uao85
1/2 ton status
Hey guys...well since I am nearing my Christmas break from school, I will be having roughly a month to tear into my truck. My first endeavor will be the wiring harness which I need some input on for suggestions.
Here is the scoop.
My project truck is an 85 m1008 cucv.
1) I just recently swapped cabs from an 86 half ton gasser.
2) I am tossing the th400 for a built 700r4 and keeping the 6.2.
3) Removing all of the cucv wiring such as blackout light system etc etc to simplify things.
4) For accessories- I plan to convert to a/c, installing a radio(maybe a small system), electric fuel pump and windstar fans. Along with installing a second rear tank with a switch valve, and power windows/locks/keyless entry, and aux lighting in the bed.
Now, I already have all the parts, with some of them already installed in the truck, with exception to the wiring harness. Seeing as this truck will be a frankenstein truck, I am kind of up in the air on what I should do about the wiring. As I see it>>
Option 1:
Just combine the two harnesses(cucv and donor cab) together making 1 functioning harness. Pro-it will be cheap and low budget. Con-It will be very time consuming trying to make something out of a mess with all the splicing, tracing shorts, the hassle of stripping it all apart, plus it will still be 20 yr old wiring.
Option 2:
Strip all the wiring off of the donor fuse block, and rewire/terminate/label each system in the truck one at a time ex interior, rear ext, front ext, engine, etc. Pro-would be brand new material to work with, run wire from accessory to the fuse block-snip off extra and terminate. I could retrace the wiring looms where I want to, clean it up and simplify things some. Cons-I think it will turn into a nightmare once I get to the interior trying to rewire all of the a/c, ignition, relays etc etc.
Option 3:
Get an aftermarket universal wiring harness. I would pb go with a 21 or 22 circuit kit that is preterminated and assembled. Pros-Wires will be gm color coded and labelled every 6 inches(alieving a huge PITA in itself), and even have the ability for gm collumn connectors prewired into the harness. Basically just place the box under the dash where I want it to go, run the wiring looms to designated accessory, wire it up, still all new wiring/fuse block. Having a 21 or 22 circuit system also gives me room in the future to expand, and the company even gives an option for mini-fuses for a more compact style. Con-...really, the money cost is negligable IMO seeing as doing something like rewire a fuse block from scratch can nickel and dime me to death. I cant think of many cons-but Im sure there is something Im not considering.
Considering all of this- I want to hear what you all have to say- rip this idea apart(constructive criticism and suggestions)-and then let me know what you would do if it were your truck. As of this moment, I am leaning towards the 3rd option.
Remington
Here is the scoop.
My project truck is an 85 m1008 cucv.
1) I just recently swapped cabs from an 86 half ton gasser.
2) I am tossing the th400 for a built 700r4 and keeping the 6.2.
3) Removing all of the cucv wiring such as blackout light system etc etc to simplify things.
4) For accessories- I plan to convert to a/c, installing a radio(maybe a small system), electric fuel pump and windstar fans. Along with installing a second rear tank with a switch valve, and power windows/locks/keyless entry, and aux lighting in the bed.
Now, I already have all the parts, with some of them already installed in the truck, with exception to the wiring harness. Seeing as this truck will be a frankenstein truck, I am kind of up in the air on what I should do about the wiring. As I see it>>
Option 1:
Just combine the two harnesses(cucv and donor cab) together making 1 functioning harness. Pro-it will be cheap and low budget. Con-It will be very time consuming trying to make something out of a mess with all the splicing, tracing shorts, the hassle of stripping it all apart, plus it will still be 20 yr old wiring.
Option 2:
Strip all the wiring off of the donor fuse block, and rewire/terminate/label each system in the truck one at a time ex interior, rear ext, front ext, engine, etc. Pro-would be brand new material to work with, run wire from accessory to the fuse block-snip off extra and terminate. I could retrace the wiring looms where I want to, clean it up and simplify things some. Cons-I think it will turn into a nightmare once I get to the interior trying to rewire all of the a/c, ignition, relays etc etc.
Option 3:
Get an aftermarket universal wiring harness. I would pb go with a 21 or 22 circuit kit that is preterminated and assembled. Pros-Wires will be gm color coded and labelled every 6 inches(alieving a huge PITA in itself), and even have the ability for gm collumn connectors prewired into the harness. Basically just place the box under the dash where I want it to go, run the wiring looms to designated accessory, wire it up, still all new wiring/fuse block. Having a 21 or 22 circuit system also gives me room in the future to expand, and the company even gives an option for mini-fuses for a more compact style. Con-...really, the money cost is negligable IMO seeing as doing something like rewire a fuse block from scratch can nickel and dime me to death. I cant think of many cons-but Im sure there is something Im not considering.
Considering all of this- I want to hear what you all have to say- rip this idea apart(constructive criticism and suggestions)-and then let me know what you would do if it were your truck. As of this moment, I am leaning towards the 3rd option.
Remington
