So the wiring on the truck is just trashed under the dash. I've seen rat's nests that were in better shape. So the wife took a peek and said "replace it all. I am not riding in that fire trap." Completely understandable.... once I saw it I pulled the battery cable if htat tell you anything.
So, the real question becomes: since it's a 78, and all the wiring is E36 M3 I need a complete harness that will reach the lights etc. I'm not inept when it comes to wiring, but it's not my forte. I can find my way around a soldering iron OK. But would it behoove me to just pony up the extra cash for the Painless that is complete, with all the subharnesses for lighting etc, or go with the universal harnesses and fabricate as needed?
This is an almost $350 difference, but as I understand the painless is all new connectors where the universal I have to use my old or buy new.
In reply to Bobzilla:
Time vs. money - your choice. Doing wiring doesn't bother me at all, but if I could swing an extra $350 for plug-n-play you bet I'd do it.
Painless plug and play are not exactly such. I can walk you through all your options if you want me to.
You will pay something for good automotive wire in spools of atleast 3 different gauges... quality weatherproof connectors, sheathing, shrink tubing, and then all the time/planning and labor to make it a pro looking job.
$350 seems much more reasonable when you consider it that way unless you enjoy the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Which... for some things I actually do. For a '78 Ford/Chevy PU or similar utilitarian device? I think I just git 'er done ASAP and off-the-shelf.
Dusterbd13 wrote:
Painless plug and play are not exactly such. I can walk you through all your options if you want me to.
Well duh. Of course I do.
Don't companies like Year One or other restoration specialty companies sell complete wire harnesses?
Not the cheapest option by any means but probably the simplest.
In reply to Bobzilla:
I have no idea how to type out that thorough of an education. If you would like give me a call after 4 or so today 828-260-1254 and I will give you a brain dump that will make your head hurt. But at the end of it you will be a very well informed consumer with a clear-cut plan of what to do.
I am looking at these two kits:
easy button
and
not so easy button
I would go with the American Auto wire for a long list of reasons. Do not expected to be a complete drop it with your currently installed equipment.
After dealing with several connectors of the same age i would go with whatever comes with new connectors if price isnt an issue
Dusterbd13 wrote:
I would go with the American Auto wire for a long list of reasons. Do not expected to be a complete drop it with your currently installed equipment.
There is no installed equipment at this time! seriously... the only thing in the truck right now are the wipers, lights, blower and gauges.There's no AC, the radio was hacked in and is pulled out. Manual windows and locks etc.
D2W
Reader
4/7/17 6:14 p.m.
complete harness for the win.
BFN wire harness here at LMC
Hal
UltraDork
4/7/17 7:24 p.m.
Second LMC. Used one of their harnesses to rewire my nephew's old Chevy truck. The one he got was definitely plug and play.
Looks like the LMC harness may be made by AAW. So I just ordered the complete AAW and called it a day. Wife's suggestion: "It's already hacked up, it's 40 years old, just get it all done the first time so you don't burn the house down." Sold.
