Wiring help

[kingstrider]

I need some help. I'm in the middle of replacing my battery cables and noticed some of the front wiring looks wrong, silly stuff like multiple connectors, changes in color along the same circuit, mixing stranded auto and home electrical wire etc. I traced it back to the voltage regulator and removed all the electrical tape to find a rats nest.

Whoever wired the truck omitted the voltage regulator and had taped the connector up with the rest of the wire, I'm guessing this isn't needed with an internally regulated alternator which only has one wire? In moving all the wiring around it appears I shorted or broke a wire somewhere as now the truck is dead, no lights, no starter, nada.

Eventually I want to restore the truck including new wiring but don't want to get into that at this time. For now I would just like to replace the cable to where it joins the firewall. Is this available from any of the suppliers? If so, what would I be looking for? Also do I need the voltage regulator or should I plan to bypass it as well?