look at waytec wire, thats who i used for all my weather pack stuff on my gen 3 motor
CK5
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electrical guru's come in please... "pics added"
- Thread starter supersize75k5
- Start date
CGT80
1/2 ton status
i just installed all new auto meter gauges in my truck. i tried to use connectors from radio shack so that i could remove the entire gauge panel without unhooking individual gauges. crimping those pins sucks. I spent an hour on 12 crimps and needed to do about 72 total. I gave up and went to my favorite electronics store. I found 15 pin male connectors that had 10" of wire attached with a female on the other end for $5 each. I bought 3 of those and cut them in half. I used butt connectors to connect the existing wires to the pigtails. It doesn't look as nice as crimping my own pins, but it was faster, easier, and the connectors were much better quality than the radio shack ones, all for the same price.
Definitely go with weather pack connectors. The proper crimping tools are not required, but they do make life ALOT easier (and make a much better crimp).
The standard/common pin and barrel terminals are not rated for much amperage (20A), but are cheap to buy. For higher amperage start looking at Metri-Pack 280 (30A), 480 and 630 (46A). The MP280 terminals are small, but rated higher than the pins/barrels.
Most everywhere has minimum quantities/dollar amounts. Check out keefe performance. They have become my new favorite supplier. They have no minimums--you can buy one terminal and one foot of wire if that is what you want. Scroll down to Delphi/Packard and start shopping. As for salvaging connector bodies out of wrecking yards, it works sometimes. It works much better in cooler climates. Here in AZ most of the connector bodies have turned to "glastic" from the constant heat. You may get the connector apart without snapping off the retaining tab, but when you go to put it together it goes pop, or the terminal position assurance clip snaps when you take it apart. Not worth the hassle. Buy new and be done with it. If you start working with these terminals pick up a couple of the terminal release tools. They will save your sanity eventually.
The standard/common pin and barrel terminals are not rated for much amperage (20A), but are cheap to buy. For higher amperage start looking at Metri-Pack 280 (30A), 480 and 630 (46A). The MP280 terminals are small, but rated higher than the pins/barrels.
Most everywhere has minimum quantities/dollar amounts. Check out keefe performance. They have become my new favorite supplier. They have no minimums--you can buy one terminal and one foot of wire if that is what you want. Scroll down to Delphi/Packard and start shopping. As for salvaging connector bodies out of wrecking yards, it works sometimes. It works much better in cooler climates. Here in AZ most of the connector bodies have turned to "glastic" from the constant heat. You may get the connector apart without snapping off the retaining tab, but when you go to put it together it goes pop, or the terminal position assurance clip snaps when you take it apart. Not worth the hassle. Buy new and be done with it. If you start working with these terminals pick up a couple of the terminal release tools. They will save your sanity eventually.
