Rewiring - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big69C20 Toy · 08-03-2004, 09:07 AM

Any of you fellas have a good guide for rewiring these trucks.
My 69 is having some electrical short issues due to too much juice running thru some wires and my hack job wiring.
I think ill just buy a whole new harness but i was wondering if new harnesses/fuse blocks are available and how bad this job would be to do. I'm a ME so i'm not very fond of electrical work but i wanted to do this one since i'm tired of my shoddy wiring jobs looking bad and the truck needs it.

Any links on where to source, how to install etc. would be great.
Also looking to do that whole 1-wire alt setup too.
Thanks much,
Greg

stickshift_or_walk · 08-03-2004, 10:01 AM

Big Toy,

On this board you will find many posts regarding electrical issues that end up with a recommendation for MAD Electrical Enterprises (http://www.madelectrical.com/).

In addition to the great parts, kits, and solutions Mark sells, he produces some of the best documentation out there on why our trucks were wired as they were, what you should keep, and how to best upgrade what needs help.

You can get a sample of the docs on his website. He's also really helpful and a great guy to deal with.

Hope this helps...SSOW

rin68 · 08-03-2004, 01:09 PM

another vote for Mark at MAD. just got off the phone with him, he's extremely knowledgeable and will definitely get you in the right direction. i'll be installing a combination of a Painless harness and some MAD upgrades in the 68 next week.

Blue68 · 08-03-2004, 05:17 PM

I did my underhood job myself. It was bad enough I couldn't make it much worse. I used products and lots of info from MAD (junction blocks(get 2 or three of these!), fusible links, connectors). The best information I gleaned from him was the AMMETER and why the main junction was where it was in regard to the alternator measuring a proper voltage with the multiple wires.

I found that Napa had the best assortment of wires and colors. Pretty much everything from the bulkhead out under the hood was replaced with new wire (there was several that were melted on mine) and ran relays for the headlights. Even ran a couple of relays under the dash to run the torque converter lockup, electric choke and HEI.

Mainly, take your time, don't rip out anything until you are 110% sure why it is where it is, and then verify your thoughts with the shop manual.

Big69C20 Toy · 08-05-2004, 04:19 PM

Well thanks for that info guys. I think i might go with a painless kit and then some toys from MAD. i just hate doing wiring and so of course it worries me! i'll keep everyone informed

neonlarry · 08-05-2004, 09:22 PM

Here are a couple of other places that make harnesses.
http://www.hotrodwires.com/
http://www.wiringharness.com/

08-03-2004, 09:07 AM	#1
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	Rewiring Any of you fellas have a good guide for rewiring these trucks. My 69 is having some electrical short issues due to too much juice running thru some wires and my hack job wiring. I think ill just buy a whole new harness but i was wondering if new harnesses/fuse blocks are available and how bad this job would be to do. I'm a ME so i'm not very fond of electrical work but i wanted to do this one since i'm tired of my shoddy wiring jobs looking bad and the truck needs it. Any links on where to source, how to install etc. would be great. Also looking to do that whole 1-wire alt setup too. Thanks much, Greg __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

08-03-2004, 10:01 AM	#2
stickshift_or_walk Left Foot Functioning Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duncan, OK Posts: 350	Big Toy, On this board you will find many posts regarding electrical issues that end up with a recommendation for MAD Electrical Enterprises (http://www.madelectrical.com/). In addition to the great parts, kits, and solutions Mark sells, he produces some of the best documentation out there on why our trucks were wired as they were, what you should keep, and how to best upgrade what needs help. You can get a sample of the docs on his website. He's also really helpful and a great guy to deal with. Hope this helps...SSOW __________________ 69 C10 (#1 son's ride) 72 C20 (Dad's farm truck) 82 K30 (Ex - brush pumper project)

08-03-2004, 01:09 PM	#3
rin68 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: East Peoria, IL Posts: 600	another vote for Mark at MAD. just got off the phone with him, he's extremely knowledgeable and will definitely get you in the right direction. i'll be installing a combination of a Painless harness and some MAD upgrades in the 68 next week. __________________ 1968 C10 - 383, non-stop project 1969 Camaro - 327, bone stock family heirloom...soon to be LS/T56, Ridetech, all the goodies

08-03-2004, 05:17 PM	#4
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	I did my underhood job myself. It was bad enough I couldn't make it much worse. I used products and lots of info from MAD (junction blocks(get 2 or three of these!), fusible links, connectors). The best information I gleaned from him was the AMMETER and why the main junction was where it was in regard to the alternator measuring a proper voltage with the multiple wires. I found that Napa had the best assortment of wires and colors. Pretty much everything from the bulkhead out under the hood was replaced with new wire (there was several that were melted on mine) and ran relays for the headlights. Even ran a couple of relays under the dash to run the torque converter lockup, electric choke and HEI. Mainly, take your time, don't rip out anything until you are 110% sure why it is where it is, and then verify your thoughts with the shop manual. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

08-05-2004, 04:19 PM	#5
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	Well thanks for that info guys. I think i might go with a painless kit and then some toys from MAD. i just hate doing wiring and so of course it worries me! i'll keep everyone informed __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

08-05-2004, 09:22 PM	#6
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Here are a couple of other places that make harnesses. http://www.hotrodwires.com/ http://www.wiringharness.com/ __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

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