Braided wire loom - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

luckyss · 05-09-2013, 09:40 PM

So I just got my ez wiring kit and I am thinking of keeping all of the wires clean using braided wire loom. Has anyone used it before when doing their truck? I am trying to figure out what sizes are best for grouped wires and ho many feet of each size I would need. I realize this depends on the routing I choose but just looking for an estimate if any if you have already dome this.

Here is the style I found:
http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/CleanCutSleeving.php
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schurg · 05-09-2013, 11:21 PM

I've used my fare share of braided sleeving...it looks so damn good. especially compared to typical flexloom or tape. as far as tips..lemme think..
first..the 1/8" stuff is just that...basically its for a single wire no bigger then 18gauge..maybe 16...if your patient enough to string it through. this stuff is like an infinite chinese finger cuff, you gotta slinky it down the wire(s). I'd say get your harness kinda 'roughed in' as far as what goes where and tape the groups together in about 8" incriments, then put the sleeve on. what I like to do is use a good electrical tape on the end to tape about 3/4" of the sleeve onto the wires...then follow up with heat shrink over abut 1" of the sleeve and wire...makes it look like a million bucks. the diameters are pretty spot on, obviously you can put bigger stuff on smaller harness but it can tend to get kinda weird if its too loose. there is also a woven sleeve material that is split down the length and has little strips of velcro along the split, so you can put it onto harness that might be hard to get to or ones that might need to be reopened in the future...I'll have to look to see where to get it...I wish you luck with your project though.

there are a couple varients of the split woven loom here:
http://www.cablemarkers.com/braided.htm

luckyss · 05-10-2013, 12:00 AM

Thanks. I'll check that out. Any photos of what you've installed?
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ItsRandy · 05-10-2013, 01:01 AM

Buy more than you think you will need. The place I bought mine would only sell 100ft rolls. 3/16ths and 1/2in is what I think I used. A roll of 3/16ths was only $8. It was not the product you plan on using, I had to melt the end of the cut loom to keep it from fraying.
Buy several sizes of zip ties, I like black, they hide on the loom better. Buy several sizes of shrink tube, soldier and soldiering iron if you don't already have them, you can get these at Radio Shack. Soldier and shrink tube all of your connections.
Ron Francis Wiring sells a real nice grounding kit. If you don't buy one of his kits make sure you have enough wire to use for grounding...EVERYTHING. You can never have enough grounds. I have a dedicated ground going to almost everything on my truck, including the side marker lights, don't rely on the metal of the cab or frame to be a good ground. It takes a bit of planning and work but it's worth it. A bad ground will have you chasing gremlins in your electrical system for days.
Oh, buy yourself a good pair of wire strippers and stake on pliers (wire crimpers) Channel lock makes a nice set. For as much as you will be using them your hands and wiring project will thank you.

Sorry for the long post.

luckyss · 05-10-2013, 01:08 AM

No worries on the long post. I have the tools but nice tip on the grounding I will check out that kit. Where did you buy your loom from, I am finding them for much higher prices.
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ItsRandy · 05-10-2013, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyss

No worries on the long post. I have the tools but nice tip on the grounding I will check out that kit. Where did you buy your loom from, I am finding them for much higher prices.
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It's a place called Cable John's in Ontario California, wholesaler, I don't know if the have internet sales. I always go to their store to pick up supplies.

Scott>72-GMC · 05-10-2013, 01:16 AM

Pics?
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skorpioskorpio · 05-10-2013, 04:35 AM

There is many different types of braided sleeving. I use acrylic impregnated fiberglass, very high heat rating and very abrasion resistant, the downside is its expensive and doesn't expand as much as others. Many of the types have fairly low heat ratings so be particular as to what type you use, some will start to melt at temperatures lower than it takes for typical heat shrink tubing. One that note, using heat shrink on the ends makes for a great look IMO, use it in combination with braided hose and everything is all very consistent and clean.

