65 Wiring Harness

[jsdoyle]

The wiring in my truck looks like a bunch of spaghetti thrown up under the dash. The PO put in two cheap fuse panels and wires are running every which way.

I'd like to redo it. At the salvage yard there is a 65 that has a complete original wiring harness with fuse panel.

I was wondering if it is advisable to get it for a couple bucks to replace the mess I have or should I bite the bullet and get an aftermarket one? I've seen some on e-bay in the 170 dollar range.

Or any other recommendations you guys might have?

Thanks,

Scott

[LT1 Burb]

If it looks good I would buy it, nothing wrong with old wiring if it isn't corroded.

[MikeS.]

I feel just the opposite. Old wiring is OLD and can be dangerous. Look at my gallery, you'll find a pic where one of the wires burned through the insulation and through the electrical tape. I bought an American autowire complete rewire kit off of eBay for about $450 a pretty cheap investment if you ask me.
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[LostMy65]

Here's what I'm doing...

I tore out all the wiring.
Cleaned up the main wiring and only ran the absolutely necessary items.
I will not hook up any additional items to the original wiring.
I bought one of these http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BSS-15600-10-20/
All additional wiring will be routed through that.

[LT1 Burb]

I disagree, if there is no bad connections and the connections are good and tight and the wire is not damaged than it is good to go.

[Raked 64]

I installed a Painless kit. It is worth every penny and made for the truck. I wouldn't want to worry about an electrical issue on a truck that nice..

Just my opinion though. I tend to overkill most things.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

I disagree, if there is no bad connections and the connections are good and tight and the wire is not damaged than it is good to go.

I agree.
Although I do put a lot of stock in Markb01's opinion. He talks about the numerous heat and cold cycles the wiring has gone through over the last 40 years. He also mentions that certain stock wires for certain items are under sized.
Also, the ammeter wiring has a history of fires.
That's why I went the route I'm going; only the necessary items for the original harness, and new wires and fuse block as I hook new things up.
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[jsdoyle]

I appreciate both sides of story here. Obviously my first choice would be to buy new. But my budget was shot for a while just getting the truck. Hard to sell a new 450 dollar item to the wife so soon, she's not into the fine details like I am. She does like riding in it though.

I think I'll pull that harness from the truck at the salvage yard and test it and clean it up. Just see what I have. The instrument cluster is long gone but all the wiring connections are in place. Doubt it will cost me but a couple bucks.

I already pulled the heater distribution system, wiring harness for that and the dash control/cables from this truck. That stuff cleaned up nicely.

I should have pulled the wiring harness when I was there the last time but I didn't have my wasp spray with me and there was a nice nest over on that side of the truck protecting the fuse panel!

[tincan1966]

I wouldn't reuse a used harness from a junkyard truck. But I suppose it depends on how much you value your vehicle.
I recently installed one of those $150 wiring harness from Evil bay for a customer. What a piece of junk. I think it was an EZ wire or something. Fuse panel was completely inadequate, no provision to add anything. wiring lengths were strange, as if they intend for you to mount the fuse panel under the set or something. The intruction with it did not coorespond with the harness.

In my opinion, use a good product, there are several out there, Ron Francis, American Autowire, Painless Performance, Rebel....all have different price ranges and are quality products. I am biased, I prefer Painless. it's what we sell and install here primarily.

If the quality was the same, then they'd all be $150.....There is a reason the ones on the auction sites are cheap.

May not be popular, but that's my 2 cents worth.

[jsdoyle]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I wouldn't reuse a used harness from a junkyard truck. But I suppose it depends on how much you value your vehicle.
I recently installed one of those $150 wiring harness from Evil bay for a customer. What a piece of junk. I think it was an EZ wire or something. Fuse panel was completely inadequate, no provision to add anything. wiring lengths were strange, as if they intend for you to mount the fuse panel under the set or something. The intruction with it did not coorespond with the harness.

In my opinion, use a good product, there are several out there, Ron Francis, American Autowire, Painless Performance, Rebel....all have different price ranges and are quality products. I am biased, I prefer Painless. it's what we sell and install here primarily.

If the quality was the same, then they'd all be $150.....There is a reason the ones on the auction sites are cheap.

May not be popular, but that's my 2 cents worth.

Thanks! I didn't know anything about them but had a feeling there was a reason they were so cheap.

[LostMy65]

I think we all have to make decisions based off what we can afford do at the time.
Of course we can't afford an electrical fire.
It's funny when we were kids the biggest priority was cool wheels.
Now I'd say brakes and electrical should be first. With steering and suspension being right up there too.
So, the first thing I did was split my brake lines.
Then I tore into the electrical. I walked myself through each wire's route. There isn't much to the wiring on these trucks. I am confident that my 'refurbished' wiring is good until I can afford a new kit.
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[MikeS.]

Lost, it sounds like you've been through the wiring and replaced what was needed. For me it made more sense to buy a good reputable complete rewire kit and take the time and do it. Instead of like you did and walk through your wiring hey to each their own but it does sound like you took the effort to make your truck safe.
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[LostMy65]

I will surely upgrade to a top reputable wiring harness in the next couple years.
Right now I have more time than money.
I think jsdoyle said he is tight for money right now also.
So if he finds a nice clean harness to tide himself over until he can afford to buy new, he should be okay if he takes his time and checks all the wires and connections, and doesn't hook anything else up to demand more from system.
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