holy wire shortage... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bblank79 · 04-01-2013, 10:14 PM

I was charging my battey today turned around for a miniute when I got back out to the truck smoke was billowing out from the hood and seaping into the cab, i was literally gone for one miniute. There is a wire from the battery to a little box on the inside of the fender and from there to a harness with 4 or 5 other wires, and it ran to inside the cab. The wire was a thicker red wire. Under the dash is a mess of wires and i couldnt loacte where it went. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions???

**steelhorse** · 04-01-2013, 10:31 PM

New harness.Don't risk your truck on 40 year old wiring.

Gokart Mozart · 04-01-2013, 10:33 PM

What company has easiest/cheapest? I know they might not be the same...

bblank79 · 04-01-2013, 10:51 PM

Are there different harrness that I should check out or what? I have no idea about wiring...

Gokart Mozart · 04-02-2013, 07:50 AM

A quick search came up with

LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=160
Eckler's http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/electri...harnesses.html
Summit / Painless http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pr...ckup/year/1970
Carolina Classic Trucks http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com...g-harness.html
EZ someone got on Ebay http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568201
M & H Electric Fabricators http://www.wiringharness.com/
VH Coachworks http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512511

or if you want to do it yourself color diagram http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185665

If I've missed anyone, please add to the list.

jmorri34 · 04-02-2013, 07:51 AM

Man Im with the guy above, just go with a new wiring harness. You can go with american auto wire or painless wiring, I am sure others have opinions too but these are the ones I have heard of. You can do the whole truck for round 450. No need to lose a whole classic for that kinda replacement money.Anyone else??

hfd410 · 04-02-2013, 08:43 AM

got mine from early classics. A little pricey but all the connections are already made. No cutting, splicing, or crimping. Just plug it in and go. Im not sure of the manufacturer of them. Call ECE and ask for Stan

DT1 · 04-02-2013, 08:47 AM

When I restored mine I was looking at different options for a harness. All of the per-built harness were (In my opinion) too expensive so I started looking a just buying wire and connectors. I was shocked at just how much copper has gone up in price so I looked on Ebay. I purchased a good used harness from a 1995 Pontiac Trans Am. It was the complete harness from bumper to bumper for $60.00. I was able to wire the whole truck and also use the newer fuse box and some of the connectors and I still have lots of wire left over.

in deep 72 · 04-02-2013, 08:53 AM

I've heard good things about American Auto. Unfortunatly not untill after I had mostly installed a Painless harness. FYI, "Painless" is just a name and has NOTHING to do with the install. I had over 40 hours just under the hood and front lights. Definitely get something that already has all the connectors on it. Plug-and-play!

MARKDTN · 04-02-2013, 09:35 AM

It is a well-kept secret that all electronics work by smoke not voltage difference. Once you let the smoke out, they don't work any more.

Seriously, once you have had smoke and melted wires it is best to replace the harness. I have seen the results of electrical fires that turned into house fires and it is not pretty. I have used the "streetrod" sytle harness and I would much rather use a factory style with factory ends if at all possible. It will be more expensive up front, but you will save installation time and will have a better resale. The only time a streetrod harness makes sense to me is in a race car or heavily modified (no factory switches) type installation.

**CC69Rat** · 04-02-2013, 10:00 AM

I have a complete harness out of a 69 SWB stepper you can have free if it will help you. Just pay shipping on it and I'll send it to you. Even if you used parts of it, it might be a direct swap over (not sure what kind of truck you're working on) .. LWB I'm thinking might be a bit different but .. it's here if needed. Just PM and I'll make arrangements to get it to you.

bblank79 · 04-10-2013, 09:57 AM

CC69RAT that would deffinatly help! I have been discouraged lately after my incident, looking at the prices of wiring harnesses. Plus i look at the wiring diagrams and am kind of lost. I have a 1970 C 10.

**CC69Rat** · 04-10-2013, 10:16 AM

SWB or LWB ? This one came out of my SWB stepper .. but I think it's the same from the cab forward. (?) Someone might help us out here. It's pretty solid and uncut.

