Wrapping wire harness - or not - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jeffahart** · 07-31-2015, 12:00 PM

I picked up an AAW classic update harness and am considering either wrapping the harness with the factory type non stick tape prior to install. Or, just using small zip ties every few inches and maybe wrapping what's accessible after install. And maybe not wrapping at all. I'm planning on getting some split loom for the engine bay.

I got a few days to ponder. I'm installing a new radio and speakers this weekend and I want that functioning in place before I do the complete rewire.

Any input, just curious what others have done.

cdowns · 07-31-2015, 01:00 PM

I've always been a big fan of a nicely wrapped wire harness, take the time and it looks good for many years to come
not a fan of the cheezey split plastic type of wire harness retainers

MARKDTN · 07-31-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

I've always been a big fan of a nicely wrapped wire harness, take the time and it looks good for many years to come
not a fan of the cheezey split plastic type of wire harness retainers

I will second that. Find correct harness tape and wrap it snug.

MagmaJct · 07-31-2015, 01:56 PM

Don't think I've ever seen wire harness tape. How's it different than electrical tape?

Regards,
Mike

**jeffahart** · 07-31-2015, 02:38 PM

The harness tape is plastic non stick tape, but kind of sticks to itself a bit; and you tie off the ends. I just ordered two rolls.

Plus, what I thought was a non-ribbed split loom going across the firewall and core support is actually a purchasable part called "wiring harness mount rail", I just order this with the tape from brothers. So, I won't bother picking up any split loom.

I think I will spend the time to do a nice wrap. All the wires on the AAW are nicely labeled which started me leaning toward the zip tie idea. But then I've never had trouble tracing wires without labels, so no real loss... I don't think. There's that key word that always gets me .... think!

leftybass209 · 07-31-2015, 03:59 PM

I did the wrap myself. 2 rolls is a lot! It's really an easy affair. I did the wrap, and also the crappy black covering stuff anywhere it couldn't be seen like the rear taillight harness and between the front fenders and inner fender wells for extra protection.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 07-31-2015, 04:15 PM

I use the OEM flat wrap. It's great stuff. Got it from Eastwood so long ago I can't remember what I paid. Start with a clove hitch then overlap the length of the wire run, then finish with a clove or half hitch. No sticky glue like E tape.
Pack Rats will eat it though. I find the old asphalt-based friction tape is much less toothesome to rodents, and I cover with that in runs that rats will gnaw.

GASoline71 · 07-31-2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

I've always been a big fan of a nicely wrapped wire harness, take the time and it looks good for many years to come
not a fan of the cheezey split plastic type of wire harness retainers

This... 100%.

Gary

BossHogg69 · 07-31-2015, 06:15 PM

Painless Performance makes a nice braided style wire loom that is split but looks great .

74baggedbug · 07-31-2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

Painless Performance makes a nice braided style wire loom that is split but looks great .

I'm running that right now and I was really impressed with it.. Not cheesy looking and has a high melting point in case it gets close to the headers

BossHogg69 · 07-31-2015, 06:55 PM

I'm running it on my junk too - it matches the black nylon braided hoses/fittings I used under the hood. I bought the 'fuel injection kit' and it was enough to cover everything from headlights to taillights and underhood.

**jeffahart** · 08-25-2015, 12:11 PM

I decided to wrap with the tape(OEM type loom tape from brothers). I used a complete AAW Classic update harness, it supplied everything except AC. I used one full roll of tape and a small amount of the second roll. I may have been a little wrap crazy in a few spots. I left a couple extra inches exposed at fire wall so I can easily yank a wire if needed. The only things I did not wrap were temp wire, brake wire, reverse wire to transmission and taillight wires after the bulk connector right before the bumper. I'm now very happy, with clean wiring that I know. All the old auxiliary camper wires and... who knows how many versions of trailer wires were the biggest mess.

*Taibo* · 08-25-2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagmaJct

Don't think I've ever seen wire harness tape. How's it different than electrical tape?

Regards,
Mike

No adhesive.

07-31-2015, 12:00 PM	#1
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,906	Wrapping wire harness - or not I picked up an AAW classic update harness and am considering either wrapping the harness with the factory type non stick tape prior to install. Or, just using small zip ties every few inches and maybe wrapping what's accessible after install. And maybe not wrapping at all. I'm planning on getting some split loom for the engine bay. I got a few days to ponder. I'm installing a new radio and speakers this weekend and I want that functioning in place before I do the complete rewire. Any input, just curious what others have done. __________________ White K20

07-31-2015, 01:00 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not I've always been a big fan of a nicely wrapped wire harness, take the time and it looks good for many years to come not a fan of the cheezey split plastic type of wire harness retainers __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-31-2015, 01:56 PM	#4
MagmaJct Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 281	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not Don't think I've ever seen wire harness tape. How's it different than electrical tape? Regards, Mike __________________ I own 3 classic vehicles. 1971 LWB C10 Deluxe. 1974 VW Super Beetle. 1971 VW Fastback. The C10 and the Super Beetle run, the Fastback is just not there yet! Please visit my Super Beetle and Fastback profile on TheSamba.

07-31-2015, 02:38 PM	#5
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,906	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not The harness tape is plastic non stick tape, but kind of sticks to itself a bit; and you tie off the ends. I just ordered two rolls. Plus, what I thought was a non-ribbed split loom going across the firewall and core support is actually a purchasable part called "wiring harness mount rail", I just order this with the tape from brothers. So, I won't bother picking up any split loom. I think I will spend the time to do a nice wrap. All the wires on the AAW are nicely labeled which started me leaning toward the zip tie idea. But then I've never had trouble tracing wires without labels, so no real loss... I don't think. There's that key word that always gets me .... think! __________________ White K20

07-31-2015, 03:59 PM	#6
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,189	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not I did the wrap myself. 2 rolls is a lot! It's really an easy affair. I did the wrap, and also the crappy black covering stuff anywhere it couldn't be seen like the rear taillight harness and between the front fenders and inner fender wells for extra protection.

07-31-2015, 04:15 PM	#7
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,424	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not I use the OEM flat wrap. It's great stuff. Got it from Eastwood so long ago I can't remember what I paid. Start with a clove hitch then overlap the length of the wire run, then finish with a clove or half hitch. No sticky glue like E tape. Pack Rats will eat it though. I find the old asphalt-based friction tape is much less toothesome to rodents, and I cover with that in runs that rats will gnaw. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

07-31-2015, 06:15 PM	#9
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not Painless Performance makes a nice braided style wire loom that is split but looks great . __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

07-31-2015, 06:55 PM	#11
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not I'm running it on my junk too - it matches the black nylon braided hoses/fittings I used under the hood. I bought the 'fuel injection kit' and it was enough to cover everything from headlights to taillights and underhood. __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

08-25-2015, 12:11 PM	#12
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,906	Re: Wrapping wire harness - or not I decided to wrap with the tape(OEM type loom tape from brothers). I used a complete AAW Classic update harness, it supplied everything except AC. I used one full roll of tape and a small amount of the second roll. I may have been a little wrap crazy in a few spots. I left a couple extra inches exposed at fire wall so I can easily yank a wire if needed. The only things I did not wrap were temp wire, brake wire, reverse wire to transmission and taillight wires after the bulk connector right before the bumper. I'm now very happy, with clean wiring that I know. All the old auxiliary camper wires and... who knows how many versions of trailer wires were the biggest mess. Attached Images __________________ White K20

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