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Gonna buy a wiring harnes, any suggestions ??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Toqwik, Jun 10, 2004.

  1. Toqwik
    Joined: Feb 1, 2003
    Posts: 1,311

    Toqwik
    Member

    Time for a harness, really wish I had access to a donor harness to keep the cost down, but everyone I have came across is either cut up, or wires are brittle. just need a basic one, probably going to use EZ, but can't find a phone number or web site for em. I am using a GM column with a sbc, do these usually come with the plugs for them, or are those purchased seperately? How about headlight switch?
     
  2. Slide
    Joined: May 11, 2004
    Posts: 3,021

    Slide
    Member

    EZ Wiring's site:

    http://www.ezwiring.com/

    I have used EZ on several cars, including my own, and I like them a lot. They are the best for the price, IMO. THey DO come with the GM column plug. I can't remember about headlight switch. I just remember that I got a new one (separate from the kit) that mounts in the dash, and had no issues. If I remember right, I think there is a provision in the kit for column-mounted h/l switches and dimmer switches.

    The caveat for EZ is their instructions look like my dog put them together. They are pretty weak, so it helps if you have a basic understanding of automotive wiring before you use one of their kits.

    If you have little experience with wiring, I highly recommend the Ron Francis kit. Though it is one of the most expensive, it is really that much better than the others. It comes with all-new switches, etc, but where it really shines is the ease of installation. I have mentioned before that it is literally attaching orange wire #57 to orange terminal #57. I find it's best if you don't question, "why is this wire here?", but just read the instructions and do what they say. If you start thinking, "no, this should go over there...", then you'll screw it up!

    BTW, I am NOT a fan of Painless or Haywire. Though they are very good quality, I can't justify their prices compared to EZ on the low and Ron Francis on the high. (The Painless kit and EZ are almost identical except the instructions.)

     
  3. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    I put an American Autowire Systems harness in my '57 wagon.
    Comes with a modern fuse block with the horn and signal relay in it. I was very, very happy with the kit.
    One huge help is that every wire is silk screened down it's entire lenth labeling what it is. "Headlights" "Tail Lights" "Fuel Gauge Sending Unit" etc. The instructions were excellent, and between that and the labeling, it's pretty hard to screw it up.
    Numbers:
    800-482-WIRE
    www.factoryfit.com
    -Brad
     
  4. hankcash
    Joined: Apr 18, 2002
    Posts: 2,653

    hankcash
    Member

    I have only heard good things about Painless....
    I plan on using one this summer on the shoebox.
    HC
     
  5. Upchuck
    Joined: Mar 19, 2004
    Posts: 1,576

    Upchuck
    Member
    from Canada BC

  6. Slide
    Joined: May 11, 2004
    Posts: 3,021

    Slide
    Member

    [ QUOTE ]
    I have only heard good things about Painless....
    I plan on using one this summer on the shoebox.
    HC

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Your money, man, but having used both, the Painless and EZ kits are nearly identical as far as the actual components go, but Painless costs twice as much.

    The minor differences:

    -Painless has stripes on their wires, EZ wires are all solid. Big whoop.
    -Painless includes speaker wires, but this hardly justifies doubling the price
    -Painless instructions are printed more professionally, but I don't think they are any easier to understand than EZ. (EZ's look like they were printed on the photocopier they threw out of the school library in 1981.)
    -EZ uses cheap-o flashers. Spend an extra $3 to get some decent ones at the parts store.
    -Both kits have the wires labeled every few inches, but I think EZ is easier to read. The ones on Painless look like those old dot-matrix printers from the 80's.
    -EZ doesn't SEEM to be as stingy with the length of the wire they include. Unless you are building a coupe or roadster, plan on lengthening a few Painless wires.

    2 more cents.

     
  7. dixiedog
    Joined: Mar 20, 2002
    Posts: 1,204

    dixiedog
    Member

    If you go with EZ Wire, like I did, then take the time to go over and verify that the wire out of the block matches the fuse name on the block. Mine DIDN'T and I am still pissed [​IMG]

    Oh well, just like a cheap ho - you get what you pay for
     
  8. HAYWIRE - has nice stuff - very nice quality wire, good diagrams, and lots of accessories

    make sure you get nice wire loom to run the different branches in - I really like the tard cotton stuff that looks factory. DO NOT USE THAT SPLIT PLASTIC CRAP
     
  9. Slide
    Joined: May 11, 2004
    Posts: 3,021

    Slide
    Member

    DD- did you call EZW? I have installed five of these things that I can remember, and never any problems other than the cheep flashers. I think they are in Fla. so they can probably get you straightened out pretty quick if you haven't gone too far with it.

    I think I remember you mentioning problems with your gauges and the instrument dimmer in that other thread. Are you sure you weren't confusing gauge power with gauge illumination power? Most cars are wired with power to the other gauges coming off the voltmeter.

     
  10. Slide
    Joined: May 11, 2004
    Posts: 3,021

    Slide
    Member

    Man, I just re-read this stuff I posted. I am starting to sound like the EZW fanboy/spamboy! I guess I was jus' tryin' to save some guys some $. Sorry for the quasi-spam. I don't work for EZW, nor do I know anybody who does. I just guess I see a good value in their stuff.

