Under hood wiring

[CG]

Had my brother over the other day to help me take the hood off the C30 (Im having weird physical health issues and am unable to lift something like this by myself right now). But now I can take the rest of the front end sheet metal off by myself, not even close to as cumbersome as a hood.

I was going to try and go through and save the wiring but am seeing lots of previous owner "mods". I have an extra AAW kit for our trucks and have decided to go ahead and use the engine bay part of the kit. Not sure what's going on under the dash yet, may have to use the rest for that.

I'm going to keep the auxiliary battery and I think the headlight relay upgrade that I keep reading about is a good idea.

Looking to find out where I can get an entire new auxiliary battery harness, I dont see Koop selling them anymore. Also would like to know where you guys are getting your headlight relay kits.

And lastly what other upgrades would you do electrically up front while I have this all apart? Head light upgrades might be an idea, but I really dislike the any lights that lose the stock-ish look no matter how great the light is.

Here is the mess as she sits today haha!

[truckster]

First of all, I don't know anyone who thinks removing a hood by yourself is a good idea.

The previous owner of my Blazer had hacked the wiring in all kinds of weird ways. There were wire nuts everywhere. I rewired the whole truck.

As far as upgrades, I put in relays for the headlights and replaced the headlights with Hella headlights. They're a little flatter than the stock headlights, but aside from that you can't tell they're not stock, and they put out great light.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also put in a CS130 alternator, but that was primarily because I used the serpentine system from a 98 Chevy truck.

One word of advice: take lots of pictures and label everything. If you're like me, you won't remember everything you think you will.

[68 P.O.S.]

Headlight relays, internal regulated alternator, and a HEI are great upgrades. Also, check the bulkhead connector wiring to make sure it matches up with the AAW wiring.

[CG]

I have a box of small freezer bags that I use for nuts and bolts, they have a little spot on them just for labeling.

I forgot to mention Ill be going with the HEI. If the bulkhead isn't a match Ill for sure go ahead and install the under dash part of the AAW. Haven't given the alternator much thought since mines working fine, but you are correct I should at least think a little harder on that one.

[truckster]

I forgot about the HEI. I've been running one for years, and they work great.

[jimijam00]

You can build your own headlight relay harness pretty easily.

HOW TO Build a DIY Four Light Headlight Relay...

[REDROCKER652002]

If I was going to do what you are doing I would just rip all the wiring out and replace it all with the AAW stuff. If you already have it, why not, it is not difficult, and you can clean up the underdash and engine bay nicely. Just me .02, and that's about all it is worth LOL

[Rich72C10]

Might want to check out Mad Electrical - he might likely have something for your battery. But you'll have to call him up and I would expect a long chat (he is a talker but all great information).

Not only is there is there a relay upgrade for headlights but for the starter too.

As for headlights, I do like my Dapper Lighting OE7-Glass LEDs... closest I could get to a stock look with LEDs.

[CG]

The Dapper headlights are pretty nice looking. And with all new harness and all fresh grounds it sounds as though there is no need for the relay setup I was thinking about. At least that's the understanding I got from their videos.

[Rich72C10]

Likely true but I rather not have any of that (unneeded) extra power going through the dash/headlight switch.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by CG

The Dapper headlights are pretty nice looking. And with all new harness and all fresh grounds it sounds as though there is no need for the relay setup I was thinking about. At least that's the understanding I got from their videos.

Relays are a good way to save your switches. High current through switches causes arcing, which is one of the main reasons switches fail.

[MAC71Cheyenne]

VetteVet has a good tutorial on the headlight relays and HEI. Can be found first up in the electrical forum. I followed his instructions and replaced the headlights with Sylvania halogen lights. Goal was better light with out blinding everyone else on the road. Brighter, whiter, and no high amp draw through the headlight switch. Saves burning up the headlight switch or worse. After all the mess with the PO's attempt at the HEI if I was going to do it all over I would stick with a late 70's early 80's GM HEI dist and cap with out all the computer crap. If you have a tach, take out the resister in the tach wire or replace the harness with a new on and wallah!, tach works.
Just my 2 cents...

[my kids toy]

I just installed a head light harness from classic parts it was a plug and play harness.
https://www.classicparts.com/Headlam...ctinfo/52-298/

[firedemon]

do the headlight relays even if you dont change the bulbs . they will be a little brighter and put less of a load on your switches . always good on 50 year old switches and connections. if your going to do the alt watch out for valve cover to alt clearance although it looks like your running a bigblock im not sure if they have that problem .

[weq92f]

.

I suggest getting a bus bar to consolidate all your power leads in one spot ( pictures shows you may have something there by the passenger battery ).

Then take the time to understand where each of them goes and whether or not it needs a fusible link at the bus bar connection. Follow through with the installation of the fusible links ( bad things can happen with non fused power -- I have recent experience ).

I run my alt power directly to the bus bar rather than to either the battery or the starter. If you have the 3 wire alt, the sense wire would also go to the bus bar.

Hth,

-klb

[CG]

The AAW comes with all new switches. But you guys are correct, I really need to go check out Vettes faq stuff. I can see where a relay set up is still a good idea.

My goal is to remove the rest of the front sheet metal this week (depends on how my joints and muscles are holding up), do a detail of more cleaning and paint, and start to reassemble (fingers crossed).

[HO455]

I wasn't able to find the post, but I am sure that someone was able to get the auxiliary battery harness from M&H. They don't show it on the website but can make it. And if I am mistaken about M&H try AAW.

I installed a pair of old Hella lights in my Burban, but had to modify the core support to make them fit. Others have not had this problem, so it may be a 67 only thing, or it might be my 30 year old lights. Link to my repair thread scroll to post 105.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=698377&page=5

[Andy4639]

Adding a headlight relay harness isn't bad at all. You can buy one from several vendors are make one for cheap. I made all 4 of mine going about 10 years now. Hasn't failed yet in the 71 C-10.

The newer alternator with a internal regulator is a good way to go and it's a easy swap with the 94amp one its a direct bolt in. Uses the factory brackets and the wiring is easy. There are several write ups in the electrical section.

I found this for the battery harnesses.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/26310218775...4aAuxZEALw_wcB

[CG]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Adding a headlight relay harness isn't bad at all. You can buy one from several vendors are make one for cheap. I made all 4 of mine going about 10 years now. Hasn't failed yet in the 71 C-10.

The newer alternator with a internal regulator is a good way to go and it's a easy swap with the 94amp one its a direct bolt in. Uses the factory brackets and the wiring is easy. There are several write ups in the electrical section.

I found this for the battery harnesses.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/26310218775...4aAuxZEALw_wcB

Oh nice find, and a reasonable price ... thanks!