Has anyone done a low buck wiring harness swap?

[1955 Eddie]

Has anyone done a low buck wiring harness swap? Pics would be great. Did you make it yourself? Pulled from another vehicle? It would be for a very basic 1953 truck build.

Thanks in advance

[blackdiesel]

wiring harness is NOT a place to skimp!! thats one of the things that could A) leave you setting beside the road or B) burn your truck down. spend a few hundred bucks and get a quality unit

[1955 Eddie]

I agree and I did the American autowire kit in both my 55 car and truck. I needed all of those bells and whistles when I'm going with ac, power seats, power windows, dual electric fans, shaved door handles, etc, etc. If i went the same route on my 53 i would have 80% of the available wires zip tied outof the way. I know someone has to be going with a much easier kit or a swap of some sort. Im just seeing what the forum users opinions are on the subject. Thanks for the feedback

[rhodog77]

Im right in the middle of wiring my project. Im using the EZ 21 circuit wiring kit. I think I paid 165.00. So far, I am very satisfied. All the wires are labeled and the directions are pretty clear. Its not a simple thing or plug and play but it is pretty straight forward. EZ does not provide some of the here and there things like in-line fuses and accsssory grounds but at this point of my wiring, I would recommend this kit to anyone. I can post pix if you need but Im no where close to being done.

[blackdiesel]

they make like 8 and 12 circuit kits. (if i'm not mistaken they make some that are bare knucks, like just enough to run lights and a carbed motor) they are cheaper and you wouldnt have alot of excess wires in the way.

This would still be a more profitable way of wiring a low buck rod than trying to salvage something out of another vehicle. Time is money, at least it is in my shop.

[1955 Eddie]

Thanks guys. I will look up the EZ kit and on the American autowire site to take a look at a smaller kit. I'm open to any options but i agree at the end of the day it needs to be done right. If there is one option or brand of kit that you would recommend that would be great. It's for a bare bones 53 buid

[blackdiesel]

Rebal wires has a 8 circuit for like 130. I've heard good things about them.

[winchster]

I used EZ ten years ago, when it was only $99. I loved/love it. It has held up well, and it is made using the same exact wire as painless here in fort worth. They just don't want near as much money for theirs. http://www.ezwiring.com/

[MrSinister]

ditto on the ez wiring, I did the wiring swap route alot of work for something that I was unsatisfied with. Ripped it out and got the 21 circuit harness from EZ for $135 went in quick.

[JimmyFloyd]

Any pictures of the fuse box with the EZ 21? Or installed pictures and what you did with the old fuse block opening? Thanks

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Wire is affected by again. Adapting the wiring from something 20 years or more old is just asking for problems.

I've never bought a kit, I've always wired from scratch buying new wire and parts. But its been a while and my last look at the situation says to me buying a kit is the best way to go.

[dewey777]

Pics? Here you go!

I used a kwik wire unit, pretty good quality and paid under $200cdn. The entire re-wire was done in 1 weekend with the exception of a couple of wiring connections which I used factory GM connectors bought at Gregg Distributors. I also downloaded the EZ-2 Wire diagram online and printed with our plan printer at work. Not the same company as the wiring harness but the wires are all labelled about every foot.
It was SO easy! I am an electrician by trade but anyone with a bit of knowledge with DC wiring can do this.

[OrrieG]

I was going to build my own but after looking at the cost for wire, fuse panel, etc. the aggrevation factor or dealing with potential crosswiring and future diagnostics trumped the $20 or so I would have saved. I got an EZ21 kit because I plan on running extra circuits for a winch, aux. lights, trailer brakes, etc. I've called the company and the owner answers the phone. He answered my questions and told me when I got closer to wiring some of the different circuits to call and he would help me with fuse size and location. I would not strip a 20 year old harness out and reuse it. Heat and time are wires enemies, why burn a 20K truck to the ground to save a hundred bucks?

[Russell Ashley]

My original plan was to make my own wiring harness also but after reading this thread and adding up what it would cost in time and $$$ to make my own, I just went ahead and ordered the EZ 21 from EZ Wiring. It's $50 more now than the $135 someone mentioned.

[mr48chev]

I've been looking at this one but don't know anything about it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

This one is sold by some guys about 100 miles from me and is interesting for a simple harness. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hot-R...item1c0a57d32c

Simple and plenty of circuits for rigs that don't have a lot of extra bells and whistles.

[Indian113]

Mr 48 chevy, I bought one of those 14 circuit kits off e-bay and I' like it I'm going to wire my 64 stepper in 2 weeks. I've got some mechanical problems to clear up before I wire it.

[CHIZZLER]

Has anyone used the northwest autowire kit. They have a 12 circuit universal for about $95 shipped.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I bought the EZ smaller harness for my '46 - it won't have power..anything really. I was going to install it myself but decided I'd probably frustrate the hell out of myself and then probably burn it to the ground so I paid to have it totally rewired right. Headlights on relays, extra wires run for eventual trailer wiring, new aftermarket gauges, etc. NOT cheap but totally right and reliable. For wiring, I think its super important..