PM me your address and I'll get it to you ..

Orange Crate · 04-10-2013, 10:39 AM

bblank79-It sounds to me like you might have fried your voltage regulator. Your voltage regulator might have been bad to begin with (Why were you charging the battery?)

Quote:

There is a wire from the battery to a little box on the inside of the fender and from there to a harness with 4 or 5 other wires, and it ran to inside the cab. The wire was a thicker red wire.

If you are going to buy a new harness you might want to think about converting to an internally regulated alternator and you can buy harnesses that are already set up for the internal regulator, but it requires an internally regulated alternator also. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks60_72/t60_100.html

cdowns · 04-10-2013, 11:26 AM

sounds to me like you hooked the charger up backwards to cause damage like u described

**CC69Rat** · 04-10-2013, 11:38 AM

tell you what .. shipping on me bro. All I need is your address. If you're not making mistakes, you're not learning, .. just how I see it. Whatever happened, I bet you wont do it again. This harness is just laying in my basement, not doing anyone any good. It's yours.. just let me know where to send it.

jmking9 · 04-10-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

tell you what .. shipping on me bro. All I need is your address. If you're not making mistakes, you're not learning, .. just how I see it. Whatever happened, I bet you wont do it again. This harness is just laying in my basement, not doing anyone any good. It's yours.. just let me know where to send it.

Honestly, for the last few weeks I have really been down on this board. Mostly due to the same person posting something negative or belittling in a lot of threads. Rarely gives advise, just chimes in to try to make someone feel stupid. No one seems to say anything about it, so I was beginning to think this was becoming acceptable. It was really getting under my skin. Then a member like CC69Rat makes this very kind offer and restores my admiration for the people that frequent this board. I cant let the .1% ruin this board for me, because the other 99.9% are GREAT people! Thank you CC!!!

**Racer2172** · 04-10-2013, 12:23 PM

Good on CC69. I have a harness out of a 72 as well if you need the long bed tailight portion. PM if you want it no charge.

BOHICA-Chevy68 · 04-10-2013, 12:40 PM

made my own. much easier as I can change the length of wires without splicing. it just takes a bit more time.

Gokart Mozart · 04-10-2013, 02:18 PM

I could use the harness if you don't mind and he doesn't need it. That's one of the things I need to take care of. The P/O pulled the V8 and put in an inline 6. As you can see in my pic, it's not good. It also has a short somewhere, draining the battery. That's why I had a list of companies that do harnesses. It will be a while before I can afford a new one. I'm on a medical leave from a tumor removed from my spinal cord last July and insurance gets the bills paid and not much else.

**CC69Rat** · 04-10-2013, 02:58 PM

Either way .. It's here if you guys need it. I'm doing an aftermarket harness in my truck so I'm not going to be needing it.

All I ask is PAY IT FORWARD

If we all pull together, we can get through anything. It just takes a little respect and to put yourself in the other persons' shoes for a moment. I just feel like you guys have done a lot for me so it's the least I can do to return the favor.

bblank79 · 04-10-2013, 05:48 PM

Its a 70 LWB. I was chargimg my battery because there is either a short that is draining my battery or for some reason my alternator isnt kicking on? When i got the truck the battery cables were reversed, so I DONT think I was charging it backwards! is there a way to tell if the voltage regulator is bad, it brand new only a few months old? Thanks everyone for the advise and help!

**CC69Rat** · 04-10-2013, 06:21 PM

Autozone can test it for you, I worked for them a long time ago.
Posted via Mobile Device

**CC69Rat** · 04-10-2013, 07:57 PM

Brian, Ill be at my Pops place on Sat. Ill box it up and get it on the way to you. I hope it works out, just use whatever you need, or even swap out the whole thing (?). Its pretty clean as far as I remember. Not hacked up as I recall.
Posted via Mobile Device

jmorri34 · 04-10-2013, 08:19 PM

Hey man dont give up on this board, there are tons of good people on it willing to help for every 1 schmuck that just wants to berate people and probly doesnt even have a truck. Its a great place here and full of good people, if I ever see anyone in need and can answer questions I do it and so will many many others. Dont give up fella!!

