Update to newer style electric plugs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Project86 · 03-14-2019, 08:47 PM

Is there any way to update old wiring to the newer style electrical connectors? Has anyone done this before?
My 86 has a EZwire kit. However I want to eventually change up all the space connectors and older plugs for newer ones.

Are there any kits available?
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**kwmech** · 03-15-2019, 01:03 AM

Are you talking about converting to the Weather Pack connectors?

D13 · 03-15-2019, 06:05 AM

There are Metri-pack kits available on evilflay and elsewhere. Just a lot of work to repin all the connectors. And you may run into length issues if no slack was left in the harness...

**hatzie** · 03-15-2019, 08:25 AM

Each connector has a working envelope. MAX Amperage and Voltage.
Pay attention to the amperage of the circuit you're connecting and make sure the connector is good to around 20% higher than the fused current.

kipps · 03-15-2019, 06:51 PM

Most of the connectors on your stock harness are going directly to devices. Headlight switch, tank selector switch, fuse box, water temp sensor, tail-light bulb, etc. You'll be looking at large-scale fabrication if you intend to replace each of these with their modern equivalents. There's simply not a lot of connectors left that you can swap to metri-pack without redesigning the whole thing.

I'm working on something similar. I'm routing the dash harness to my own liking, using a modern fusebox under the hood, installing a ls engine, and changing quite a few things to match what I want it to do. Obviously, I'm using the original packard 56 and pack-con connectors at all the devices on the dash. I'm using metri-pack on the engine and fusebox stuff, since that was built that way to start with. Any new stuff will be metri-pack.

The hard part of what I'm describing is simply figuring out how all the connectors work, what tools are needed, and what and where to order. The other hard, but fun, part is reverse engineering both the '87 and the 2010 harnesses, and designing my own circuits. I expect the actual harness assembly to be a breeze.

Another caution, is don't just blindly assume your existing harness is junk. By the time you remove it, clean it up, inspect it, and figure out how it works, you'll probably realize it's in pretty good shape, and is actually trustworthy. I should have looked mine over better before shredding it. My main concern was the bad corrosion in the factory fusebox, from muddy boots, etc over the years. I could have bought a new factory-type fusebox, pinned my existing harness into it, and been far ahead. By the time I'm this far though, I might as well finish.

franken · 03-15-2019, 10:48 PM

Wut are electric plugs? The old ones were electric. Duh...

Project86 · 03-23-2019, 01:37 AM

Well my truck is officially bare bones.
Redone with the EZWIRING mini 12 circuit.
No power anything. No radio, windows, fuel tank selector etc

I’m running electric water pump, fuel pump, dual fans etc

Only major electrical components I have are my MSD 6al box and ignition setup. The above accessories, and my lights
Posted via Mobile Device

03-14-2019, 08:47 PM	#1
Project86 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Biloxi MS Posts: 259	Update to newer style electric plugs Is there any way to update old wiring to the newer style electrical connectors? Has anyone done this before? My 86 has a EZwire kit. However I want to eventually change up all the space connectors and older plugs for newer ones. Are there any kits available? Posted via Mobile Device

03-15-2019, 01:03 AM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,592	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs Are you talking about converting to the Weather Pack connectors?

03-15-2019, 06:05 AM	#3
D13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Memphis MI Posts: 1,851	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs There are Metri-pack kits available on evilflay and elsewhere. Just a lot of work to repin all the connectors. And you may run into length issues if no slack was left in the harness... __________________ 1987 2 ton 1982 250/TH350 beater in progress Dad's 1981 3/4 L6 3 on tree posi and no options, awaiting restoration or scrapping Plus a mess o' tractors

03-15-2019, 08:25 AM	#4
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,975	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs Each connector has a working envelope. MAX Amperage and Voltage. Pay attention to the amperage of the circuit you're connecting and make sure the connector is good to around 20% higher than the fused current. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

03-15-2019, 06:51 PM	#5
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,104	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs Most of the connectors on your stock harness are going directly to devices. Headlight switch, tank selector switch, fuse box, water temp sensor, tail-light bulb, etc. You'll be looking at large-scale fabrication if you intend to replace each of these with their modern equivalents. There's simply not a lot of connectors left that you can swap to metri-pack without redesigning the whole thing. I'm working on something similar. I'm routing the dash harness to my own liking, using a modern fusebox under the hood, installing a ls engine, and changing quite a few things to match what I want it to do. Obviously, I'm using the original packard 56 and pack-con connectors at all the devices on the dash. I'm using metri-pack on the engine and fusebox stuff, since that was built that way to start with. Any new stuff will be metri-pack. The hard part of what I'm describing is simply figuring out how all the connectors work, what tools are needed, and what and where to order. The other hard, but fun, part is reverse engineering both the '87 and the 2010 harnesses, and designing my own circuits. I expect the actual harness assembly to be a breeze. Another caution, is don't just blindly assume your existing harness is junk. By the time you remove it, clean it up, inspect it, and figure out how it works, you'll probably realize it's in pretty good shape, and is actually trustworthy. I should have looked mine over better before shredding it. My main concern was the bad corrosion in the factory fusebox, from muddy boots, etc over the years. I could have bought a new factory-type fusebox, pinned my existing harness into it, and been far ahead. By the time I'm this far though, I might as well finish.

03-15-2019, 10:48 PM	#6
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,100	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs Wut are electric plugs? The old ones were electric. Duh...

03-23-2019, 01:37 AM	#7
Project86 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Biloxi MS Posts: 259	Re: Update to newer style electric plugs Well my truck is officially bare bones. Redone with the EZWIRING mini 12 circuit. No power anything. No radio, windows, fuel tank selector etc I’m running electric water pump, fuel pump, dual fans etc Only major electrical components I have are my MSD 6al box and ignition setup. The above accessories, and my lights Posted via Mobile Device



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