Painless wiring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 697
I've used a number Painless "universal" kits over the years. I haven't used a car specific kit. The universal kits instruction are quite old. Not saying bad just very old school. They include a bunch of blue crimp connectors that look very "Bubba". I toss them. I use heat shrink crimp terminals. Their tech support is very good. After installation they all worked well. No issues. If you go universal save all the end connectors from your old harness to use as needed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
So what do they use for routing the wires to all different stuff tell you how to do it. Ya did some wiring on my cousins boat i used shrink wrap.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 10, 2020 at 10:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 697
Sounds like you going with a universal kit. The best thing you need is a original wiring diagram to work with the Painless kit. Painless does not recommend soldering. They recommend crimp connectors, I just don't like the cheap looking crimp connectors they supply. I lay out the harness and get the ends close to there termination points. Then trim the wires to length but leaving them a bit long. Then as I'm making the final terminations I make the final cut to length. Lots of wire ties to hold the harness together. I route them some what like stock. But if possible hide them if possible. I also like the braided wire cover not the plastic convolted stuff.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Far as i know original 6 volt wire is more heavy duty stuff then 12 volt, thing has a postive ground and the pickup original down to the generator. So to do this im going to get a 12 volt coil with a resistor in it, get a starter thats rewired for 12 volt, then put an altenator on it, ill replace the turn signal mounted up on the steering colum and will put original style led tail lights on it. Then the original gauges not going to use them or convert them to 12 volt or use any resisters to bring the 12 volts down to 6 volt for those instrument. Going to do aftermarket gauges in it. Have decided to for the most part keep it orginal. I can buy everything from original wiring stuff made for the pickup to made for the pickup 12 volt. Not sure which way to go on wiring. My father who worked on a lot of aircraft from the air force, to boeing and hughs aircraft told me in the service you did not do any soldering was a no no, something about heat desolving the solder. He worked on guided missle system at general dynamics after that. So when he talked i listened. I considered doing sbc and an auto but just cant do it. Has 4.57 rear and the granny low 7.05. Ya ill be using that a lot. Lol
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 11, 2020 at 11:47 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 283
From: New York
Not a fan of painless stuff spend a couple dollars more and go American auto wire, waaaay better quality, support, and directions. The shielding alone is noticable from 2ft away
Not saying it won't work just saying unless its my only choice it will never be in my car again
Not saying it won't work just saying unless its my only choice it will never be in my car again
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Other then changing to better aftermarket gauges that are in an original type cluster made for the pickup. This pickup wont have anything added to it other then its luxury of a heater and defoster. Before to long a time it will be out of hot humid texas and in san diego area. So maybe from american auto wire i just need to call them for whats made up for the pickup just to go to 12 volt with a bit of Led stuff included. There are three different wheel bases on these trucks my 3/4 ton is 9 inch more wheelbase then the half ton.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 12, 2020 at 08:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Cant get a more less complex truck to do it on. Back in 55 folks were happy to have a good working heater on a pickup. Not like I'm going to rewire a modern pickup. Probably should while I'm doing this get rid of the vacuum wipers even though a 1980 WA kenworth truck I kept for 17 years had vacuum wipers. Was not till the 1983 B KW model came out that they switched over to electric wipers. The 1980 even had a 1 inch thick marine plywood floor in it under the seats and part way up the firewall.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jun 14, 2020 at 08:01 PM.