47-55.1 wiring harness info

[Redraider]

Hi all,

Have any of you guys used Hot Rod Wires wiring harnesses? I am going to eventually(I hope) start a 51 5 window build. I have no idea on wiring harnesses, quality, number of circuits needed, etc. Any help y'all can provide would help greatly.

Thanks

Redraider

[mongocanfly]

id go with American autowire....make a list of all the electricals youll be running...call and talk to them and they'll recommend what you need...
on my truck I needed 12 circuits and they recommended the 15 circuit system

[dsraven]

good advice there. you kinda need to know what you will be running for engine and accy before you buy anything. personally I would get the driveline installed and go from there. sometimes these projects take awhile to get finished and minds change over time. I have seen guys who started out with the stock inline 6 and ended up with a fuel injected v8 with a/c, pdl, pw, air ride etc by the time the project was done. thats a few extra circuits for the different systems compared to the old system with a heater and an engine with a few lights thrown in for good measure. when the time comes also plan on having some good wiring tools around as well. double wall shrink tube, solder, strippers, crimpers, small torch and/or soldering gun, heat gun to shrink the tube, loom, loom clamps, etc etc. it's good to get the engine and trans in so you know where NOT to put the firewall bulkhead etc.

[oldman3]

Autowire would be my call. Great instructions, run 1 wire at a time, easy to keep neat...Jim

[mr48chev]

American Autowire and Rebel wire both have great reputations for their tech department and with wiring kits that is a must have thing.

I do see that Hot Rod wires shows a 24/7 tech line. If you like a particular product from I don't see an issue. https://www.hotrodwires.com/

I don't suggest the low buck wiring kits you find on Ebay though. A few years ago I bought one for my little roadster project and it ended up being a very basic kit with a small fuse block an just enough wire to get to the ignition switch, alternator, and volt meter if that. No wires to run any circuits. Simply meaning that there is no free lunch and great deals quite often aren't great deals.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by dsraven

good advice there. you kinda need to know what you will be running for engine and accy before you buy anything. personally I would get the driveline installed and go from there. sometimes these projects take awhile to get finished and minds change over time. I have seen guys who started out with the stock inline 6 and ended up with a fuel injected v8 with a/c, pdl, pw, air ride etc by the time the project was done. thats a few extra circuits for the different systems compared to the old system with a heater and an engine with a few lights thrown in for good measure. when the time comes also plan on having some good wiring tools around as well. double wall shrink tube, solder, strippers, crimpers, small torch and/or soldering gun, heat gun to shrink the tube, loom, loom clamps, etc etc. it's good to get the engine and trans in so you know where NOT to put the firewall bulkhead etc.

Heck yes to all of this. Good advice dsraven! I used a generic 22 wire harness and with quality tools and cable ends, I did pretty well. Definitely changed wire routing and cable ends as I bought other things like lights, gauges, engine sensors. You can get pretty far in your build without running a single wire. I'm now working on a 1930 Ford Tudor and probably won't get my wiring harness until after final fabrication and paint. About the only thing after that will be interior panels and maybe seats and a steering wheel.

[DransportGarage]

I used American Auto Wire's "Highway 22" 22-circuit system. Can't say enough good about it.

[crossfire84]

Same here^^