Replace wiring harness?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
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Replace wiring harness?
The previous owner of my 86 F150 XLT Lariat (302, AOD, 2wd) swapped the EFI 302 for one that is carb. Engine runs great, but the wiring is a nightmare! Everything is butchered bad - he cut out the AC, the rear fuel tank, and all kinds of stuff are re-wired half-a$$ed, for no apparent reason. He even cut the wires for the cruise in the steering wheel, rather than just unplug it. Now, I've got a lot of issues keeping this engine running that are due to wiring, not the engine itself. Could I find a stock wiring harness for an older F150 that was carb factory and swap it in? This might be easier than trying to mess with this wiring can of worms that I have now.
What are your thoughts? I appreciate any advice. Plan B is to pull the motor and find the right older carbed truck to swap it into, as the motor really runs top notch WHEN it is running.
What are your thoughts? I appreciate any advice. Plan B is to pull the motor and find the right older carbed truck to swap it into, as the motor really runs top notch WHEN it is running.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 5
From: Out of here
I would find a donor truck and swap the harness. I really hate when people that don't know what they are doing butcher the wiring.
It's not easy changing the harness, but well worth the effort IMO. That's what I did.
It's not easy changing the harness, but well worth the effort IMO. That's what I did.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I would also be inclined to just wholesale replace the wiring harness, assuming you can find one in a junkyard that hsn't been too hacked up. In addition, I would strongly suggest getting yourself an OEM wiring diagram; these show up on eBay at times, you can also get reprints from places such as Lloyd's auto literature (I have no affiliation, just a happy customer of theirs): http://www.lloydsautolit.com/search.cgi?year=1986&make=Fordtruck&category=Wirin g+Diagrams
With one of those, you'll be able to identify the circuit(s) a wire belongs to by looking at its colors.
-chris
colorado, usa
With one of those, you'll be able to identify the circuit(s) a wire belongs to by looking at its colors.
-chris
colorado, usa
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
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From: Virginia
There is the strong possibility the older harness may not fit in certain places. For instance, I know the ignition switches are different from the old to the newer fuel injected trucks. So if you get an older wiring harness, you may have to get a older ignition switch and mount it. That's only one instance I know of, but I bet there may be others here and there. You will have to check out that main firewall plug and see if it's wired the same.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Right around 82/83 Ford changed to a newer type connector plug that may cause you to make some changes. Grab all the pigtails you can. At one time I combined an 80 A/C system with a complete 86 dash in an 82 truck. It was doable, but took many hours laying out similar wires and making sure connectors were compatible.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Franklin is right. There are differences at the ignition, sometimes the alternator and carb as well as other emissions equipment.
If you can identify the exact year of the motor, then be sure you get that harness to keep the mods to a minimum.
If you can identify the exact year of the motor, then be sure you get that harness to keep the mods to a minimum.
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