50 yr old wiring nightmare - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

groundbound64 · 06-12-2014, 06:48 PM

trying to rewire/repair my rear taillights/brake lights.. 50 yr old wires, 3 previous owners (that repair half ass).. wish there was a wiring guru near me.. I'm about to go crazy.. Vent of the day !!

markeb01 · 06-12-2014, 06:58 PM

That can certainly be a pain to deal with, plus the risk of burning your investment to the ground. I feel your pain. Having been through the nightmare too many times before on previous old rides is why I completely rewired my truck with a brand name kit when I first got it 20 years ago.

61_FL_Apache · 06-12-2014, 07:43 PM

Well.... You could start over with a Painless wire harness.

**PGSigns** · 06-12-2014, 07:47 PM

My 65 was so bad I just pulled it out an replaced it with a AAW classic update kit. I am pretty good at wiring and when the wire and plugs are showing signs of age and the things folks do to them in almost 50 years all ad up it is time for a new one. And having a harness designed for the new ignitions, alternators and lights sure makes it nice.
Jimmy

RANDY COX · 06-12-2014, 07:50 PM

I know what you mean, Mine had atleast 5 splices just on the front park lights.. Crazy..

donthekawguy · 06-12-2014, 07:52 PM

I replaced all the tail light parts and both harnesses, Ignition swithc, dimmer, brake switchand all connecters. Everything was plug and play. Now on to the dash and engine.

**pimpston65** · 06-12-2014, 08:20 PM

it wouldnt be soo bad,if they all werent painted red!!!

groundbound64 · 06-12-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpston65

it wouldnt be soo bad,if they all werent painted red!!!

Tell me about it.. I was planning on doing a wiring update but not until winter.. Just want to get it fixed up so I can enjoy the new airride and wheels.. but be safe and not burn it to the ground in the same process.. But i'm ready to burn it now... lol

sixTsix · 06-12-2014, 08:51 PM

that doesn't look too bad ...
you should see the wiring or whats left of it in my truck hahah

rickywideglide · 06-12-2014, 08:57 PM

mine was pretty junked up in rear as well from p.o wiring in trailer lights,you can always just make new rear harness from firewall back and i would add extra grounds at each tail light

**pimpston65** · 06-12-2014, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groundbound64

Tell me about it.. I was planning on doing a wiring update but not until winter.. Just want to get it fixed up so I can enjoy the new airride and wheels.. but be safe and not burn it to the ground in the same process.. But i'm ready to burn it now... lol

this may be a strecth, but i have an extra complete harness, if u wanna go the that route all you need is the interior part with fusebox? just a suggestion!!!

groundbound64 · 06-13-2014, 09:48 AM

Well figured it out. Grounded the lamp assemble.. Worked .. Well left side. Found a crapped splice on the right side. So weekend project. Tidy up all the wiring. Unless its nice weather.. Then I'm cracking a beer on the deck at our campground !

51 okie · 06-13-2014, 09:52 AM

I had some wires that were painted as well , just took some acetone on a rag to get the paint off at least I could see what was what.

KTSK10 · 06-14-2014, 12:36 AM

I'm not even going to try and repair the harnesses in my truck. There are plenty of aftermarket manufacturers available so I'm just going to replace them all with new.

Dirtkid93 · 06-16-2014, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpston65

this may be a strecth, but i have an extra complete harness, if u wanna go the that route all you need is the interior part with fusebox? just a suggestion!!!

wondering if you still have it
my 64' wiring looks like a rats nest(previous owner )

lha1992 · 06-16-2014, 04:52 AM

HahA wiring ohhhhh boy look at the mess in my 65 which is a freaking nightmare! I'm pulling it an rebuilding it an also adding a second fuse box via a set of relays that will be switched on when I turn the key to run an start. Just to take the load off the 50yr old wiring. Gonna have the MSD box, petronix, radio, spot laps an whatever else I think of wired up to the next box.

**pimpston65** · 06-16-2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtkid93

wondering if you still have it
my 64' wiring looks like a rats nest(previous owner )

yeah i have a few, i'll get it together and send pics

Snailed · 06-16-2014, 05:20 PM

American Auto Wire Classic update kit. That was the best $400 I ever spent on my C10.

tr4boy · 06-16-2014, 07:26 PM

x2 on the AAW kit (500560). Went in easy and was the best upgrade I did to my 63. Unfortunately, I also found out that it was just as easy to take out when the truck was written off 1100 miles later. Sigh. Sitting in the garage now looking for a new owner. PM me if interested...

Dirtkid93 · 06-22-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pimpston65

yeah i have a few, i'll get it together and send pics

awesome

groundbound64 · 06-23-2014, 05:31 PM

I have another question.. After repairing and cleaning up my wiring. I found a wire that wasnt hooked to anything. traced the wire.. well it for my electric choke on my carb. I assume this wire is to have 12v at ign on/run ?? would if matter where I get my 12v from.. I was just going to run a new wire to fuse panel. Hopefully this is the issues of my truck bogging down on accel. Thanks in advance !!

**pimpston65** · 06-23-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtkid93

awesome

been uber busy i will post a few pics in the am, i hope...

supercharged · 06-23-2014, 08:49 PM

I feel your pain.

I was working on mine this weekend and kept finding loose wires, wires that went to nothing and tubing that when nowhere.

50 years of PO repairs and it appears nothing was ever removed only added to!

