flop right back into place when the time comes. I didn't label anything, but should have kept track of the instrument panel wiring a little better. I had a lot of problems when I fired it up (mostly lights) but every problem was due to inadequate grounds caused by thick new paint at attaching points. I added some short 14ga ground straps from the turn signals and elsewhere and all was well. Good luck!
Eric
Eric
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Wiring harnesses
Using the old wiring harness is asking for trouble! Buy a new one from any of the many vendors available. If you install a tilt column use the GM wiring color coded harness for the entire truck. And buy the way, install a GM one wire alternator while your at this.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
Wiring harnesses
I've often wondered about the GM column issue. How difficult is it to replace my stock column (69 F100 with 360/C6 and power steering) with a tilt column out of a GM? I would think it would be a pain in the ****. The only benefit I see would be the tilt. Is it really worth all the hassle just so your wheel can tilt?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 3
From: central Alberta
Wiring harnesses
No, it's not worth it when you can bolt in a tilt column from a 78-79. This is an easy swap for any F series from 67-79 with power steering and auto trans or four speed. Matching up the wiring isn't too hard.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Wiring harnesses
I guess the tilt is the biggest improvement. But a column from Idit provides a large variety of steering wheel choices, new late model TS and 4 way switches, the option of column locking ignition, column 4 way and high low beam, column or floor shift, neutral start and backup light and a horn. Get carried away and they offer telescoping columns as well. You have the options of steel, aluminum or stainless. The problem for me is cost!!! Get over that and swapping in a new tilt column is a no-brainer. I have parts from 6 different trucks scattered from Georgia to Kansas, and then some new stuff from Dennis Carpenter and still no tilt. Few more pork chops and I will have to park the old bug until I can fit behind the wheel. Tell you what Gents, I really wish I would have bought a tilt when I started on this project. For about 500 bucks I would have been better off.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
