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Dumbest epiphany of all time this morning.

colbystephens

colbystephens

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One thing I really want to do is get good at wiring for the truck. I've been frustrated over the past few years with my inability to do it well. It occurred to me this morning that actually having some basic wiring tools would make it possible for me to learn. :doah: Good grief. No sh!t, right? I certainly couldn't have learned the mechanical side of trucks without a decent socket set.

So, what's the bare minimum needed to handle most wiring issues on our trucks? I've got a set of wire crimpers. :haha: :ears:
 
A test light
Good multi meter
good set of crimpers
Good set of strippers (:whistle:)
Quality soldering iron
bunch of assorted heat shrink tubing.


Patience....
 
GOOD crimpers and GOOD wire strippers are a godsend. They freaking rock.

They are expensive, but worth every penny. I did the first 5+ yrs of wiring projects with those $2 crimper/strippers, and it was awful.

I don't have any good small crimpers, but use these for just about any size.

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T...& Fish Tape Pulling PLIERS-SIDECUT-HLCRIMPPUL

Wire strippers:

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T... STRIPPERS-WIRESTRIP-WIRSTRPCUT/Product/11045

If i was out to buy another one, i'd also get this:

http://www.service.kleintools.com/T...-Purpose Tool STRIPPERS-COMBINATIO-LGNSMLTPRP
 
colbystephens said:
One thing I really want to do is get good at wiring for the truck. I've been frustrated over the past few years with my inability to do it well. It occurred to me this morning that actually having some basic wiring tools would make it possible for me to learn. :doah: Good grief. No sh!t, right? I certainly couldn't have learned the mechanical side of trucks without a decent socket set.

So, what's the bare minimum needed to handle most wiring issues on our trucks? I've got a set of wire crimpers. :haha: :ears:
Click to expand...


Honestly

Go to Waytekwire.com

Order their print catalog and start drooling. I have really gotten into weather pack stuff int he last few years.

I would get a bunch of weather pack stuff, crimper, strippers, and non insulated eyes and the 1.25" long heat shrink by the hundreds.

Get good a soldering.

Wait that's what i did a few years ago and it has made wiring easier. It's not the tools to me it's the fittings that make it work out.

Spend the money, buy good sh!t and your work will be that much better.

Del City and a few others are just like Waytek but that's where I went the first time and just go back there cause I like it.
 
These are the wire strippers I have. Very easy to make a splice in the middle of a wire - holds one end of the insulation still while pushing the other end of the insulation away, exposing about an inch of of wire for easy soldering.

As mentioned earlier get a multimeter doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive but I would recommend one that measures resistance, AC/DC voltage, and most importantly a continuity tester.

I prefer to make any splice I can by soldering it, way more reliable than a crimp connector. For any mechanical connector like crimp connections, bulb sockets, spark plug wires etc. make sure to use dielectric grease to prevent corrosion, keep water out, and make a better electrical connection.

Two equations you need to know:
P=VI power(watts)=voltage(volts) x current(amps)
V=IR Voltage=current x resistance(ohms)
 
quality wire, not the cheap chit you get at vatozone...with the cheap rubber insulation.


when I first joined in '08, there was a guy rewiring his rig with Weather pack connectors iirc, who gave a great tutorial on the types of wire insulation & sizes.

I'll post it if I can find it.
 
get a wiring diagram for your truck too Colby....it will help alot.
 
rampage said:
These are the wire strippers I have. Very easy to make a splice in the middle of a wire - holds one end of the insulation still while pushing the other end of the insulation away, exposing about an inch of of wire for easy soldering.

As mentioned earlier get a multimeter doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive but I would recommend one that measures resistance, AC/DC voltage, and most importantly a continuity tester.

I prefer to make any splice I can by soldering it, way more reliable than a crimp connector. For any mechanical connector like crimp connections, bulb sockets, spark plug wires etc. make sure to use dielectric grease to prevent corrosion, keep water out, and make a better electrical connection.

Two equations you need to know:
P=VI power(watts)=voltage(volts) x current(amps)
V=IR Voltage=current x resistance(ohms)
Click to expand...

I like soldering connections too. on some things though it is nice to have male and female terminal connectors when you need to unplug something to work on or around it! Also, tap splices are nice, they made the wiring i did on my switch box so much easier!
 
THRILLBILLY said:
I like soldering connections too. on some things though it is nice to have male and female terminal connectors when you need to unplug something to work on or around it! Also, tap splices are nice, they made the wiring i did on my switch box so much easier!
Click to expand...

Please dont use those horrid scotch locks. :doah:
 
So how do I know what tools are "good" and which aren't? Craftsman's got a nice looking multimeter for about $50. How do I know on strippers, crimpers, etc.?
 
I've survived for years on $3 harbor freight multimeters. What do you really need a nice one for on 12v stuff?

And i second skipping the splice connectors.
I use tons of butt and crimp caps, but those scotch lock things are awful. Crappy connection, sometimes don't connect, often cuts most of the wire you are tapping, etc.
 
$50 might be on the high side. Post some links of what you're thinking about. Remember that it'll get dropped and abused so don't go wasting your $$. Also I forgot to mention that the meter should measure amps, it'd say in the neighborhood of 10A should be sufficient for most stuff.
 
Get some wire to practice with. I highly recommend soldering every crimp on connector.
 
Thanks for the tip on soldering the crimps and connectors. I'll do that. I can see how it adds time, but I'm finally doing my build right - so I'm not going to cut corners there. :)
 
jekquistk5 said:
Get some wire to practice with. I highly recommend soldering every crimp on connector.
Click to expand...

I SUCK at soldering. That being said, i crimp everything, and if done well for most stuff, it does the trick. If its going to be in a moist environment, I fill the crimp connector with diaelectric grease.
 
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