05-09-2013, 09:40 PM	#1
luckyss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 123	Braided wire loom So I just got my ez wiring kit and I am thinking of keeping all of the wires clean using braided wire loom. Has anyone used it before when doing their truck? I am trying to figure out what sizes are best for grouped wires and ho many feet of each size I would need. I realize this depends on the routing I choose but just looking for an estimate if any if you have already dome this. Here is the style I found: http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/CleanCutSleeving.php Posted via Mobile Device

05-09-2013, 11:21 PM	#2
schurg Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: richmond, va Posts: 140	Re: Braided wire loom I've used my fare share of braided sleeving...it looks so damn good. especially compared to typical flexloom or tape. as far as tips..lemme think.. first..the 1/8" stuff is just that...basically its for a single wire no bigger then 18gauge..maybe 16...if your patient enough to string it through. this stuff is like an infinite chinese finger cuff, you gotta slinky it down the wire(s). I'd say get your harness kinda 'roughed in' as far as what goes where and tape the groups together in about 8" incriments, then put the sleeve on. what I like to do is use a good electrical tape on the end to tape about 3/4" of the sleeve onto the wires...then follow up with heat shrink over abut 1" of the sleeve and wire...makes it look like a million bucks. the diameters are pretty spot on, obviously you can put bigger stuff on smaller harness but it can tend to get kinda weird if its too loose. there is also a woven sleeve material that is split down the length and has little strips of velcro along the split, so you can put it onto harness that might be hard to get to or ones that might need to be reopened in the future...I'll have to look to see where to get it...I wish you luck with your project though. there are a couple varients of the split woven loom here: http://www.cablemarkers.com/braided.htm Last edited by schurg; 05-09-2013 at 11:27 PM. Reason: web linky

05-10-2013, 12:00 AM	#3
luckyss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 123	Re: Braided wire loom Thanks. I'll check that out. Any photos of what you've installed? Posted via Mobile Device

05-10-2013, 01:01 AM	#4
ItsRandy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Grand Terrace, Ca. Posts: 1,607	Re: Braided wire loom Buy more than you think you will need. The place I bought mine would only sell 100ft rolls. 3/16ths and 1/2in is what I think I used. A roll of 3/16ths was only $8. It was not the product you plan on using, I had to melt the end of the cut loom to keep it from fraying. Buy several sizes of zip ties, I like black, they hide on the loom better. Buy several sizes of shrink tube, soldier and soldiering iron if you don't already have them, you can get these at Radio Shack. Soldier and shrink tube all of your connections. Ron Francis Wiring sells a real nice grounding kit. If you don't buy one of his kits make sure you have enough wire to use for grounding...EVERYTHING. You can never have enough grounds. I have a dedicated ground going to almost everything on my truck, including the side marker lights, don't rely on the metal of the cab or frame to be a good ground. It takes a bit of planning and work but it's worth it. A bad ground will have you chasing gremlins in your electrical system for days. Oh, buy yourself a good pair of wire strippers and stake on pliers (wire crimpers) Channel lock makes a nice set. For as much as you will be using them your hands and wiring project will thank you. Sorry for the long post.

05-10-2013, 01:08 AM	#5
luckyss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 123	Re: Braided wire loom No worries on the long post. I have the tools but nice tip on the grounding I will check out that kit. Where did you buy your loom from, I am finding them for much higher prices. Posted via Mobile Device

05-10-2013, 01:16 AM	#7
Scott>72-GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: New providence ia Posts: 1,018	Re: Braided wire loom Pics? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 GMC super custom.

05-10-2013, 04:35 AM	#8
skorpioskorpio Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,018	Re: Braided wire loom There is many different types of braided sleeving. I use acrylic impregnated fiberglass, very high heat rating and very abrasion resistant, the downside is its expensive and doesn't expand as much as others. Many of the types have fairly low heat ratings so be particular as to what type you use, some will start to melt at temperatures lower than it takes for typical heat shrink tubing. One that note, using heat shrink on the ends makes for a great look IMO, use it in combination with braided hose and everything is all very consistent and clean.



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