Rewire cost

[OUbesto]

I'm looking to get a complete re-wire on my '70, C-10, LWB, 402 w/ AC and was wondering can provide any input:

1) approximate cost to have such work done?

2) Recommendation on best re-wire brand? Kit? Seller?

3) Anyone recommend a qualified dealer/person in the southeast Wisc area (Milw/Kenosha/Racine) or northeast IL area?

[drewbert41]

I bought the Rebel Wire 9+3 kit and rewired the truck myself with a little guidance. They also offer phone support if you get stumped. Overwhelming when it is all in the box but once you mount the fusebox and route the wires it is a lot less intimidating. Cost me $200 to rewire my truck. I don't have AC so you may need a dif kit than the 9+3.

[randy500]

A child could rewire one of these trucks if you use the factory original in good condition or a factory replacement. Take out the dash cluster, take a couple pics and just replace it. Easy access to everything. no cutting no splicing no nothing

[Tom Vogel]

Just get the American Autowire classic update kit and do it yourself. You don't need any experience to do this. You will thank me.

[Tdrcreyn4]

X2 on the AWW. Very straight forward, has everything you need and I had zero problems installing. Everything worked right the first time. Plus it has everything you'll ever need to upgrade and add features.

[Wizo]

x3 on the AAW. I found it extremely to install.

[Jcfcamaro]

American Auto Wire . They have Factory replacement or the classic. Put one of the factory replacements in my camaro and you could not even tell it was new looked factory with all the right plugs.

[davepl]

I don't know if maybe AAW sells M&H or if they're different companies, but I had M&H harnesses and was very impressed. Probably either is good if they're not the same thing!

Not only is everything cut to the right length, it's terminated with the right connectors. SO MUCH SIMPLER than trying to use a Painless or similar harness that you have to terminate.

I'd say how long depends on whether the instrument cluster comes out, which it likely does. I'd allow an hour to R&R that, then maybe 3 hours total to do the changeover, so maybe 4 hours of labor? That's just a guess.

[indymachinist]

I feel like the american auto wire kits are pretty pricey. Probably a good way to go for a stock or stock"ish" truck if you aren't into wiring.

The wiring on these trucks is so simple its silly. I bet a modern car has more wiring in a single door than these trucks have total.

In my case my wiring is going to be pretty custom so I'm planning to start from scratch.

[OUbesto]

Hey, thanks guys for your input. I'm going to take a whack at it and go with the AAW classic.

Did you guys find it easier to keep old wiring in place while swapping in new? Or, just rip out old entirely and start from scratch?

Any other hints or tips would be much appreciated.

[Jcfcamaro]

Take lots of pictures before you pull it out so you can see how everything is ran and routed. Then take it all the way out and start putting your new harness in.

[718jwh]

I am 30 miles west of Chicago if you bring here I will help you install it

[jeffahart]

AAW classic update is a nice kit. Get the proper crimper, get a good wire stripper, the self adjusting type. Get heat shrink for various wire gages. Plus I did a fair amount of soldering. You will need to decide on loom tape or the tubing(I like the tape, but I also tube the wires under the dash were wires are near moving pedals like e-brake brake and clutch, so the wires don't get worn).

There is not much to it, it's a fun weekend project. But if you are not comfortable or have back problems cannot get under the dash... or whatever, you are NOT a baby if you do not do it yourself. Figure a good man can do it in a day 8 hours. So harness price plus 8 hours rate... that's my guess on cost.

Here, this is every wire from the tuck.. not much to it.

[jeffahart]

Oh, forgot to add. with AAW classic update you will loose the ammeter and move off the external voltage regulator. You can read all the AAW instructions online before you purchase to see if you dig the kit or not.

Have fun...

[HO455]

Some of the update harness's give you the option to use a modern internally regulated alternator and come with the different wire styles (Ballast or non ballast) if you go HEI or other points conversion. If these are in your future or already installed, this is a good time to consider them. There are some threads out there that show different harness installations. My WMB thread shows the dash harness parts of a non A/C Suburban which is close but not exactly the same as your pick up. It may help you with IDing the components under the dash.