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Sep 17, 2006 | 06:58 PM

kelt51f1

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Wiring Help

I am building a rat rod out of my 51 f1 and need to start thinking of wiring, painless wont do and ron frances is over priced. if you got any ideas please let me know.

Sep 17, 2006 | 07:02 PM

Randy Jack

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From: Riverside, So Cal

There's nothing particularly difficult about 12 volt auto wiring. The kits are for simplicity and time savings.

So, if simple and efficient aren't your bag, why not get a Shop Manual (for the schematic) and wire your own loom?

Last edited by Randy Jack; Sep 17, 2006 at 07:06 PM.

Sep 17, 2006 | 07:50 PM

Code3

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From: Too far north of I-10

Why not Painless? I found it to be a little pricy, but it was actually more than I needed, and that was for the whole truck.

Sep 17, 2006 | 07:57 PM

g84t8f1

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From: HANNIBAL MO.

I'm using ez wire.Cheap and simple.Might check them out.
ART

Sep 17, 2006 | 10:52 PM

kelt51f1

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thanks for the help guys, when i called painless and gave them my application the sales rep i talked to said that the universal kit might not meet up with what i am trying to do so that was the only problem besides the price. Also i have to go from 6volt to 12 volt. I work in a parts store and one of the guys there said something about a company called kwik wire, anyone know anything about that?

Sep 17, 2006 | 11:23 PM

CharlieLed

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From: Brentwood, TN

www.kwikwire.com
If price is a concern then KwikWire is not for you...

Sep 17, 2006 | 11:35 PM

Oregon Bob

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I used "ITS A Snap" for total rewire of my 53 f1 and found it to be a quality product for about $140.

Oregon bob

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Sep 18, 2006 | 02:27 AM

papabills54

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From: Las Vegas, Nevada

kelt, I have a 54 I put a 302 and a aod tranny in. I've actually redone the whole truck. After going to so cal they suggested I use a haywire kit for about half the price of painless and it seems like it will work pretty well . I've mounted the fuse block and run the wire bundles to ft lights ,rr lights, engine harness and dash . will start hooking them tomorrow . I will let you know how it came out. bill

Sep 18, 2006 | 06:37 AM

#10

GreatNorthWoods

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelt51f1

I am building a rat rod out of my 51 f1 and need to start thinking of wiring, painless wont do and ron frances is over priced. if you got any ideas please let me know.

I've done wiring on several vehicles in the past. The aftermarket wiring systems are easy to install and require less electrical savvy. If you have the time and patience you can use the wiring harness of most any modern vehicle. I used the one from my 87 Chrysler donor vehicle mainly because I used the Chrysler column. I could have spent the bucks on an aftermarket kit but was trying to build on a budget. I saved about 150 bucks by using the donor car harness but it took me a week to sort it all out. It's going to work out great but it's a lot of trouble. My recommendation is go with a reputable aftermarket harness. Ron Francis is pricey but you have to pay if you want the best. Painless is also good. I have used both.

Sep 18, 2006 | 09:35 AM

#11

bobbytnm

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

I used the EZ Wiring 21 circuit harness for my 49. It has more circuits than I will probably ever use, but I have them just in case. The kits is easy, color coded, labeled, etc. I bought my harness for $150 on Ebay.

Good luck
Bobby

Sep 18, 2006 | 12:10 PM

#12

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

Another vote for EZ wire.

Sep 18, 2006 | 12:54 PM

#13

bobj49f2

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

I built my own wire harness. I didn't like the quality of the reproduction harness I bought for my '49 F-2. After only 7 years the insulation is fraying, exposing the wire. I am using modern, rubber coated wire that is oil resistant and more flexible. I also wire industrial control systems for a living so I feel I should do it myself. I want it to look somewhat like OEM so I have made the connections looks as close to OEM as possible.

Here are a couple pictures of the wire connectors I made:

OEM :

My own:

OEM :

My own:

Sep 18, 2006 | 04:07 PM

#14

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

I can understand with the repro harnesses which use cloth insulation like OEM, but the universal harnesses use modern plastic insulated wire like current vehicles use so I don't expect insulation breakdown to be a concern.