04-01-2013, 10:14 PM	#1
bblank79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Monett, mo Posts: 9	holy wire shortage... I was charging my battey today turned around for a miniute when I got back out to the truck smoke was billowing out from the hood and seaping into the cab, i was literally gone for one miniute. There is a wire from the battery to a little box on the inside of the fender and from there to a harness with 4 or 5 other wires, and it ran to inside the cab. The wire was a thicker red wire. Under the dash is a mess of wires and i couldnt loacte where it went. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions???

04-01-2013, 10:31 PM	#2
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: holy wire shortage... New harness.Don't risk your truck on 40 year old wiring.

04-01-2013, 10:33 PM	#3
Gokart Mozart Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 432	Re: holy wire shortage... What company has easiest/cheapest? I know they might not be the same...

04-01-2013, 10:51 PM	#4
bblank79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Monett, mo Posts: 9	Re: holy wire shortage... Are there different harrness that I should check out or what? I have no idea about wiring...

04-02-2013, 07:50 AM	#5
Gokart Mozart Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 432	Re: holy wire shortage... A quick search came up with LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=160 Eckler's http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/electri...harnesses.html Summit / Painless http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pr...ckup/year/1970 Carolina Classic Trucks http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com...g-harness.html EZ someone got on Ebay http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568201 M & H Electric Fabricators http://www.wiringharness.com/ VH Coachworks http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512511 or if you want to do it yourself color diagram http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185665 If I've missed anyone, please add to the list.

04-02-2013, 07:51 AM	#6
jmorri34 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spring, Tx. Posts: 479	Re: holy wire shortage... Man Im with the guy above, just go with a new wiring harness. You can go with american auto wire or painless wiring, I am sure others have opinions too but these are the ones I have heard of. You can do the whole truck for round 450. No need to lose a whole classic for that kinda replacement money.Anyone else??

04-02-2013, 08:43 AM	#7
hfd410 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Burleson Texas Posts: 570	Re: holy wire shortage... got mine from early classics. A little pricey but all the connections are already made. No cutting, splicing, or crimping. Just plug it in and go. Im not sure of the manufacturer of them. Call ECE and ask for Stan

04-02-2013, 08:47 AM	#8
DT1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gardnerville Nv No Mo Cali!! Posts: 869	Re: holy wire shortage... When I restored mine I was looking at different options for a harness. All of the per-built harness were (In my opinion) too expensive so I started looking a just buying wire and connectors. I was shocked at just how much copper has gone up in price so I looked on Ebay. I purchased a good used harness from a 1995 Pontiac Trans Am. It was the complete harness from bumper to bumper for $60.00. I was able to wire the whole truck and also use the newer fuse box and some of the connectors and I still have lots of wire left over.

04-02-2013, 08:53 AM	#9
in deep 72 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lisbon ND Posts: 111	Re: holy wire shortage... I've heard good things about American Auto. Unfortunatly not untill after I had mostly installed a Painless harness. FYI, "Painless" is just a name and has NOTHING to do with the install. I had over 40 hours just under the hood and front lights. Definitely get something that already has all the connectors on it. Plug-and-play!

04-02-2013, 09:35 AM	#10
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,143	Re: holy wire shortage... It is a well-kept secret that all electronics work by smoke not voltage difference. Once you let the smoke out, they don't work any more. Seriously, once you have had smoke and melted wires it is best to replace the harness. I have seen the results of electrical fires that turned into house fires and it is not pretty. I have used the "streetrod" sytle harness and I would much rather use a factory style with factory ends if at all possible. It will be more expensive up front, but you will save installation time and will have a better resale. The only time a streetrod harness makes sense to me is in a race car or heavily modified (no factory switches) type installation. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

04-02-2013, 10:00 AM	#11
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... I have a complete harness out of a 69 SWB stepper you can have free if it will help you. Just pay shipping on it and I'll send it to you. Even if you used parts of it, it might be a direct swap over (not sure what kind of truck you're working on) .. LWB I'm thinking might be a bit different but .. it's here if needed. Just PM and I'll make arrangements to get it to you. __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

04-10-2013, 09:57 AM	#12
bblank79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Monett, mo Posts: 9	Re: holy wire shortage... CC69RAT that would deffinatly help! I have been discouraged lately after my incident, looking at the prices of wiring harnesses. Plus i look at the wiring diagrams and am kind of lost. I have a 1970 C 10.

