1968 Chevrolet SWB Stepside Restomod

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by gdavis

I bet you are glad the wiring is done. I am just starting the wiring this month. I wll be ordering a wiring harness this next week.

I still have more wiring to do, exterior lighting, horn, and all interior wiring.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Several months ago I purchased a 20 circuit Universal wiring harness from Speedy Bill.
Yesterday I finally got around to start planning for the installation.
For those of you who like me have never attempted anything of this magnitude before it can seem overwhelming to say the least.
The first step in the process was wrapping my head around the big picture and understanding that this is basically the automotive equivillent of the nervous system in the human body then things start to come into perspective.
Everything needs power and with that in mind you can break the fuse block down into two catagories, constant power and ignition on power and once you understand that things become much more clear.
Constant power consists of things such as Headlights, horn, courtesy lighting, door locks, etc.
Ignition on power consists of things such as starter, fuel pump, radiator cooling fan(s), windshield wipers, windows, etc.
Another thing to understand about a complete custom wiring harness installation is that this is a marathon not a race, take your time and do it right because you don't want your ride to burn to the ground after you have spent 1000's of hours and 10's of thousands of dollars on it.

Here is a list of tools and consumables you will need to complete the installation.
1) Crimper, Linesman pliars, Dikes.
2) Electrical tape, Heat gun, Heat shrink tubing (assortment), Protective wire wrap(Loom), Zip ties, HVAC foil tape.
3) Soldering gun, flux core Solder.
4) Di-Electric grease.
5) Patience and Perseverance.

Good wiring practices are important.
With that in mind here are a few tips I have picked up, this is not a comprehensive list.
1) Seal every connection because rust and corrosion is not your friend.
2) Use the proper connector.
3) Tag wires for reference.
4) If you have to extend a wire use the proper gauge.
5) Plan ahead and route your wiring with future access in mind.
6) If you are going to route wiring near a high heat source shield it with protective wire wrap and HVAC foil tape.
7) Secure it.

Whew that was a lot of typing, ok so hopefully this has been informative and helpfull, I know it's a lot to take in but you will get the hang of it easily enough.
Dive in head first.
Till next time...

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Hey all;
Several months ago I purchased a 20 circuit Universal wiring harness from Speedy Bill.
Yesterday I finally got around to start planning for the installation.
For those of you who like me have never attempted anything of this magnitude before it can seem overwhelming to say the least.
The first step in the process was wrapping my head around the big picture and understanding that this is basically the automotive equivillent of the nervous system in the human body then things start to come into perspective.
Everything needs power and with that in mind you can break the fuse block down into two catagories, constant power and ignition on power and once you understand that things become much more clear.
Constant power consists of things such as Headlights, horn, courtesy lighting, door locks, etc.
Ignition on power consists of things such as starter, fuel pump, radiator cooling fan(s), windshield wipers, windows, etc.
Another thing to understand about a complete custom wiring harness installation is that this is a marathon not a race, take your time and do it right because you don't want your ride to burn to the ground after you have spent 1000's of hours and 10's of thousands of dollars on it.

Here is a list of tools and consumables you will need to complete the installation.
1) Crimper, Linesman pliars, Dikes.
2) Electrical tape, Heat gun, Heat shrink tubing (assortment), Protective wire wrap(Loom), Zip ties, HVAC foil tape.
3) Soldering gun, flux core Solder.
4) Di-Electric grease.
5) Patience and Perseverance.

Good wiring practices are important.
With that in mind here are a few tips I have picked up, this is not a comprehensive list.
1) Seal every connection because rust and corrosion is not your friend.
2) Use the proper connector.
3) Tag wires for reference.
4) If you have to extend a wire use the proper gauge.
5) Plan ahead and route your wiring with future access in mind.
6) If you are going to route wiring near a high heat source shield it with protective wire wrap and HVAC foil tape.
7) Secure it.

Whew that was a lot of typing, ok so hopefully this has been informative and helpfull, I know it's a lot to take in but you will get the hang of it easily enough.
Dive in head first.
Till next time...

Hey Brain. It looks like you will be into the wiring for a little while. Take some pictures of the progress. We can understand more from picture. But keep at it and good luck.

[Bomp]

Looking forward to the next few update

[gdavis]

Nice talking to you today. Remember post plenty of pictures. It helps us guys out. They are a learning aid for us. Good luck and will be watching your build.

[gdavis]

no update today??????????????

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by gdavis

no update today??????????????

The temperatures have been in the 50's reaching the low 60's mid afternoons so I haven't had much desire to be out working on the truck, I hope to get some work done on wednesday.

[knomadd]

I'd rather be working in the 50's than the 90's with the humidity we had here in the Houston area (not now, but earlier in the year). But that's me...

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by knomadd

I'd rather be working in the 50's than the 90's with the humidity we had here in the Houston area (not now, but earlier in the year). But that's me...

