Painless wiring or LMC Truck wiring...which is better?

[smoknbarrels]

I need a full wiring harness kit, I am not sure which to go with? my truck has a few electrical options - I did add an electric fuel pump, HEI, stronger headlights, electric cooling fans, and an air compressor. so I do need a few accessories.
any recommendations would make my life a lot easier? I don't mind spending a little extra to get a good product.

[smoknbarrels]

hmm, just looked up AAW.. they look pretty decent,.. or at least self proclaim... anyone have experience with them?

[chevychase]

Originally Posted by smoknbarrels

hmm, just looked up AAW.. they look pretty decent,.. or at least self proclaim... anyone have experience with them?

Found a quick link with a positive on AAW:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343141

I have Painless system that I haven't installed so I can't comment.

[smoknbarrels]

yea, I seen that too in the search, but that guy sells those kits, so it's a little biased...

[chevychase]

Originally Posted by smoknbarrels

yea, I seen that too in the search, but that guy sells those kits, so it's a little biased...

Good Point!

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by smoknbarrels

yea, I seen that too in the search, but that guy sells those kits, so it's a little biased...

What you fail to realize is we just don't sell these kits we install them in the shop here as well. Ron Francis, EZ, and other similar kits are very basic and will require reusing exisiting connectors and frequent trips to the auto part store for stuff you did not know you needed. M&H makes an equal product to AAW if you want factory style harnesses and is an excellent product as well. It is a wash between the two. I refuse to use another Painless harness after installing one. If you want the custom features of Painless, the AAW Classic Update kit does exactly the same thing but goes one step further and gives you all the correct connectors so you do not have to reuse any like you will with Painless. On top of that instructions are step by step so any idiot can wire their truck with a few simple tools. And if you still have problems, AAW tech support is the best we have found, they know their products.

[Bob B.]

Good to know AAW has custom harnesses as well. The wiring in my '67 GMC is about 90% AAW, and I could not be happier with it. I think new harnesses really adds to a restored vehicle's reliability. I'll tell you, we '67-'72 GM pickup enthusiasts are very fortunate that we can get quality wiring for our trucks. I am helping a friend restore a '69 F-250, and you can't buy any OEM style wiring for those trucks. Painless is it. Ford uses a lot of odd connectors that are not made anymore.

[Leo70]

I bought a kit from Mike (Musclerodz) about two months ago, and this weekend began to install it. Its really easy, good direction, good diagrams and it really comes with everything you need. I wired my truck ( 1970 fleetside) just like stock, and the kit comes with upgrades for Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power seats, Electric Fuel Pump and even a third break light. I'm very happy with my kit, specially because a shop quoted me $ 1800 to rewire my truck.


Leo.

[CG]

There is a large thread on another car board frequented by pro car builders and AAW comes out on top with all of them. Sounds like their instruction and quality are hard to beat.

I think the harness they make for our trucks sounds a little better than the other guys offer. Musclerodz, the rep for AAW has a very good rep on this board. I dont think Josh would let him be a board vendor if the stuff he sold was crap and I dont think Musclerodz would even consider selling something that was subpar.

I was going to go with Painless until I checked the other wiring kits available. Painless is good and has a good rep, but Ill be buying one of the AAW kits for my panel next week.

[Longhorn Man]

Seems a lotta people go with an aftermarket harness thinking it'll be easy, or not as hard as a stock harness, but then they are always the ones asking a million questions and never getting the answers they are looking for.
If you know basic electronics, then the aftermarket ones may be better. If you are more of a novice, then you might be better doing a one for one swap with new factory stuff, and then add a couple new sub systems for your added items.
Personally, I would stick with stock stuff myself. It is so easy to add stuff that I have never seen any reason to go with aftermarket wires. Nine times out of ten, there is no reason to even replace whats there.

[CG]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Seems a lotta people go with an aftermarket harness thinking it'll be easy, or not as hard as a stock harness, but then they are always the ones asking a million questions and never getting the answers they are looking for.
If you know basic electronics, then the aftermarket ones may be better. If you are more of a novice, then you might be better doing a one for one swap with new factory stuff, and then add a couple new sub systems for your added items.
Personally, I would stick with stock stuff myself. It is so easy to add stuff that I have never seen any reason to go with aftermarket wires. Nine times out of ten, there is no reason to even replace whats there.

I agree, but in my case...there is nothing there =)

[Tx Firefighter]

I've never seen LMC make anything of their own. It looks a lot like Painless that they sell to me.

[Jarridlem]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I've never seen LMC make anything of their own. It looks a lot like Painless that they sell to me.

And usually at a higher price with shipping than the other guys!

[big_al_71]

We rewired my complete truck and used brand new factory style harness and it took five days to complete the whole truck as I did not want to see one single wire so my assistant extended the harnesses.

[smoknbarrels]

well I figure since I need to upgrade the alt. wiring, the headlights, dizzy, and plus my fuse block is broken off the firewall - I figure I am better off replacing the works.
If I go with the AAW set, I just hope it's easy to determine which key wires to move from the column to the dash ignition.

[Big-Blue]

When the AAW set came out, they posted a nice video on MySpace I think. It may be on YouTube as well. It was several minutes long. I am not a "MySpace person" so I can't tell you how to find it.

[cparman]

I used M&H wire fabricators on my 67 Chevelle. They were great, but AAW is just as good. Both of these companies will modify an OE harness to accept HEI, and a new style alternator. Like Longhorn man said I am a fan of an OE wiring harness. The biggest reason is that IF a problem arises in the future, you can look at a factory wiring diagram and get help. My next big project, like my Chevelle will get new wiring from one of these two companies.

[LUV2XCLR8]

My truck has "M & H" and it looks like OEM, fit like it,
had all of the same connectors, & same wire colors.

[Bob B.]

If you are restoring your truck factory stock, I think AAW is the way to go. High quality, the right connectors and color codes. My only advice is to be sure to check the new harness against the original or a factory wiring diagram. Once in a great while they will mix wires up in the connectors, and it is much easier to fix that problem before the harness is in the truck! Painless is probably best if you are going to add a lot of custom features like power windows or non-factory A/C. Painless is high quality too, and it is easy to add circuts.

[stueber68]

It sounds like you might as well go with an aftermarket style with all of the add-ons with your truck. It will give you the availibility to add relays for your headlights, fuel pump, and fan. If you were to use a reproduction you would just have to cut a bunch of it up to do your upgrades.

[haysonj]

I used the painless kit and it was a piece of cake to install. the fuse panel fits in the stock location and all wires are factory color with numbers every foot or so and a book that tells what each number goes to It also separates the circuits as to engine compartment cab and tail lights. It had all the connectors I needed except the harness for the stock AC

[JustLiveIt]

Hey smoknbarrels, I have my brand new Painless harness for sale in the classifieds section if you decide to go for the Painless harness. Here is the link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341883

[stueber68]

link doesn't work

[JustLiveIt]

Hmm... how about this link?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341883

[heavy71chevy]

I found a 23 circut harness at speedway motors...thats the route im going....ill post link later