Wiring Harness ?s
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Wiring Harness ?s
I did a search for wiring harness on the forum and pretty much found out that centech makes the best wiring harness for our trucks. I'm looking at my options toward a harness. I can take out a used one from a salvage yard if I need to, but should I. The wiring is 30 years old. I don't have a good feeling sticking a 30 year old harness back in. Or should I worry about that as long as the wires look like they are in good condition?
Options:
1. NEW HARNESS: $400.00 plus is a lot for a new harness, but If it works great and should last for another 30 years than money well worth it.
2. UNIVERSAL HARNESS: Different companies make these and claim to very simple to use. BOTP has one for $159.00 and I found found numerous options on ebay for less than $200.00. Some of them have 22-24 circuits for add ons. Has anyone installed a universal harness and was it simple?
3. Just get a used harness from another truck (would cost me pretty much nothing, just time).
What do you think?
Options:
1. NEW HARNESS: $400.00 plus is a lot for a new harness, but If it works great and should last for another 30 years than money well worth it.
2. UNIVERSAL HARNESS: Different companies make these and claim to very simple to use. BOTP has one for $159.00 and I found found numerous options on ebay for less than $200.00. Some of them have 22-24 circuits for add ons. Has anyone installed a universal harness and was it simple?
3. Just get a used harness from another truck (would cost me pretty much nothing, just time).
What do you think?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 1
From: Delavan, IL
Which harness do you need? If it's just an engine bay harness, go dig for a decent one in the junk yard, and make repairs as neccessary or just cut all the plugs off and use new wire. You can re-tape and re-loom the harness and be sitting just as good as the $200-$400 harness for about $50 and a couple hours time.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
There is info on repairing your wiring harness in the Read First: FAQ thread at the top of the forum. The ignition system harness is available from Painless also. If you are not doing an absolute restoration there are better wiring loom materials available now. The spiral cut tubing sold by various manufacturers in black works very well.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
What would be the main differences of a wire harness from a 78 bronco be from a truck. Could I use one? I ask because I found one in a bronco in which the top is cut off and dash was taken apart. Much of the work was done for me 
. The Dash harness looked pretty good from first glance. The vehicle hasn't been sitting long in the weather without the top, so If it would work, I just may go snag it out.
. The Dash harness looked pretty good from first glance. The vehicle hasn't been sitting long in the weather without the top, so If it would work, I just may go snag it out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: Madison, SD
I don't like 30 year old wiring. I'd go with a new harness just for reliability..... I use Painless harnesses, they are a bit more but are very good quality and not too bad on installation, just time consuming....
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Maybe read these threads.
Painless vs Centech firsthand .
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...hlight=centech
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...e-harness.html
Painless vs Centech firsthand .
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...hlight=centech
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...e-harness.html
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Post Fiend
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
im in the same process myself.
The PAINLESS looms are by far one of the easiest ways to go, but over here in oz they can get pretty expensive (spesh when you start to price up the rest of the wire for the truck)
I know over here, they are converting alot of the trucks to become ambulances and as a result, canning the original looms (which are brand new) and replacing them with custom jobs, so they can accomodate all the medical equip that they need.
if you can find the converters, they should have looms just lying around
The PAINLESS looms are by far one of the easiest ways to go, but over here in oz they can get pretty expensive (spesh when you start to price up the rest of the wire for the truck)
I know over here, they are converting alot of the trucks to become ambulances and as a result, canning the original looms (which are brand new) and replacing them with custom jobs, so they can accomodate all the medical equip that they need.
if you can find the converters, they should have looms just lying around
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: Madison, SD
I just use the Painless harness for a Ford column. Didn't even know they made one specifically for a truck. The Centech looks like one heck of a nice harness for the money though. Anybody know if it has extra unused circuits in it for accessories such as power windows and locks, or just what the old Ford truck needs????
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown, Ky
I checked on the centechwire.com site, if you pull up the info about the fuse block, it tells you about all the circuits..
Heres part of the page for ya
Not only is there a place for all the standard items, but also a place to hook up every gadget you would want to add to your car.
Maybe you want a panel connection for:
Power Door locks
Power Deck Lid
Air Conditioning
Power Antenna
Radio Amp
Window Defroster
Heres part of the page for ya
Not only is there a place for all the standard items, but also a place to hook up every gadget you would want to add to your car.
Maybe you want a panel connection for:
Power Door locks
Power Deck Lid
Air Conditioning
Power Antenna
Radio Amp
Window Defroster