Wiring Harness Question - Sorry

[CJ5 Convert]

Allright folks I know this has been brought up a hundred times. But I didn't find a thread that dealt with just a blazer build. Also I wanted to get the newest info I could. So here it goes.

I am looking to put a replacement (Painless style) wiring harness in my '69 Blazer. The kit I was looking at is a 18 cicuit kit made for a 67-72 Chevy/gmc but it is a universal for all trucks/burbs/blazers. So I was wondering am I just destined to bunch up a bunch of extra wire, or hack a brand new harness, or is there a special kit made just for blazers. Also which brands are the best.

Thanks -Jason

[lookingtobuy]

Try these guys:

http://www.americanautowire.com/Free_Catalog.html

[Musclerodz]

We are a dealer for American Autowire and they are of the best in the business. They have direct factory oem replacement harnesses and while most the truck ones will interchange, there is a couple that are blazer/jimmy only. They have an update harness coming out but not till late this year. I have sold several sets of harnesses to members both stock and universal. Universal is great for the custom installs and you can't beat there Highway 22 18 circuit kit. All of there stuff is top quality and more complete than any other kits on the market.

Mike

[LUV2XCLR8]

"GQ" has one from M&H and you can't tell it apart from stock
except for the fact that it is brand new, it uses factory type
plugs and connectors just like the OE harness & fits perfect.

[lks dcvn]

Link to the M&H site - I have also heard nothing but GREAT things about what they put out...

M&H Electric Fabricators, Inc

I already have a growing list of things I would like to do to my Blazer (including rewiring it), but I have a few other home projects that need to get finished first before I tear into the Blazer...

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing...

[RED72blazer]

I also have am M & H Harness. Best Quality I've seen! I was very happy. everything was plug and play.

[vtblazer]

The trucks are all the same up front.
Under dash, head light harness...etc.

From there you find blazer specific stuff like fuel gauge wire, rear light assembly...etc.

[CJ5 Convert]

Allright hear is where I get confused If I just by one of the 18 circuit kits how many of the specialty wiring stuff like wires to the instruments, heater and stuff like that will I need.

Thanks again for all of the info.

[Yukon Jack]

On both my 69 and 70 I've used the factory style replacement wiring harnesses that are in the engine bay and they sure are nice. All the connectors are there and everything is exactly where it needs to be. They are a bit pricey and if I remember correctly, the dash harness is real pricey! If it were me, and I don't like screwing with wiring, I would buy the replacement harnesses for the engine bay and get everything hooked back up. So far I haven't found problems with my under dash harnesses - they are protected so seem to fair better than the engine bay harnesses. If everything then works, I would get out the electrical tape and start bundling those loose under dash wires to get them under control.

[jfortner]

I would sit down and make a chart of your different options:

..........................................Time..........Cost.........Expandability........Final Look..........Future Troubleshooting

Clean up existing wiring............80hr..........$100...........Limited............Messy.................Difficult
Replace with aftermarket...........40hr.........$700..........Unlimited........Super Clean...........Easy if I label everything
Replace with stock...................20hr..........$500...........Limite.........Clean..................Medium
Replace only necessary.............30hr..........$200...........Limited.......... Fair...................Medium
sections

This is roughly what mine was; The super clean look and unlimited expandibilty is what were most important to me. The extra price on that also included new battery cables; new grounding straps; new starter quick disconnect. And I upgraded to a one wire high output alternator.

You need to figure out what is best for you. If you clean up the wiring that is something you can do a section at a time; there are some good diagrams out there that were posted. http://www.mygreatstuff.com/wiring/ is where I downloaded it from. If you rewire it will be out of service for the rewiring time. Maybe that is a factor? If you are only adding a stero and driving lights I don't think expandibility is a need. While it looks like a mess now with some time and paitence you could get it all cleaned up. I can give you a good deal on some used wiring harness parts. I did cut a few wires on mine but most of it came out intact. I am storing my Blazer at my dads ~3 hours from me and only get over every month for a weekend so it may be a bit before I can confim what shape it is in and which parts are worth saving.

Time or money that is always the choice. I am going the built out of bought parts route and it adds up quick. I think I just crossed $20K; I quit tracking offically at $12K. But for $1200 the rig was a steal right?

Not sure how much that helps. Also how you are going to use it may make a difference; I am planning on this being a daily driver and want anything questionable replaced now. So my costs include new switches; aftermarket switches; relays; etc to make this thing as reilable as possible. I didn't want to be replacing a headlight switch in six months; a wiper switch in 12 months; etc so I replaced them all now.

John

[jfortner]

By the way a fact I probably shouldn't leave out is I use to be an electrican; and am currently an electrical engineer so the wiring doesn't scare me at all. There is nothing really difficult about it, just make sure you use the right parts and do the work right the first time.

John

[Musclerodz]

That looks pretty bad. Let me know if I can help. You can go with the factory replacement and yes more expensive than a universal, but you get all the correct factory ends and little to no assembly. With the highway 22 kit, or any other kit, you will have to use a lotof you original ends

Mike

[CJ5 Convert]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

That looks pretty bad. Let me know if I can help. You can go with the factory replacement and yes more expensive than a universal, but you get all the correct factory ends and little to no assembly. With the highway 22 kit, or any other kit, you will have to use a lotof you original ends

Mike

Mike, I'm going to contact you for some prices on the wiring kit's. I'm leaning towards a Highway 22 Kit. I forgot to post the back of the instrument panel but it got hot and burned up the printed ciruit too. So there are some definite problems. I want to start fresh either a full OEM set or the Higway 22 Kit. I just need to get some prices. By the way that fan shroud you sold me is perfect. Thanks again -Jason

[CJ5 Convert]

Originally Posted by jfortner

By the way a fact I probably shouldn't leave out is I use to be an electrican; and am currently an electrical engineer so the wiring doesn't scare me at all. There is nothing really difficult about it, just make sure you use the right parts and do the work right the first time.

John

There's the rub with me. I was an electrician for a long time mostly industrial, commercial and some controls work. I still have a current journeymans license and my dad is a master electrician. This is almost a pride thing, I know i'll do it right if I rewire it. I may screw up some things but that's part of learning.

But, then again I know I don't know a dang thing about these cars and I have never ever messed with these kind of DC systems. Plus I don't know a thing about cars, motors, or auto body work so it is all learn as I go.

One thing I know, is there is a lot I don't know about this stuff so I appreciate everything everone has helped with so far.

Thanks again, John