Need advice on cost of wiring entire '68 SWB truck

[bamafrost]

Any idea what a competent electrical guy would charge to install a universal kit on a '68 C10 with minimal add-ons, no elect door poppers, no power window/locks.

I have smoothed the firewall and removed the stock plug in favor of a billet pass-through.

Already have the EZ Wire kit and was quoted $1200 by a good local shop that charges $30 hr. (a normal hourly rates in these parts) here in the South.

Is 40 hours...a full week really realistic?
He would do a great job I am sure (soldering each connection) and he is pretty meticulous...I was just shocked at how much things had gone up.
Still, I don't want to skimp and have my project burn to the ground.

I know, most will say "do it yourself"...but, I have limitations physically due to a disability so that just wouldn't make that a viable option. Need some sage advice if it's really a full week project I guess.

Thanks in advance.

[bamafrost]

Thanks for all the input.

[my67chevytruck]

Most shops quote 40 hours for wiring harness install....

[Musclerodz]

not an unrealistic number considering the amount of work to install a universal harness

[Psycho71]

Yep, it's a fairly time consuming project. I used an EZ on my truck when I had it torn down. Couldn't give you a definite time frame. But it took me a good amount of time. And I had mine down to the frame, so things were a little easier to access. Also, just about everything in my truck was aftermarket, making connections much more simple (I guess). I'd imagine doing one on an assembled truck would make it a might tougher.

[crushermechanic]

i built my own harness from scratch. it took me less than 20 hours and i have about 75 bucks in it. i cant see 40 hours to install a premade harness in one of these trucks. thy just arent that complicated.

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by crushermechanic

i built my own harness from scratch. it took me less than 20 hours and i have about 75 bucks in it. i cant see 40 hours to install a premade harness in one of these trucks. thy just arent that complicated.

you replaced every connection, connector, and last inch of wire in the entire truck in 20 hours? doubt it. And he does not have a premade harness, he has a universal EZ harness

[raycow]

If you are going to pay someone else to install a harness, get a factory fit type instead of a universal. You will pay more for the harness, but you will save overall because of less $ for the labor.

Ray

[crushermechanic]

i replaced everything. i did away with all the factory wiring. soldered every connection and terminal end. i also added a relay set up for my headlights. i did avionics installs whin i worked as an a&p mechanic. i know what i am doing and how to do it right.

[bamafrost]

Thanks for all the helpful input. Guess I'll have to learn a new skill 'cause $1200 isn't in my ballpark even though it is time consuming. Time is the one thing I do have as I am retired. I'll just fire up the heater in the garage I guess and start readin' and runnin'.

How hard can it be after all?

I can hear you guys laughing, you know. hahaha

Thanks.

[my67chevytruck]

its not hard, but you need to sink some thought into, make notes, and have it all installed on paper 1st (sketched etc.) then actually wire the truck. atleast, thats the way i did it......

[jimmydean]

I helped a buddy do a universal Painless kit in his Bronco and we did it over a weeend. Maybe 20 hours total when it was all said and done. I hope to do a harness in my truck before I get too deep and I know I can do it myself with a model specific kit in under a day. Maybe a long day, but no more than 14 hours.

I used to do show stereos and running 800' (feet) of monster cable speaker wire in a 1990's full sized truck is a lot harder than replacing a stock harness.

Take your time, do it in sections, and use a kit made for your truck. It's not as bad as it seems.

[Indian113]

I bought a generic harness for my 64,12 circuit it didn't have any connectors. I cut a soldered my plugs on it. I kept a journal of what wire went where and checked every ciruit with a 2amp battery charger. Took me about 2 days to do mine.

[kpeztruck]

Originally Posted by crushermechanic

i built my own harness from scratch. it took me less than 20 hours and i have about 75 bucks in it. i cant see 40 hours to install a premade harness in one of these trucks. thy just arent that complicated.

For an experienced individual, you are probably correct about time required to
install the harness. But these shops quote for the time it should take, especially if they are only charging 30.00 per hour. Here in the Atlanta area, I work at a dealership, and almost make that much working for someone else. The going rate in this area is 60.00+ per hour, but will be more accurate to actual time spent on the job. 1200.00 is not a bad price if the job is done professionally, and in a very clean manner. Just depends on what you want. By the way, that labor rate is for a local chassis shop that I do work for in the evenings. Paul Baxter

[1970 CST STEP]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

I helped a buddy do a universal Painless kit in his Bronco and we did it over a weeend. Maybe 20 hours total when it was all said and done. I hope to do a harness in my truck before I get too deep and I know I can do it myself with a model specific kit in under a day. Maybe a long day, but no more than 14 hours.

I used to do show stereos and running 800' (feet) of monster cable speaker wire in a 1990's full sized truck is a lot harder than replacing a stock harness.

Take your time, do it in sections, and use a kit made for your truck. It's not as bad as it seems.

installed a painless in my 71 and that is exactly what it was PAINLESS!!!

[406 Q-ship]

I would think the shop gave you a high time on the hours, now I don't believe they are trying to screw you. Every wiring job is different, on a show vehicle with A/C, Cruise Control, tuner.....et al will take a ton more time than a vehicle that just needs basic lights and to run the engine. How assembled is the truck, all the interior in it, well that takes time to remove and replace carefully without scratches and rips. You can do a simple wiring job that on a daily driver alot faster than one on a SEMA show truck. You get what you pay for.