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Hi, is there anyone who have experience of wiring harnessing?
I get so frustrated over the price of harnesses... its just cable’s and connectors 🙄
Question is where is the best place to find the connectors? In my 69, there is some pretty odd ones.
Not exactly what you are asking but I decided NOT to do this on my 76 because of the specialized connections and the price of copper wire. And my lack of expertise. I did recently get the American Autowire kit and it was expensive. $1200 ish with the crimp tools. I’m guessing the bulk wire would cost me Hslf that and gave up on sourcing all the Specialized connectors. I’m sure bulk wire costs are far less but I’m only doing this once. I doubt I would have saved much in the end but I’m sure someone has.
I've done DIY and unless you are just replacing a small portion it's simply not worth doing it that way. It's not just the cost of the wire and connectors but the colors of the wires and marking. Kits have the correct gauges, separate wire colors and a neat, readable diagram for you or he next owner to diagnose problems. Many times the wire function is written on the wires, making diagnosis so much easier.
Depending on the complexity of your car, many can be wired using a generic kit, and some of these can be had by major manufacturers for less than $400.
You need to assess the viability of the existing harness to determine if you NEED to replace it (or not). If the insulation is not cracked/damaged and the wiring has not been "Bubba-fied" too much, you might be able to salvage most (if not all) of the original wiring. Give us some feedback on the "issues" you have identified with your wiring. Photos of the worst conditions would be helpful. Just throwing a grand or more at new wiring...just because it is new....may be a GOOD IDEA for only the vendor selling it to you.
This is what I used. Did the job nicely. My car is a resto mod so it was very easy to install as I used very little of the factory connectors and fittings, if your car is stock i'd definitely suggest repairing the old harness if it hasn't been hacked too badly.
Hi all, yes my car is stock, more or less untouched sins 1969
I would definitely first try to reuse the original connectors, if it comes to replace harnesses.
Before starting to dig into that I would like to know where to find spare connectors if necessary, I wouldn't like to start a project just to find it impossible to finish
.-Also I'm planing to upgrade the car with power windows.
I 'm looking for a possible cost reduction for that projekt.
-
I like a challenge
Last edited by Christofer; Oct 1, 2020 at 06:43 AM.
There is really no easy way to give you what connector using GM Delphi/Packard numbers you need. If you really want a challenge like you say you do, here are some GM part numbers for many connectors you have.
Some part numbers are for newer models (Like For My 77) most on the list are available.
Just to be clear, Delphi/Packard no longer makes these connectors but Aptiv does.
At the Mouser Site type in the text box area Part # / Keyword one of the GM numbers on the sheet below to use as a visual reference. MOUSER LINK:https://www.mouser.com/Connectors/Au...tors/_/N-1ehb5
If a visual is not found on the Mouser site do a internet search many will come up.
Also, if your going to replace any primary wiring, it is NOT just standard cable, automotive wire will be either GXL or SXL and in some cases TXL.
Good Luck!
Hi all, yes my car is stock, more or less untouched sins 1969
I would definitely first try to reuse the original connectors, if it comes to replace harnesses.
Before starting to dig into that I would like to know where to find spare connectors if necessary, I wouldn't like to start a project just to find it impossible to finish
.-Also I'm planing to upgrade the car with power windows.
I 'm looking for a possible cost reduction for that projekt.
Hi, is there anyone who have experience of wiring harnessing?
I get so frustrated over the price of harnesses... its just cable’s and connectors 🙄
Question is where is the best place to find the connectors? In my 69, there is some pretty odd ones.
I have a 69, I did a frame off resto. I purchased old wiring harnesses off ebay. My plan was to only use the special connectors i needed.
This was working as planned, then i thought about the fact that the wires were 50 years old......sold the old stuff i bought , as well as all of my cars 50 yo wiring and bought all brand new..
You can find complete harnesses on ebay for cheap, scavange the connectors you need then sell whats left on ebay?
You can find the common connectors easily enough but the more unusual ones are available only in huge quantities and the companies that buy them (making harnesses) will not sell them individually.
As mentioned you'll spend a LOT of money to get the necessary sizes and colors of wires. You'll also tire of making the crimp connections without the process equipment (VERY expensive) used by the harness makers. There are inexpensive tools that are good for a few connections (I solder them also) but you'll spend a LOT of time making connections that you can only pray will be as good as the real ones that use the proper equipment.
Beyond these things simply laying out a harness is far more involved than you imagine. Do a google image search for "wiring harness layout board" to see what I'm talking about.
I know that wiring harness prices give sticker shock but if yours are truly in need of replacement I suggest buying them pre-made.
FWIW: I had a 72 LS5 car that was pretty nice, ———EXCEPT— the PO had a small wiring fire, and tore out the original wiring and bought an internet universal harness (made, of course, with the assumption that it would be installed in a metal car.) well, at least it ran and had brake lights. What a multi-colored spaghetti mess. One new dash harness later, everything functioned, and the car doubled in value.
FWIW: I had a 72 LS5 car that was pretty nice, ———EXCEPT— the PO had a small wiring fire, and tore out the original wiring and bought an internet universal harness (made, of course, with the assumption that it would be installed in a metal car.) well, at least it ran and had brake lights. What a multi-colored spaghetti mess. One new dash harness later, everything functioned, and the car doubled in value.
I can't believe anyone would use a "universal" harness in our cars!
Fabbing a harness from scratch is to time consuming and expensive. I used a universal American Auto Wire on my car, pulled the special connectors I needed off the old harness. I would stay away from those cheap ebay cheap harnesses. I won't even use a painless wiring harness because the wires are THIN and the shielding is equally thin. 2 major obvious things can set your car on fire one is easy to smell thats gas and you don't do cheap or dumb with that. The other is electrical which you may not know is going to happen till she's burning..... I get it budget dictates.
Fabbing a harness from scratch is to time consuming and expensive. I used a universal American Auto Wire on my car, pulled the special connectors I needed off the old harness. I would stay away from those cheap ebay cheap harnesses. I won't even use a painless wiring harness because the wires are THIN and the shielding is equally thin. 2 major obvious things can set your car on fire one is easy to smell thats gas and you don't do cheap or dumb with that. The other is electrical which you may not know is going to happen till she's burning..... I get it budget dictates.
Do it your self - harness wiring