04-10-2013, 10:16 AM	#13
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... SWB or LWB ? This one came out of my SWB stepper .. but I think it's the same from the cab forward. (?) Someone might help us out here. It's pretty solid and uncut. PM me your address and I'll get it to you .. __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

04-10-2013, 11:26 AM	#15
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: holy wire shortage... sounds to me like you hooked the charger up backwards to cause damage like u described __________________ 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

04-10-2013, 11:38 AM	#16
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... tell you what .. shipping on me bro. All I need is your address. If you're not making mistakes, you're not learning, .. just how I see it. Whatever happened, I bet you wont do it again. This harness is just laying in my basement, not doing anyone any good. It's yours.. just let me know where to send it. __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)



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04-10-2013, 12:23 PM	#18
Racer2172 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 319	Re: holy wire shortage... Good on CC69. I have a harness out of a 72 as well if you need the long bed tailight portion. PM if you want it no charge. __________________ 65 C-10 Times gone by(Sons truck)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...92#post6164692 70 C-30 Tow truck AKA Highlighter 02 Silverado 2500 HD CUCVII Tow Rig/DD 1968 C10 Project Quarantine http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=804800 1980 Buick Regal Dirt Stock car

04-10-2013, 12:40 PM	#19
BOHICA-Chevy68 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 46	made my own. much easier as I can change the length of wires without splicing. it just takes a bit more time.

04-10-2013, 02:18 PM	#20
Gokart Mozart Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 432	Re: holy wire shortage... I could use the harness if you don't mind and he doesn't need it. That's one of the things I need to take care of. The P/O pulled the V8 and put in an inline 6. As you can see in my pic, it's not good. It also has a short somewhere, draining the battery. That's why I had a list of companies that do harnesses. It will be a while before I can afford a new one. I'm on a medical leave from a tumor removed from my spinal cord last July and insurance gets the bills paid and not much else.

04-10-2013, 02:58 PM	#21
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... Either way .. It's here if you guys need it. I'm doing an aftermarket harness in my truck so I'm not going to be needing it. All I ask is PAY IT FORWARD If we all pull together, we can get through anything. It just takes a little respect and to put yourself in the other persons' shoes for a moment. I just feel like you guys have done a lot for me so it's the least I can do to return the favor. __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

04-10-2013, 05:48 PM	#22
bblank79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Monett, mo Posts: 9	Re: holy wire shortage... Its a 70 LWB. I was chargimg my battery because there is either a short that is draining my battery or for some reason my alternator isnt kicking on? When i got the truck the battery cables were reversed, so I DONT think I was charging it backwards! is there a way to tell if the voltage regulator is bad, it brand new only a few months old? Thanks everyone for the advise and help!

04-10-2013, 06:21 PM	#23
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... Autozone can test it for you, I worked for them a long time ago. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

04-10-2013, 07:57 PM	#24
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,206	Re: holy wire shortage... Brian, Ill be at my Pops place on Sat. Ill box it up and get it on the way to you. I hope it works out, just use whatever you need, or even swap out the whole thing (?). Its pretty clean as far as I remember. Not hacked up as I recall. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

04-10-2013, 08:19 PM	#25
jmorri34 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Spring, Tx. Posts: 479	Re: holy wire shortage... Hey man dont give up on this board, there are tons of good people on it willing to help for every 1 schmuck that just wants to berate people and probly doesnt even have a truck. Its a great place here and full of good people, if I ever see anyone in need and can answer questions I do it and so will many many others. Dont give up fella!!

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