Need help with a wiring harness.

[CivilEGR]

Last time I really ran my truck a good amount, I had smoke coming from my wiring harness. It's all original and cracking really badly. I'd like to replace it, but I haven't found anyone with a pre-made harness that matches the diagram I pulled up.

Has anyone made their own harness before? I assume the numbers are the wire gauges, and the letters are colors, but where is the color key chart so I know I'm getting the right one?

[Accelo]

https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...YpTwKt593ljrDM

6 cylinder harness.

[raidmagic]

I use Rebel Wiring. I've put in 6 of their harnesses so far. Easy to use and easy to understand. If you are even mildly handy with wiring it's a piece of cake.

[SkinnyG]

I did American Auto Wire, as it is theoretically the most thorough. Also pricey.

It came with ALL the connections for ALL your components, plus extras to fit your typical component options and aftermarket accessories. Came with new headlight and ignition switches, too.

It went really well, and the connectors even appear to look exactly factory, if you're into that sort of thing. There are extra fuses for accessories you may have or want to add.

[SkinnyG]

Crazy double post?!

[franken]

wiringharness.com will have stock type harnesses--not cheap.

[MT65]

Skinny is correct, AAW has your exact replacement harness….don’t focus totally on price, look at the quality of the components and the number of them. AAW uses the same quality as the manufacturer, TXL, GXL etc, not the cheap pvc stuff…

[MT65]

Skinny is correct, AAW has your exact replacement harness….don’t focus totally on price, look at the quality of the components and the number of them. AAW uses the same quality as the manufacturer, TXL, GXL etc, not the cheap pvc stuff…

[ray_mcavoy]

According to the diagram you posted, it looks like you're looking for an engine harness for a 6-cyl truck with factory gauges. That harness should be readily available from the sources already mentioned.

And yes, the numbers on the wiring diagram indicate the wire gauge and the letters indicate the insulation color. I don't think I've ever seen a color key chart, but most of these were pretty straight forward ... B=black, V=violet, DG=dark green, etc. The only one that isn't quite so obvious is the W/OR/V which indicates white/orange/violet and is a special resistance wire with a multi-colored cloth type insulation.

[Pick121]

For those inquiring minds that want to know…
Edit, looks like they changed V (Violet) to PPL (Purple) in 1964

[64shortbox]

Or you could try something like this universal 21 circuit wiring harness with a spade fuse box. You would still need to get a bunch of Packard 56 male & female connectors so you can use ALL your factory connectors. That's what I did on my 64 but I also added Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt, A/C, Electric Cooling Fan etc. It took me several days to get it all done but it's ALL New wiring and My truck isn't even close to being original so I was more than happy to modernize the electrical.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/27599051447...Bk9SR9TDhsG_Yg

[CivilEGR]

I went with the American Autowire and it was a simple plug and play process. When I took the old harness off, I found more exposed wire where the insulation rotted off, and one of the connectors broke off where it rusted through. This has me considering redoing the entire truck's worth of wires now.

[MT65]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

Or you could try something like this universal 21 circuit wiring harness with a spade fuse box. You would still need to get a bunch of Packard 56 male & female connectors so you can use ALL your factory connectors. That's what I did on my 64 but I also added Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt, A/C, Electric Cooling Fan etc. It took me several days to get it all done but it's ALL New wiring and My truck isn't even close to being original so I was more than happy to modernize the electrical.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/27599051447...Bk9SR9TDhsG_Yg

Old car builder saying..Goods not cheap and cheaps not good….that would scare me to death…when you buy quality, your gonna pay for it….

[mr48chev]

Classic parts shows oem style harnesses for certain years in the 60/66 trucks and for six or 8 within that. https://www.classicparts.com/Wiring-.../products/205/

These might be a bit more spendy than the "universal" kits but you don't have to to constantly think out of the box and decode the instructions either. The color code is right, the wire length is right and the wire ends are right unless someone changed something and what they put in doesn't use the same connector. Temp sender connectors are in that list.

The more universal a complete wiring kit is the more confusing the instructions can be beause there are sections for several different vehicles and then things like several different alternators. It tests your reading and comprehension level.

[SkinnyG]

That harness from Classic Parts is totally the American Auto Wire kit. I recognize all the parts, having just put one in. It's a good kit.

[karlbenz]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

Or you could try something like this universal 21 circuit wiring harness with a spade fuse box. You would still need to get a bunch of Packard 56 male & female connectors so you can use ALL your factory connectors. That's what I did on my 64 but I also added Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt, A/C, Electric Cooling Fan etc. It took me several days to get it all done but it's ALL New wiring and My truck isn't even close to being original so I was more than happy to modernize the electrical.

I did the same. I also added everything you did but power doorlocks. There isn't a whole lot factory anymore anyway

[64shortbox]

karlbenz,
Yes, I bought mine several years ago, can't remember who I bought it from though it did come from eBay. The only thing I didn't care for on my setup was that the power windows were hot all the time, I added a relay so the windows would only have power with the ignition switch in the On or ACC position.

[Arne]

I did American Auto Wire on my '64 as well. Mostly stock, but the 2 engine harnesses were configured for right-side alternator and HEI distributor. Nice parts.