Replacing factory wiring at this point?

[jkade]

How hard would it be to replace the factory wiring on a truck that is already done? The reason I want to upgrade is because I am adding a after market efi, fuel pump, electric fans, air ride, and it has a fairly complex audio system. I know I will have to pull the dash apart and I am going to be pulling the motor and trans and possibly taking the front clip off. Can I just add a seperate mini fuse block to run all this and keep the factory fuse block for what it contols now? Thanks in advance

[nandress]

I would guess it won't be easy, but it should be do able.

I think your hardest part will be the stuff in the cab, like the stereo system, but that is the stuff that stereo shops do every day, so if it intimidates you have someone else handle it.

The stuff under the hood can mostly be done from the firewall forward with existing wires, so you can probably handle it. Stuff like fuel pump relays, fan relays, etc. all need a direct line to the battery and usually have their own fuse needs so you can break those part out and not even have to worry about what exists. The good thing about relays is that your existing wires from switches and stuff can usually be used for the on/off control of the relay.

BUT, if you don't like odd splices, wiring that will sometimes look jury-rigged, or an abundance of new holes in just the wrong places, then you will have your work cut out for you! So good luck!

[neonlarry]

With all that equip. going in I would chech out the 'electrical tech' section on this site:
http://www.madelectrical.com/index.shtml

[jkade]

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Would I need something like that to run each different accessory and use a relay with each one also?

[nandress]

Originally Posted by jkade

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Would I need something like that to run each different accessory and use a relay with each one also?

You could. Each accessory that needs a relay, and some need more than one, will have to have a separate relay. For instance, if you have two electric fans (very common) you would have two seperate relays so that the two fans would turn on at different times. Usually the relay wiring kits that come with various stuff include in line fuse holders, but there is no reason you couldn't use a simple fuse block like that to keep all the fuses in one place out of the way...makes it neater. With something like that one, you need to keep it out of the weather as best as possible, so you would just have to plan.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by jkade

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Would I need something like that to run each different accessory and use a relay with each one also?

I followed your link to Summit Racing. That add-on fuse block is on my short list of things to buy.

My mutt truck came with very few options. I have since added many. I have added a tach in the dash, a quartz clock in the dash, a fuel gauge for my extra tank, a trans temp gauge, driving lights, and re-wired the toggle for the back-up lights. Oh and a digital radio that has one wire to the constant + and one to the on with ignition +. All these things are attached to the couple of extra spots on the factory fuse block. The jumble of wires, though marked and as neat as I can make them, are a bit of a mess under there.

My goal is to add this block or a similar one then clean stuff up under there.

I haven't seen the product or its descructions but I'm guessing you'll hook up a 10 or 12 gauge wire from the battery to the relay that plugs into the new fuse block. It says 3 constant hot and 4 hot when ignition is on fused circuits. The only other relay you would need is if you have something like a set of driving lights. You would have a wire from one of the hot when ignition fuses to the switch. Then the switch to another relay. That relay would supply current to the lights right from the battery.

I hope this helps.

[72armyswbtruck]

Why not go with a hole new wiring kit from somone like simplewiring or something similiar, they make ones that have up to 18 places to plug in all the accessories and it's a pretty straight forward job just d one wire or system at a time. All the wiring is marked with what goes to what. Also do you have the color version of the wiring diagram for these trucks, if not I have one that I can email you, just pm me.

[jkade]

I would think adding a seperate fuse block would be easier for me to figure out also. Do I need the one that has 7 that are ignition controlled or 3 hot and 4 ignition? I was planning on mounting this on the fender or firewall and making a aluminum (is that how you spell that?) cover to go over it. This thing doesn't get drove in the rain much. What would I use the ones that are hot all the time for? This maybe a really dumb question also, if so excuse my ignorance.

[nandress]

Originally Posted by jkade

I would think adding a seperate fuse block would be easier for me to figure out also. Do I need the one that has 7 that are ignition controlled or 3 hot and 4 ignition? I was planning on mounting this on the fender or firewall and making a aluminum (is that how you spell that?) cover to go over it. This thing doesn't get drove in the rain much. What would I use the ones that are hot all the time for? This maybe a really dumb question also, if so excuse my ignorance.

Well, make list of all the things that you might need to connect to it. Then when you are doing that, find out which things need constant power and which need only ignition on power. (I would guess electric fans you would want hot all the time, but others may disagree.) Also, consider if something has ignition on power if you might want to have it constant hot instead (with the obvious dead battery ramifications if you do). Add them up and that's what you need. But don't forget you want each relay you need to have its own circuit. That's not to say that you couldn't have a single fuse covering a few low draw items if a relay is not involved. In covering it up, you need to be aware of the worse case situations, not necessarily that you will see them very often. The last thing you want is an inadvertant short the one time you drive in the rain!

And yes, aluminum is spelled correctly!!

[jkade]

Originally Posted by nandress

Well, make list of all the things that you might need to connect to it. Then when you are doing that, find out which things need constant power and which need only ignition on power. (I would guess electric fans you would want hot all the time, but others may disagree.) Also, consider if something has ignition on power if you might want to have it constant hot instead (with the obvious dead battery ramifications if you do). Add them up and that's what you need. But don't forget you want each relay you need to have its own circuit. That's not to say that you couldn't have a single fuse covering a few low draw items if a relay is not involved. In covering it up, you need to be aware of the worse case situations, not necessarily that you will see them very often. The last thing you want is an inadvertant short the one time you drive in the rain!

And yes, aluminum is spelled correctly!!

Sounds good to me and thanks for the help.