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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Richardson TX
Posts: 8
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1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
I decided to give my 1968 GMC a heart transplant for christmas. My new 350 is here, and assembled, but I keep looking at the hatchet job the previous owner did to the wiring on this poor truck.
I have done a fair bit of research and the American Autowire Update Kit seems like the direction I want to go. It has alot of what I am looking for extra circuits, Any tips, where to buy, things to watch out for in the process, etc. Engines and mechanical work dont freak me out but the electical stuff is a bit out of my comfort zone. Cant learn without breaking stuff tho, so why not dive in head first. |
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#2 |
Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
It's a walk in the park if you know how to read and identify the diagrams. Most of the kit is plug and play like your stock harness, but when it comes to the extras it's not so strait forward. Not hard but not strait forward. I have done a couple of them in trucks for my customers. I have a 72 short stepside in my shop write now that has power windows, power seats, power doors, and dual electric fans. No inline fuses needed. By the way M&H has the same kit and we sell both brands.
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On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 4,143
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
I just finished an AAW classic upgrade kit on my 72. Top notch product. You need the crimpers that they rent or sell, both sizes, you can't properly do the job without them. You should also watch the crimping video on their web site before you attempt to crimp anything. I would buy this kit again and recommend it to anyone.
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1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703 |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Moses Lake Washington
Posts: 162
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
X2 on the crimping pliers, you will want a couple of rolls of the tape they sell also, i had to trim the firewall a little but they send a template with the kit, it is a very nice product, very well packaged and they really do a good job of marking everything clearly and all of the diagrams are color coded, in addition they send a few practice parts to get you crimping correctly before you start
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Clovis, NM
Posts: 19
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
Just finished the rewire on my wifes 68. I had no clue what I was doing. Its about as easy as you can get. If you have problems AAW has expert to help out when needed. I called once for the shaved door kit. Top notch product and customer help. Wished I had this for my 69 Camaro.
Allen |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Richardson TX
Posts: 8
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
needs a picture of the truck. It needs/needed alot of TLC.
Thank you for advice. |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,331
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
Have AAW harnesses in my truck. Top notch product, no question. One bit of advice- before you install the harness, check it against a wiring diagram for crossed wires. A friend of mine almost burned up a restored 1970 'Cuda because the quality reproduction harness (not AAW, BTW) had a main circut going straight to ground. It does happen!
Nice '68!
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1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90. |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
nice little stepper you have there.
do most folks lean toward the labeled wires (i.e. circuit labeled every few feet on the wire - and I'm not sure if aaw has that printed on there) - or - do most folks prefer non-labeled? While the labled would be convenient and probably keep me from screwin a re-wire up, I think I'd preer the look of the non-labeled so it would look more stock. jdm (or WES, or anyone that has done it already) - are aaw's wires labeled? |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Clovis, NM
Posts: 19
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
They are labeled about every couple of inches. Makes for an easy rewire. I don't think I could have done it any other way. The descriptions on the instructions are really good, explanations and diagrams.
Allen Posted via Mobile Device |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Central Coast California
Posts: 1,026
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
Agreed, the AAW harness is top notch. I've done two.
I just watched the crimping video for the first time. Wow, like many things the right tools make the job look better and quicker. If I had one of those $100 crimpers I would have used it. Having said that, I used a standard wire stripper and crimper. It did the job and none of my crimps have come loose. (yet?)
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1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold ![]() 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold ![]() 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! ![]() 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold ![]() ![]() ![]() 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold ![]() 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) ![]() 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263 ![]() |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Bay, St John USVI
Posts: 58
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
I was looking at this kit, does anyone know if there are enough wiring differences with the 305 V6 to make me have to go custom over this harness?
I have searched but can't find any diagrams for the V6 to compare with the V8. This is the response I got from a vendor in a pm Luke, The kit is designed for V8 applications, I imagine you can adapt to a V6 application with a little splicing if needed. However, it does not state V6 specifically.
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67 GMC K2500. 305D V6, 4 spd, rotted wood bed, and lots of rust!! WTB: Eaton HO 4:10 or 4:11 tapered beaing gearset, or complete 3rd of either style bearing in the 4:10 ratio Last edited by PortalAxls; 12-22-2012 at 01:38 PM. Reason: Added vendor response |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 4,143
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
I think the V8 harness would work. The only differences are the locations of the sensors. The "engine" portion of the harness includes wires for the starter, oil sending unit, alternator, distributor (coil & ballast if needed), temp sender, and brake light switch. All of these wires require routing to the correct location & terminations. All of these wires are plenty long enough.
__________________
1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Redding, Ca
Posts: 36
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
I did the same on my 69 stepper. Not hard, just time consuming. I hate wiring, but the instructions were great. I bought mine straight from AAW. My truck was a original 6 cyl, and the wiring was hacked big time. I left the wirirng exposed on the firewall to give it a little color.
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#14 |
Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
Wether they are labeled or not depends on witch kit you buy. I have done both, but prefer the one with stock ends. The ones that the wires are labeled will need to be trimmed, and the stock ends applied. Although the stock ends come with the harness. WES
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On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys |
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#15 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: 1968 GMC American Autowire Update kit
By the way M&H has the same kit and we sell both brands.
![]() Wes, didn't you tell me that the main wire bundle under the dash came out the bottom of the fuse panel on the M&H? It comes out the top on the AAW kit, just like factory, so no need to try and route that huge bundle of wires so they can't be seen when you are getting in and out of the truck. The AAW Classic Update kit you sold me is an amazing piece, top notch and well thought out, their customer service on questions is great too. There is no way the old stock harness would handle half the electrical extras my Jimmy has on it, the AAW kit has extra circuits for all that plus more, and looks factory doing it. Does this sound like a commercial? Hey so be it, give credit where credit is due. Thanks,Wes Posted via Mobile Device |
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