wiring idea
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Mt. Home, ID
wiring idea
I'm at a lull with the frame at the moment so I started thinking about my wiring. I was wondering if it would worth my time or wasting it to add separate connectors in the harness, at the firewall and behind the cab, to make it so I could just unhook all the wires for the front end or the bed at one time. It would make really easy to pull the bed off or remove the front end as piece without undoing anything more than a plug. Opinions?
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Marietta, Ohio
Good idea...
I was wondering if it would worth my time or wasting it to add separate connectors in the harness, at the firewall and behind the cab, to make it so I could just unhook all the wires for the front end or the bed at one time. It would make really easy to pull the bed off or remove the front end as piece without undoing anything more than a plug. Opinions?
Mike
Mike
I think it's an excellent idea but whatever you do, be sure to get good connectors. Take a look at Del City - Wiring Products and Professional Electrical Supplies They have great prices ans they will send you a monster catalog if you fill out the request forn on their site.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Well if you are like the rest of us and can't keep your hands off a finished (I read about a finished Truck once, I think.) project, that sounds like a good idea.
Take plenty of pictures, and do a good write up, I'm sure that some here will see it as a must do and tear their Trucks apart.
Take plenty of pictures, and do a good write up, I'm sure that some here will see it as a must do and tear their Trucks apart.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Past discussions about this; a good bet is to go to the boneyard and snip out modern OEM connectors with a foot of wire on each side. Now, some chastised me that then you'd have a color change in your wiring, but you could document the transitions on your own little wiring diagram. Many newer OEM's have 20-wire plugs at the firewall, some of which are big power wires.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Wirng connectors
I too have been contemplating using some form of connector; I am going to final wire from the fuse box through the firewall with original grommet, to my resultant wiring harness, minus some of the un-used wires, AC, side lights, etc. I'm probably going to cut connectors off then "splice" and solder them back on.
Tom
Tom
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From: Mt. Home, ID
I've been leaning toward new 'weathpack' connectors over grabbing something from the yard. The main reasons being that they are a bit more study and I wouldn't have to splice any wires. The main limitation to them is that a 6X is the biggest they make. I need to finish a list of everything electrical first and then figure out what my actual needs are. I plan on making my own harness anyway so I'm not to concerned with the color coding getting mixed up.
On the harness, I did a lot of searching and read where someone suggested setting a couple pieces of plywood up next to the truck, drawing a basic outline on the wood and then using nails to hold the wire as you build the harness. It would take up a lot of room but sounds like a great idea for when the time comes.
On the harness, I did a lot of searching and read where someone suggested setting a couple pieces of plywood up next to the truck, drawing a basic outline on the wood and then using nails to hold the wire as you build the harness. It would take up a lot of room but sounds like a great idea for when the time comes.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I did that on my 48 so that the entire front sheet metal can be removed for an engine change. I doubt if it's necessary for the bed since you would remove taillights anyway for a bed change and the wiring probably runs inside the frame rail. 
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
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From: Alberta Canada
Wiring Harness
I took another look at my wiring harness; started straightening it up; I think I'm going to end up using bullet style connectors on all the wires through the firewall, then heat shrink over them. I've pretty much removed all wires I won't need; I'll use the original wire loom, grommet location. Hope to start tomorrow, MOTHER"S DAY has priority today.
Later
Tom
Later
Tom
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Mt. Home, ID
I visited my favorite salvage yard Friday. Found a couple of huge horns on a 36' Packard (couldn't read the year very well). I'm gonna have to account for them in my wiring. Just too cool to pass up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Westminster,Md
Cool is Good...Hey Mike , I checked out the weather Pac Connectors , Seems like a good idea. I 'd be careful to be sure and 'stagger" the connectors on the harness, so they pass thru the opening in the firewall..if you know what I mean. It's a great idea!
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From: Mt. Home, ID
It's the same yard I bought my truck from. I found a 51 F6 with the Magic Aire heater still in it. Jim, the owner of the yard, agreed to swap it for my original rear end and four speed. I'll have a heater next weekend! He's got some awesome old stuff out there, and two llamas.
I was planning on having the connectors on the engine side of the firewall and wasn't worried about having them pass through. I might have to think about that again. Thanks for the heads up.
I was planning on having the connectors on the engine side of the firewall and wasn't worried about having them pass through. I might have to think about that again. Thanks for the heads up.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,138
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From: Marietta, Ohio
If I had found a 36 Packard in a bone yard I'd be buying the whole thing and not just be ripping the horns off it. Even as a parts car that thing would have the potential to make some money to pay for the other projects I have going.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Mt. Home, ID
There wasn't much left of this one. Front fenders, firewall, parts of the engine and the frame rails. Another Packard out there has the straight 8 and tranny still in it. The combo is about 8 feet long! I know the engine is completely shot, but I keep waiting for him to sell me the head cover from it. It would look great cleaned up and hanging on my wall.
I love just walking around the place. He had a thing for Nash Metropolitans-they're everywhere.
I love just walking around the place. He had a thing for Nash Metropolitans-they're everywhere.
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