Putting In a American Autowire Harness - What to Expect?

[KyleSeal]

As the title states, what should I expect? Anything to look for, tips for disassembly, re-assembling, and things (wear items and such) to go ahead and replace? First time with a new harness, and the wiring in my truck is so bad I have to disconnect my battery or else it'll die. As I said, AAW harness in a 1970 Chevrolet C10 2wd 5.7 v8.

[KyleSeal]

Also I have my 3 speed converted to floor - do I need to make any special changes for this?

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by KyleSeal

As the title states, what should I expect? Anything to look for, tips for disassembly, re-assembling, and things (wear items and such) to go ahead and replace? First time with a new harness, and the wiring in my truck is so bad I have to disconnect my battery or else it'll die. As I said, AAW harness in a 1970 Chevrolet C10 2wd 5.7 v8.

If I were installing a new harness I would get one that was set up for the internally regulated alternator and HEI ignition. The conversions are not that hard to do with the stock harness so if you already have the stock harness it's not a big deal.
Get yourself a good wiring diagram and follow it.

Best of all, we'll be here if you need us.

[KyleSeal]

Can you tell me more about the alt and HEI?

[fun in dirt]

Not sure which harness AAW you ordered, but if got the Classic Update, it will come already for HEI & internal reg. alternator. I've put their harnesses in 3 different vehicles & have had zero trouble. Great instructions that are easy to follow & great tech support if do have a question. Initially, the hardest part for me was crimping the wire connectors. They send a bag of them to practice with...yes, practice first! I was a tight wad and hard-head the first 2 projects & didn't get the crimper tool. I could still do them neatly, just took forever. By 3rd project bought a correct crimper & went twice as fast. Few tips off the top of my head:
- When taking you old harness out, mark every connector you unplug with tape as to where it went.
- Don't throw away old harness...you may need a few pieces off of it.
- Have to re-use (or make a new) to wiper motor & heater, a/c. New harness just comes with power wires to these switches.

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by KyleSeal

Can you tell me more about the alt and HEI?

The alternator and the HEI ignition were both added around 1974. The HEI replaces the points distributor and provides a better spark and it replaces the mechanical points inside the distributor. This means less adjustment and more reliability ( argumentative) than the points system. The coil is contained in the top of the distributor thus the larger cap on the distributor on stock GM HEIs.

The alternator i'm referring to is internally regulated by solid state items. Transistors, diodes, resistors. They are more reliable than the old externally regulated points style regulators and they are capable of more output to match the increasing demands of the electrical items on the trucks.

The conversions on both of these systems are relatively easy by modifying the wiring harnesses which is why I mentioned that you should order the harness with the mods already incorporated.

[Blazerowner]

I'm about to put the update series in my 72. You have to enlarge the he for the fuse panel. Anyone have suggestions for cutting the hole?

[gmachinz]

Go to a good air tool store and ask them for an "air nibbler". Its an extremely quick reciprocating hack saw and it cuts very fast but accurate.

[Lugnutz65]

I'm just beginning the installation of an AAW Classic Update Kit for 1960-66.
I'm not knocking AAW. They have good reviews and sell a great product.

The diagrams and directions are good, but not perfect. Compare the original wiring harness to whatever you are doing. Here's an example of me coming close to making a minor screw up. The 1965 fuel gauge has a pink and a brown wire. Depending on which way you look at the connection block (V shaped block) you might get the wires swapped. Look at their diagram in the photo next to the original 1965 factory connection block. After studying the diagram, I would have installed them wrong. Lucky I had an original wire harness to compare. The AAW diagram actually IS CORRECT, but could easily be misinterpreted after a just quick glance.

Also, these 2 tools will save you time and money. AAW wants to RENT you a pair of crimpers for exactly what I PAID for my crimper. My ratcheting crimper even does spark plug wires and a bunch of other stuff because it has several different dies. The 5th pic shows the die I used tonight to make all of my gauge cluster terminal crimps. All were made using the middle position - 14-16 GA.

[Lugnutz65]

I made these crimps tonight - first time using the crimper and all were EXCELLENT. Not because of my talent but because the crimper is GREAT. It correctly squeezes the fold over the bare wire AND over the insulation all at the same time - ONE squeeze.

The wire stripper is so nice that I will never reach for any of my other strippers again.

Not bragging about anything here. Just super happy about some quality tools that make life so much nicer for my installation.

[cableguy0]

I have installed a bunch of their harness from full custom highway 22 to direct fit. I like them a lot. They come complete with everything needed. If you want something special just call them. They will add or remove circuits for you. Very easy to deal with. Had them make a harness for a 77 Jeep Cherokee chief as well and they did one hell of a job.

[truckdude239]

I didnt buy there cimpers but used normall climpers a lnd solider every cimp i made

[dirtyjim]

as far as the crimpers go I have two sets of ratcheting crimpers and 10 sets of various Packard crimpers. once you start using the Packard crimpers that's all you'll want to use. I've picked them all up used on ebay for anywhere from $65 to $10