I have a "rebel" wiring harnass that I am about to install in my friends truck. In looking at the existing, it is pretty much trashed. Brake lites don't work, headlights, wipers, gauges (temp works) horns... The truck appears to have the stock engine however, it does have a Holly carb with an eletric choke that I don't think works. (very hard start). Given the age, the truck has had several paint jobs. All of the wires under the hood are several coats of black with the exception of the red battery positive. Under the dash they are all painted blue. A very pretty blue but, all blue nontheless. All feel pretty brittle. I have no doubt that there are some HAMB'rs that have done this before so, any tips or tricks will be awsome. I have access to a full drive on lift but, only for a VERY small window so I can use the lift during a weekend. I am hoping that I could complete the wiring in less then 48 hours.
I am also contemplating on doing this to my 60f100 aswell. It should only take atleast 2 days at the most. You really wouldnt need a lift to do this.
I've just completed installing new brake lines on my 60 (Ive been all over the underside of this truck) and the only wires running in the frame rail are the taillights. Mine have been replaced by a previous owner but they left the original wiring harness in place which also connected to the licence plate light. I would leave about 2 full days open for this job. I re-wired a 48 chevy a couple years back and what worked best for me was to stretch the entire harness out beside the car and use zip ties or bread ties to section off groups of wires that are going in the same direction which made for a much easier installation after the fuse box has been installed. Good Luck
Thanks for the tips. This weekend I will lay all the wires out and zip tie/label them like you suggested and then next weekend (3 day weekend) go ahead and rin everything. I will try to take as many pictures as I can.
Southdiver1, Yes!!! Please take as many pics as possible. Are you converting to alternator or keeping generator? Also are you keeping all original warning lights?
Step one, read the instrctions. Step two, dont start the job untill you understand step one. Do one part at a time, its not that hard.
If you are working with a new color coded and/or labeled wire harness, it shouldn't be that hard at all. Be careful not to run wires over sharp edges or next to anything that may snag or melt the wires and always leave yourself "slack" at both ends (fuse panel & connecting point) just in case you need do work in these areas in the future, it will make life easier for you..plus wires that are too tight can "Tug" when driving over bumps and dips in the road. Good luck man!
For now, the dream is to keep it as stock as possible including the lights and the generator. Someone swapped in a pair of modern buckets but, a bench will go back in eventually.
I read the instructions the other night and while they are a fantastic guide for the color matching, I still trust the people that have actually done this before for helpful hints.
The Jalopy Journal
