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-   1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum38/)
-   -   New wiring harness? (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1412750-new-wiring-harness.html)

jimmystoys 12-27-2015 01:52 PM

New wiring harness?
 
As lots of us have or had wiring issues in our trucks, how many of you would consider replacing the whole harness? Is it worth it? Or just deal with what you have? I've been debating with myself for my '79 F-350. In my case, previous owner tried to add or customize some stuff of course along with aging, corroding connections. It's a nightmare of detective work of which I'm sure you can all relate to lol. Is it worth starting fresh? Your opinions are appreciated.

Heliguy 12-27-2015 04:30 PM

Im changing mine out. Too many gremlins, want to start fresh. This is the kit Im looking at. Complete Wiring Kit - 1973-79 Ford Truck We Make Wiring THAT Easy!

mountain dewd 12-27-2015 04:37 PM

My wiring is TRASH. No turn signals, brake lights are all funky, dash is dead, etc. I want to rewire with a new harness, but they are awfully pricey. Half the value of what I paid for the truck.

dwhawkins89 12-27-2015 06:53 PM

I've gone through and literally inspected and repaired every inch ofworrying in my truck. I got everything working, but I swear if anything ever happens, is getting ripped out and replaced with an aftermarket. It's nice to say it the right stuff, but 40 years old is 40 years old.

paredneck33 12-27-2015 06:56 PM

I would love to change mine out. But I'm picky. I want an exact factory correct harness, nothing updated. I want it to look like the truck did when it rolled off the line back in 1978. Glass fuses and all. They worked just fine for 30+ years, they'll work for another 30+ years in the truck.

dwhawkins89 12-27-2015 06:57 PM

Well when I pull mine out I'll send it your way lol. I'm lucky, got everything working for now. But who know

jimmystoys 12-27-2015 07:14 PM

Its nice to know I'm not the only one that feels this way lol

jimmyz469 12-27-2015 07:51 PM

I'd say replace it with something newer. I went with Centech wiring harness. They ask a few questions about your truck specifically and he builds it to what you say. It comes with all the switches and has the same quality of any of the bigger name company's. And it was quiet a bit cheaper also than the others I saw. Took me about 2-3 days of work(with my 4 year old helping) but it's worth it 100% in the end.

lafermedavid 12-28-2015 07:59 AM

centech
 
ill be going with centech as well,fresh wires ,fresh truck,new to me:oval others who have opted with centech have had similar success

Heliguy 12-28-2015 08:51 AM


Originally Posted by jimmyz469 (Post 15897543)
I'd say replace it with something newer. I went with Centech wiring harness.


Huh.. I never heard of them. Did it come with everything? I have my entire harness removed. Everything was trashed including connectors and sockets for lights etc.

lafermedavid 12-28-2015 10:45 AM

centech
 
Yea give Jim a call.he personally oversees your harness,give him a call,,,I told about my manual for backup lights,and he wired that in ,as well as 3g,cooling fan on rad,and any other thing you need

Truck Noob 12-28-2015 11:11 AM

i have been pondering this for a few months now.
i think i have convinced myself to pull a harness from a 1997 f150 and retro fit it to my '76. its newer, has lots of upgraded circuits, room for expansion, readily available and cheap. just takes time. i can pull a full harness, headlight to taillight for less than $150. this includes fuse box with relays and fuses. one thing i like is that its an under hood fuse box. not that keen on having to crawl under the dash to access fuses. there is tons of room under the hood.
just can't see myself spending $500+ on wiring. i'd rather spend that on mechanical upgrades/maintenance.
just my 2 cents.

84espy 12-28-2015 09:47 PM


Originally Posted by Truck Noob (Post 15899060)
i have been pondering this for a few months now.
i think i have convinced myself to pull a harness from a 1997 f150 and retro fit it to my '76. its newer, has lots of upgraded circuits, room for expansion, readily available and cheap. just takes time. i can pull a full harness, headlight to taillight for less than $150. this includes fuse box with relays and fuses. one thing i like is that its an under hood fuse box. not that keen on having to crawl under the dash to access fuses. there is tons of room under the hood.
just can't see myself spending $500+ on wiring. i'd rather spend that on mechanical upgrades/maintenance.
just my 2 cents.

Sounds good, but......won't the harness be 18 years old? No matter what route you guys decide, this job will take you a good days work. If you can't devote that time, figure out where a good cut-off point is to still be able to drive your truck. For this reason, I just used a Painless 12 circuit panel and ran my own wires. This job took me 2 days to do.

Truck Noob 12-29-2015 12:21 AM

the harness will be 18 years old but its still not 40 like mine is now.
my truck is my 3rd vehicle so if it takes me a month it doesn't really matter.
i thought about just getting the painless box and doing the rest my self. but even that is $200-$300. they call it painless, but my wallet begs to differ.

jimmyz469 12-29-2015 05:54 AM


Originally Posted by Heliguy (Post 15898633)
Huh.. I never heard of them. Did it come with everything? I have my entire harness removed. Everything was trashed including connectors and sockets for lights etc.

When you call Jim he'll ask you a few questions about your truck and what you want and don't want. Then he builds the harness to your truck. A lot less waste that way. My kit came with ignition switch, head light switch. The windshield wiper switch is available from him but I didn't get it. I ordered new sockets from bronco graveyard for the side marker lights and tail lights. Grand total for everything, including a few trips to the hardware store for wire loom and some rubber cushion clamps was just under $600.


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