    Commence shutting up sequence...now...
     
  11. old beet
    Joined: Sep 25, 2002
    Posts: 5,750

    old beet
    Member

    E Z!!!!..............OLDBEET
     
  12. Fraz
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 1,818

    Fraz
    Member
    from Dixon, MO

    This is only remotely related. The nasty-painted Painless Wiring delivery is stuck here locally for a little bit. They brought it in on a flatbed, from what I could see (at night) looks like something let go in the driver's side rear axle area. Wheel was all floppy and things looked bent. They were driving it around today, think they got it fixed. Betcha the local bodyshop they took it to charged em a fortune.

    Anyway, I expect prices to go up accordingly. [​IMG]
     
  13. SKR8PN
    Joined: Nov 8, 2002
    Posts: 439

    SKR8PN
    Member

    One other nice thing about the Ron Francis kit: every wire has the circuit name,printed every eight inches the length of the wire. No need to remember which wire went where,or for a wiring diagram. [​IMG]
     
  14. A-Bomb
    Joined: Jan 19, 2003
    Posts: 309

    A-Bomb
    Member

    We used "Its a snap" in our A coupe. It works fine and has a nice small fusebox the you can fit anywhere. The directions are not real good though. The wires are G.M. colorcoded and printed so that helps. I see they have dropped the price to aroung 135.00 for the 12 circuit kit-not bad. It doesnt come with an ignition switch or headlight switch, but those are easily found. I will probably use this system again in our next project. Dale
     
  15. GreggAz
    Joined: Apr 3, 2001
    Posts: 929

    GreggAz
    Member

    we sell and install haywire... I love their stuff!

    I have also done a painless... I didnt like it as much,

    I cant stand the ron francis stuff.

    the guys at haywire are great to deal with, and will answer any questions you have.

    what are you wiring, and how much experience/ knowlege do you have with wiring?
     
  16. Upchuck
    Joined: Mar 19, 2004
    Posts: 1,576

    Upchuck
    Member
    from Canada BC

    [ QUOTE ]
    We used "Its a snap" in our A coupe. It works fine and has a nice small fusebox the you can fit anywhere. The directions are not real good though. The wires are G.M. colorcoded and printed so that helps. I see they have dropped the price to aroung 135.00 for the 12 circuit kit-not bad. It doesnt come with an ignition switch or headlight switch, but those are easily found. I will probably use this system again in our next project. Dale

    [/ QUOTE ]

    A-Bomb
    I been admiring them its a snap ones for quite awhile waiting to see if anyone has used them,

    are the wires long enough to do the lights on a truck?
     
  17. Fraz..is painles' delivery that Red 36 chevy delivery? If so, I saw it at BTT50's or Americruise....VERY NICE!
     
  18. Wowcars
    Joined: May 10, 2001
    Posts: 1,027

    Wowcars
    Member

    Do NOT bother with Ron Francis. They may be an okay kit (if you want the wires to come out of the panel all over). But their customer service is downright shitty. I called them when I was missing a small bag of wiring, the guy actually told me that I didn't know what I was doing! I've completley wired about 8 cars now. Should have a pretty good idea about it. I was even willing to pay for the missing bag! He just pissed me off, so I will NEVER buy from them again. Go with American Autowire or EZW.
     
  19. Fraz
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 1,818

    Fraz
    Member
    from Dixon, MO

    No, this one's got a freaky wild 80's paintjob. Starts yellow on bottom then goes and "fades" into an orange stripe then red, and the top part is black. Think it's a 32 Ford Delivery.
     
  20. bulletproof1
    Joined: Feb 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,079

    bulletproof1
    Member
    from tulsa okla

    i used EZ on my 53 customline and i couldnt be happier ,everything worked the first time.
     
  21. I used a Painless kit in my A and it was a piece of cake.
    First car I wired from scratch and I didn't have to change
    a thing.

    We put a Haywire kit in MarkX's car and it was just as easy as the Painless. Although the haywire lettering stamped
    on the wires was larger and easier to read.
    TZ
     
  22. A-Bomb
    Joined: Jan 19, 2003
    Posts: 309

    A-Bomb
    Member

    Yes, The wires to all the lights, horn are extra long. The only wires I thought were a little short were the ones to the dash mounted ignition switch from the fuse block. However, My switch is on the left side of the dash and my fise block is about in the center of the firewall near the top..I didnt have room to put the fuse box in the traditional place,the left drivers side, due to the Ansen hanging clutch,brake pedal set-up. I would call them about any concerns you have,they were very friendly to me over the phone. I had to have them clarify a couple things in the instructions. Dale
     
  23. dixiedog
    Joined: Mar 20, 2002
    Posts: 1,204

    dixiedog
    Member

    Had the same problem with the EZ Wire and had to add a wire for the my ingition switch.
     
  24. A-Bomb
    Joined: Jan 19, 2003
    Posts: 309

    A-Bomb
    Member

    here is a pic.."its a snap" [​IMG]
     

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