Rewiring/Harness replacement advice experience?

[KeyBlazer]

Looking at the original harness in my '73 engine bay I see a lot of junk...
Lots of bad splices, bare wires, stiff wires...
Trying to do it right, so whats the deal?

Painless do nice stuff... but I dont know know how many circuits I need...

Search Results | Painless Performance

My '73 is single headlight, no power windows...
But Im doing upgrades... Sniper EFI, biggesr alternator, adding offroad lights, winch, etc...

Advice?

 

[Kain]

I did painless on a trans am andi t was nice but not painless
Slot of guys say American auto wire or easy wire( I think)

 

[Chickntrk]

I did a painless on a Jeep CJ, as Kain said, not painless. If you can get one that has the connectors on it already I’d go that route, painless is all wire that just ends, by the time you buy all the connectors and associated stuff you have double the cost of the harness

 

[KeyBlazer]

Good info!
Thanks.
As per my build thread, I’m moving stuff around… alternator and AC compressor transposed, Sniper EFI, and lots of lights.
How many circuits do you guys think I need?
I’ve seen 19, 21, 24, and 27… I’ve not seen an explanation on how to count them, or what’s built in….

 

[Kain]

Count em out and if you can get
One with ends on all ready that would be better

 

[KeyBlazer]

This looks like a good bet...

Search: 1 result found for "510347"

American Autowire is the premier wiring harness manufacturer. We manufacture wiring harnesses for any automotive project! GM OEM restoration, restomod and modified restoration as well as custom Street Rods!

www.americanautowire.com

 

[KeyBlazer]

Id also like to isolate the headlamp circuit from the light switch with relays... long history of that load screwing up the headlight contacts, even tho im going all LED.

 

[centexk5]

This looks like a good bet...

Search: 1 result found for "510347"

American Autowire is the premier wiring harness manufacturer. We manufacture wiring harnesses for any automotive project! GM OEM restoration, restomod and modified restoration as well as custom Street Rods!

www.americanautowire.com

I used their kit on dad’s bronco and it worked out nice. The biggest thing I did to help me was print out their instructions on 36”x48” paper in color and taped it to the walls of the shop. Made it much easier to follow instead of having to flip back and forth through pages.

 

[KeyBlazer]

Good suggestion.
As I’m doing everything to increase ability and reliability on this truck I think I’m gonna have to bite the bullet.
My instruments are unreliable at best, temp gauge doesn’t work, I have the cluster from my blazer with a tach I could put in instead of the basic pack I have…
Or do I go custom… by the time I’ve revamped all the gauges it might pay just to replace with aftermarket.
Dakota digital is great, but $$$$.
Any suggestions?

 

[centexk5]

I’m looking down the same rabbit hole with mine.

 

[Chickntrk]

Just opinion but I think digital looks out of place in these trucks

 

[Chickntrk]

I like the diy 4x dash with auto meter gauges for a nice upgrade if you’re not stuck on having an original dash

 

[nvrenuf]

Just opinion but I think digital looks out of place in these trucks

I agree. Imo, the digital stuff looks cheap, I'd stay analog.

 

[KeyBlazer]

I'm looking at all the wiring that goes with the Sniper EFI, and Hyperspark CD Ignition...
Then Fuel pumps, AC Condenser fan/fans, Winch, front, rear and side Offroad lights....
Then there the two fuel tank senders... looks like there is a Toggle selector switch that tricks the gauge into reading left or right tank contents... but that never worked... Im replacing both senders after I refurb the tanks..
The fuel draw selector is a manual rotary knob under the seat.
For the camper shell power I picked up a "OEM Camper shell harness", but have not looked at it yet...
Lots to learn and think about...

 

[TJ1978]

I paid to have my '69 done. American auto wire 69-72 cost about $1500 to have done. To me, money well spent. I detest electrical and will gladly have a pro do it.

Classic Update Kit - 1969-72 Chevy Truck

Complete Wiring Kit - 1969-72 Chevy Truck For Chevrolet Truck 1969Chevrolet Truck 1970Chevrolet Truck 1971Chevrolet Truck 1972

www.americanautowire.com

 

[KeyBlazer]

I agree. Imo, the digital stuff looks cheap, I'd stay analog.

Agreed, and hard to read...
I have 30+ years in the Automotive Design world, and there is very good reason why Analog gauges are king....

 

[TJ1978]

Agreed, and hard to read...
I have 30+ years in the Automotive Design world, and there is very good reason why Analog gauges are king....

I'm about ready to take out my dakota digital in my blazer and get a stock analog replacement...

 

[BoondocK5]

I'll let you guys know how mine turns out.

 

[dyeager535]

Good suggestion.
As I’m doing everything to increase ability and reliability on this truck I think I’m gonna have to bite the bullet.
My instruments are unreliable at best, temp gauge doesn’t work, I have the cluster from my blazer with a tach I could put in instead of the basic pack I have…
Or do I go custom… by the time I’ve revamped all the gauges it might pay just to replace with aftermarket.
Dakota digital is great, but $$$$.
Any suggestions?

The stock gauge clusters have a poor design (relevant I suppose, how old are they now?) when it comes to how the connections are made.

Hardwiring the stock cluster is really the only way to eliminate the problems that they exhibit. Not a hard task, just takes time.

 

[ArizonaK5]

I bought a complete wiring harness with updated fuse block for my 1976 K5 Blazer. M&H Auto Wiring in Ca. It was plug and play. Just like a new factory wiring harness. Even came with other options for future equipment. Like EFI, power windows, electric fan and much more.