Oh I hear ya but unfortunately in Kansas we also get some straight line winds that can make 50 degrees feel like 40 and it's been steady at about 20+ mph lately.
Durring the winter work pretty much stops since it is outside so my build just got extended out another 6 months unless we get fortunate enough to have a smattering of nice days tossed in here and there where I can get some pretty significant work done and then I have to force myself to be motivated on the few days of good weather I do get so we shall see.

[knomadd]

OK, so that's different. Good luck with having good weather AND motivation.

[gdavis]

I understand about the weather. Here in Florida it is hot or it is hot. But today it was really nice around 75 by 1.00 a good day to work on the truck. But I have three fires I have to put out first. Maybe around the first I cn see some day light to work on the truck. My build should be ready to drive around April or May 2014. Good luck with your build and the weather.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Don't ya just hate it when you can't find the one thing you need to do an installation.
I went out early this afternoon when it warmed up to start installing the 20 circuit wiring harness and I can't find the Junction block I purchased for the job.
I checked my receipts and I purchased it but I can't find it....ugh.
I'm going to lose the light soon so I guess that's it for the day, it's supposed to be warmer tomorrow so I should be able to start earlier and I might accidentally get something done.
On the bright side I checked the fitment of the fan relay harness and it fits really well so I'm happy about that.

[gdavis]

did you find the harness block yet? I hope it didn't go to never never land.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
After watching the Chiefs beat the Browns - Go Chiefs! I continued work on the wiring.
I found the junction box in one of my LMC bags, apparently I overlooked it yesterday.
Here is my progress so far.

I ran the main +12v wire through the firewall.


I installed the junction box, relays for the fans, +12v for the HD headlight harness and the battery to fender ground.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I continued working on the wiring today, it's slow going.
I installed a weather resistant inline fuse holder for the fan harness and connected it to the junction box and connected the ground to the fender.
I bolted in the relays for the HD headlight harness and connected the ground for the LH side headlight to the core support.
I installed wire wrap on various wires.
For the fender ground connection I used a copper washer to ensure good conductivity and some di-electric grease to ensure the bare metal on the fender doesn't rust.
I just have a few more small things to do in the engine compartment before it's wrapped up, like finishing up wire wrap on various wires, securing the wiring, installing the horn and running the wiring for the horn, turn signals, parking lights and headlights to the fuse box.

[gdavis]

looks fine man can't wait till I am at that stage

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Wiring progress update.
I ran the wiring through the firewall for the headlights, front parking lights, front turn signals, horn, coolant temp and oil pressure.
Next up is the wiring for the rear of the truck.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Hey all;
Wiring progress update.
I ran the wiring through the firewall for the headlights, front parking lights, front turn signals, horn, coolant temp and oil pressure.
Next up is the wiring for the rear of the truck.

It's like when the monkey got his tail caught in the door. He said it want be long now. Keep up the good work.

[SeTx67]

You should make a trip to Texas and wire mine. I hate wiring in a bad bad way. Looks like you are making some good progress. Sorry I didn't have much time to talk today. I've been up since 4:30 with the wild maniac kids lol. I'll try to give you a call Monday, I have some questions regarding the cpp trans x-member anyway. I may just run the stock stall for now until I work out the bugs. As long as it won't be a huge pain to drop the trans and swap converters later that is

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by SeTx67

You should make a trip to Texas and wire mine. I hate wiring in a bad bad way. I have some questions regarding the cpp trans x-member anyway.

This is the first time I have taken on a complete custom automotive wiring instal so it's new to me, although since I'm pretty good at this sort of stuff I'm sure it will go fine and I imagine you will do fine with yours as well.
Call me anytime in the afternoon I will be around.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Wiring progress update.
Today I ran the wiring through the firewall for the brake lights, rear turn signals, rear side markers, reverse lights and license plate light.
I'm going very slowly to make sure I do this right so it may take awhile to finish.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Hey all;
Wiring progress update.
Today I ran the wiring through the firewall for the brake lights, rear turn signals, rear side markers, reverse lights and license plate light.
I'm going very slowly to make sure I do this right so it may take awhile to finish.

you will get there man. just keep it up. To bad about the weather shutting you down for the winter.

[gdavis]

Hey Brian
I found a bracket. The guy I bought the drive shaft from is giving it to me for the shipping cost. Now you want have to cut yours off in the cold.

[mcbassin]

You got questions about the 1971-72 GM Truck tilt column? I got answers!

Where did you buy repair parts for your tilt column? I need lower bearing/retainer,
backup/park neutral switch, fire wall boot and a few other parts I'm not sure of the names. I would like to find GM parts but I know that's slim to none. I already ordered a NOS turn signal switch from ebay. Any help,? thanks

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Where did you buy repair parts for your tilt column? I need lower bearing/retainer,
backup/park neutral switch, fire wall boot and a few other parts I'm not sure of the names. I would like to find GM parts but I know that's slim to none. I already ordered a NOS turn signal switch from ebay. Any help,? thanks

You can get quite a few of the parts from LMC on page 134 of their online catalog.
If you need a part they don't list take a picture of it and send it in a private message and I will do my best to help you find one.