Wiring Harness Help
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Wiring Harness Help
I need some advice on how to re-wire a 1973 Ford f-100.
I live in indiana and have no clue how to read the diagrams out of the chilton and haynes repair manuals. I would like to do the work myself rather than buying a Painless generic wiring harness. Is there a website or book that can help me or steer me in the right direction....
Thanks,
footballmac
I live in indiana and have no clue how to read the diagrams out of the chilton and haynes repair manuals. I would like to do the work myself rather than buying a Painless generic wiring harness. Is there a website or book that can help me or steer me in the right direction....
Thanks,
footballmac
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 250
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If you wanna do it yourself, you will have to learn to read a diagram and learn how to do wiring. Theres no cheating. I havnt checked the prices of wiring harnesses and replacement plugs/connectors, but I think you'd be better off just buying a harness.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I have heard good things about this company for a new wire harness, better than painless. I have not used either one yet, so this info is just from what others have said.
http://www.centechwire.com/
As far as rewiring yourself and not knowing how to read a diagram, better off just gettting a new harness like the previous post said. What is wrong with your old harness? The other option you have is too go to a junk yard, and start taking apart the dash and what not under the hood to get a different harness and take pictures of what things look like so you know what goes where. Also, have one of those diagrams handy to look at. That would be your cheapest route, but also very time consuming and you'd be better off getting a new harness with detailed instructions. On the new harness like the one on the above website, each wire is labeled where it's supposed to go and has the right connections to fit the FORD switches and components.
http://www.centechwire.com/
As far as rewiring yourself and not knowing how to read a diagram, better off just gettting a new harness like the previous post said. What is wrong with your old harness? The other option you have is too go to a junk yard, and start taking apart the dash and what not under the hood to get a different harness and take pictures of what things look like so you know what goes where. Also, have one of those diagrams handy to look at. That would be your cheapest route, but also very time consuming and you'd be better off getting a new harness with detailed instructions. On the new harness like the one on the above website, each wire is labeled where it's supposed to go and has the right connections to fit the FORD switches and components.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Welcome to the site.
The one nice thing about Ford is they used the same wire colour scheme for years.
ie: Blue/red stripe wire was instrument lighting.
same goes for a lot of other systems.
Plus the fact that original harnesses were molded with wire wrap so certain things can only got to certain spots.
In your case if you wnt with a harness out of another truck you can upgrade by getting a newer year like a 78 or 79 ..then you would have to change more things out but you would have increased your options over older years.
The centechwire harness is well above its competition with ease of install & cost.
One thing for sure though.. we are here to help you through it whatever you decide.
The one nice thing about Ford is they used the same wire colour scheme for years.
ie: Blue/red stripe wire was instrument lighting.
same goes for a lot of other systems.
Plus the fact that original harnesses were molded with wire wrap so certain things can only got to certain spots.
In your case if you wnt with a harness out of another truck you can upgrade by getting a newer year like a 78 or 79 ..then you would have to change more things out but you would have increased your options over older years.
The centechwire harness is well above its competition with ease of install & cost.
One thing for sure though.. we are here to help you through it whatever you decide.
