Rewiring a 66 - Can a dummy do it?

[jbgroby]

Thanks Fetch for the kind words,

I too believe in plenty of pictures and at last count I have well over 675 of the restorations thanks for digital, film cost too much. I'm at the stage where I'm selecting the ones to put in an album to display at cruise nights.

[bmur66]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

Bmer,

I went to sears and purchased a nice crimping and stripping tool for $15.00.It makes the required crimps. Some of the best information on wiring can be found on Jolly's old site.

http://6066gmcguy.org/

http://6066gmcguy.org/wire-tips.htm

On each crimp I make I make sure to saddle the split on the point to "press down and inward to gran and pince the wires, THEN I follow with a painting of acid Flux and solder, then I put rubber heat shrink.

Takes about 3-5 minutes per connection, but worth it as they may never fail.

That must be what part of the standard crimping tool that I never use is for. Correct?
I agree with you guys on the pictures. It's real easy to snap some pics with your phone. Sure can save some head scratching. Thanks

[jbgroby]

The yellow handled set has the correct crush and crimp method I prefer, similar to Jolly's drawings. The red handled is mainly used for the butt connectors.

The problem with using the pre-made connectors with the plastic coating/sheild is that you cannot clearly see IF you have the seam crushed. I prefere to use plain and heatshrink, Becasuefirst you can see the crush/crimp and them you can cleary see if you have the solder coating correct.

By also using rubber heat shrink you get a better insulator than the header plastic and it won't dry out over time.

[mike14_07]

The wiring on my truck is actually super good. but im looking for the little clips and snaps that hold the harness in place. also my dimmer pig tail has been cut for a road side repair, but its too short, so i need one of those. any body have a complete wiring diagram they could send me? mines a 66

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by mike14_07

The wiring on my truck is actually super good. but im looking for the little clips and snaps that hold the harness in place. also my dimmer pig tail has been cut for a road side repair, but its too short, so i need one of those. any body have a complete wiring diagram they could send me? mines a 66

There used to be a color coded wiring diagram on the search function on the forums here, but I don't see it there now. Here is a link to ebay that has them the clips and snaps you will by googling them..Vernski

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...11&adpos=1s5&M

[low79fx]

I did this very same kit install in my 65 GMC and it was a breeze.Especially the way the kit is broken down in sections, just follow the set by step instructions per section and you can't go wrong, it all comes together in the end.
One little modification I did on my install was on the tail light pigtails, I added a ground wire that i soldered to each bulb socket then crimped a ring connector to other end of wire added and connected to frame to get a good ground to the tail lights as the original system depends a lot on body metal continuity made thru screws,bolts and metal contact paths made thru this nature.This is the only problem I have experienced with my install, I kept losing my tail lights due to water and dirt getting in the screw contact path that mounts the tail light housing to the bed, once I made the little adjustment to the tail light pigtails, my tail lights are solid and bright.
I also grounded as many body sections i.e. fenders, hood, cab, bed to each other and or to the frame to insure good ground reference, which these DC systems depend on. Can't stress this enough, good grounds, good grounds, good grounds make all the difference even in a brand new rewire and install.
With that good luck, just follow instructs you can't go wrong. I as everybody else am here if you need any help.

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by low79fx

I did this very same kit install in my 65 GMC and it was a breeze.Especially the way the kit is broken down in sections, just follow the set by step instructions per section and you can't go wrong, it all comes together in the end.
One little modification I did on my install was on the tail light pigtails, I added a ground wire that i soldered to each bulb socket then crimped a ring connector to other end of wire added and connected to frame to get a good ground to the tail lights as the original system depends a lot on body metal continuity made thru screws,bolts and metal contact paths made thru this nature.This is the only problem I have experienced with my install, I kept losing my tail lights due to water and dirt getting in the screw contact path that mounts the tail light housing to the bed, once I made the little adjustment to the tail light pigtails, my tail lights are solid and bright.
I also grounded as many body sections i.e. fenders, hood, cab, bed to each other and or to the frame to insure good ground reference, which these DC systems depend on. Can't stress this enough, good grounds, good grounds, good grounds make all the difference even in a brand new rewire and install.
With that good luck, just follow instructs you can't go wrong. I as everybody else am here if you need any help.

I like what you are saying about having a good ground it's about 90% of the problems with these trucks. I found another problem with my tailight bulbs the LED ones they are a tad smaller in diameter than the stock 1157 bulb mine were flickering on and off so I wrapped them with tin foal. I think these came from across the pacific somewhere. I just wonder if the tin foal will corrode I used dielectric grease on it..Vernski

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Vernski

I like what you are saying about having a good ground it's about 90% of the problems with these trucks. I found another problem with my tailight bulbs the LED ones they are a tad smaller in diameter than the stock 1157 bulb mine were flickering on and off so I wrapped them with tin foal. I think these came from across the pacific somewhere. I just wonder if the tin foal will corrode I used dielectric grease on it..Vernski

So while we are on the whole wiring thing


Verns comment above opens another can of little worms Vernski......

Do LED lamps make a big difference, and what difference?
The only changes I would want is to be more visible when slowing or stopping.

Also, who has fitted "modern crystal type lights" and HID's to their trucks?

Easy job? Recommended? Pitfalls?
Posted via Mobile Device

[jbgroby]

Griz,

I'm using the LED for the brightness, It can't hurt (except the wallet) but If the rear lights are brighter, I suspect 9 or of 10 tailgaters will agree that they will see them better, at right BEFORE they smash into us

[bmur66]

I haven't got my truck road ready yet but after it's inspected I have some tailight lenses ready to go with blue dots installed. I know they get attention.
By the way jbgroby, I picked up a pair of those good crimpers. Thanks for the tip.

[low79fx]

Here are some threads started by other members in the Electrical section of this site a lot helpful info. has been posted. Some relating directly to these trucks and others but still helpful.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378484
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=491436
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=508845
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345919
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185856

[low79fx]

Here are some threads started by other members in the Electrical section of this site a lot helpful info. has been posted. Some relating directly to these trucks and others but still helpful.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378484
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=491436
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=508845
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345919
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=185856[/QUOTE]

[dhvgabriel]

I am in the process of rewiring and bought the 500560 kit im intalling this on a 63 gmc but i ran into a problem already at the headlight switch it doesnt match the plug on the wiring kit has anybody else had this problem maybe if someone can put a pic of how its suppose to look that would help me iam new here and will try to figure out how to upload pics so i csn get some help
Posted via Mobile Device

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

So while we are on the whole wiring thing


Verns comment above opens another can of little worms Vernski......

Do LED lamps make a big difference, and what difference?
The only changes I would want is to be more visible when slowing or stopping.

Also, who has fitted "modern crystal type lights" and HID's to their trucks?

Easy job? Recommended? Pitfalls?
Posted via Mobile Device

I don't think they are worth the extra money, but they are brighter and suppose to last longer than a 1157 Vernski

[tincan1966]

In reference to the LED bulbs- here's what we've discovered in our shop:

Replacing standard bulbs w/ LED's ( using OEM housing/sockets, lenses) may not always produce a better light- reason: the LED's do not seem to particularly work well with some of the diffuser type lenses, and then altho brighter, actually have a smaller diameter illumination.

Also, as Vernski pointed out, sometimes the replacement bulbs do not fit tight in the old/worn sockets. This will cause poor ground contact and greatly shortens the life of the bulbs.

I'd recommend using the LED light assemblies that replace the entire lens as a unit. They are manufactured to work in that configuration, and I think they look better.

Just my opinion from experience.