And I would love to rip it all out and start over but since it has a 454 and TH400, no space to work and currently runs - I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

06-12-2014, 06:48 PM	#1
groundbound64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Greely, On, Canada Posts: 89	50 yr old wiring nightmare trying to rewire/repair my rear taillights/brake lights.. 50 yr old wires, 3 previous owners (that repair half ass).. wish there was a wiring guru near me.. I'm about to go crazy.. Vent of the day !! Attached Images __________________ 64 C10 Stepside 350/4psd Driver/Project on air. Dom bags, Dual Viair and AccuAir 08 Ford F150 Limited- F-word ! Daily Driver .......................____ ..........._______l/ \____ ...........\|_/(0)\_ll____/(0)_l.

06-12-2014, 06:58 PM	#2
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare That can certainly be a pain to deal with, plus the risk of burning your investment to the ground. I feel your pain. Having been through the nightmare too many times before on previous old rides is why I completely rewired my truck with a brand name kit when I first got it 20 years ago. __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

06-12-2014, 07:43 PM	#3
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare Well.... You could start over with a Painless wire harness. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

06-12-2014, 07:47 PM	#4
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare My 65 was so bad I just pulled it out an replaced it with a AAW classic update kit. I am pretty good at wiring and when the wire and plugs are showing signs of age and the things folks do to them in almost 50 years all ad up it is time for a new one. And having a harness designed for the new ignitions, alternators and lights sure makes it nice. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

06-12-2014, 07:50 PM	#5
RANDY COX Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: RADFORD, VA Posts: 2,651	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I know what you mean, Mine had atleast 5 splices just on the front park lights.. Crazy.. __________________ 1964 BBC 402 4x4

06-12-2014, 07:52 PM	#6
donthekawguy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Rathdrum ID Posts: 1,128	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I replaced all the tail light parts and both harnesses, Ignition swithc, dimmer, brake switchand all connecters. Everything was plug and play. Now on to the dash and engine. __________________ 66 shorty

06-12-2014, 08:20 PM	#7
pimpston65 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: corktown,mi. Posts: 5,194	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare it wouldnt be soo bad,if they all werent painted red!!!

06-12-2014, 08:51 PM	#9
sixTsix Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Conroe/Houston Texas Posts: 121	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare that doesn't look too bad ... you should see the wiring or whats left of it in my truck hahah __________________ 66' Short Stepper- 350-NP440/4speed Under Construction - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=629426

06-12-2014, 08:57 PM	#10
rickywideglide Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: mechanicsville,md Posts: 360	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare mine was pretty junked up in rear as well from p.o wiring in trailer lights,you can always just make new rear harness from firewall back and i would add extra grounds at each tail light

06-13-2014, 09:48 AM	#12
groundbound64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Greely, On, Canada Posts: 89	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare Well figured it out. Grounded the lamp assemble.. Worked .. Well left side. Found a crapped splice on the right side. So weekend project. Tidy up all the wiring. Unless its nice weather.. Then I'm cracking a beer on the deck at our campground ! __________________ 64 C10 Stepside 350/4psd Driver/Project on air. Dom bags, Dual Viair and AccuAir 08 Ford F150 Limited- F-word ! Daily Driver .......................____ ..........._______l/ \____ ...........\|_/(0)\_ll____/(0)_l.

06-13-2014, 09:52 AM	#13
51 okie Active Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tulsa,OK Posts: 104	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I had some wires that were painted as well , just took some acetone on a rag to get the paint off at least I could see what was what.

06-14-2014, 12:36 AM	#14
KTSK10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Yukon, Oklahoma Posts: 47	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I'm not even going to try and repair the harnesses in my truck. There are plenty of aftermarket manufacturers available so I'm just going to replace them all with new. __________________ It starts as a diamond in the rough.

06-16-2014, 04:52 AM	#16
lha1992 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 504	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare HahA wiring ohhhhh boy look at the mess in my 65 which is a freaking nightmare! I'm pulling it an rebuilding it an also adding a second fuse box via a set of relays that will be switched on when I turn the key to run an start. Just to take the load off the 50yr old wiring. Gonna have the MSD box, petronix, radio, spot laps an whatever else I think of wired up to the next box.

06-16-2014, 05:20 PM	#18
Snailed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 219	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare American Auto Wire Classic update kit. That was the best $400 I ever spent on my C10. __________________ Daily Driver '66 C10 Fleetside Short Bed - LS swap - 4L80E - Accuair eLevel

06-16-2014, 07:26 PM	#19
tr4boy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: rocklin, California Posts: 72	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare x2 on the AAW kit (500560). Went in easy and was the best upgrade I did to my 63. Unfortunately, I also found out that it was just as easy to take out when the truck was written off 1100 miles later. Sigh. Sitting in the garage now looking for a new owner. PM me if interested...



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06-23-2014, 05:31 PM	#21
groundbound64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Greely, On, Canada Posts: 89	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I have another question.. After repairing and cleaning up my wiring. I found a wire that wasnt hooked to anything. traced the wire.. well it for my electric choke on my carb. I assume this wire is to have 12v at ign on/run ?? would if matter where I get my 12v from.. I was just going to run a new wire to fuse panel. Hopefully this is the issues of my truck bogging down on accel. Thanks in advance !! __________________ 64 C10 Stepside 350/4psd Driver/Project on air. Dom bags, Dual Viair and AccuAir 08 Ford F150 Limited- F-word ! Daily Driver .......................____ ..........._______l/ \____ ...........\|_/(0)\_ll____/(0)_l.

06-23-2014, 08:49 PM	#23
supercharged Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kemah, TX Posts: 210	Re: 50 yr old wiring nightmare I feel your pain. I was working on mine this weekend and kept finding loose wires, wires that went to nothing and tubing that when nowhere. 50 years of PO repairs and it appears nothing was ever removed only added to! And I would love to rip it all out and start over but since it has a 454 and TH400, no space to work and currently runs - I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie. __________________ Supercharged Scottsman Scottish by birth, American by law, Texan by the grace of God. “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” ― Aristotle

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