Working on a '36 Ford coupe with a '38 column and drop.... I've got the Limeworks turn signal switch, which looks killer by the way. Question is, how can I run the wires so they don't stick out like a sore thumb??? The wires come wrapped in that ugly plastic tubing which looks like ***. I thought about making a piece of tubing to run under the column, but how would I attach it? I should mention the column is already painted and installed.... What have you guys done? Here's a pic if it helps....
Use a 3/8" Hard fuel line... flare the ends and use the stainless clamps to hold it on the column tube! Polish it or paint it!
Hard line would look clean or drill the column and slip the wires through and back out just under the dash.
Everyone has the right idea here with the 3/8 brake tubing. I think the best way to mount the tube is to drill holes from the bottom where they wont show in three places. Drill the first holes so a small screw driver fits into the top hole and smaller one within the first hole. This way you'll have no clamps showing just a tube running down the column. You'll drill and tap for small screw in the column, the only way you'll see the holes is from the bottom looking up on your back. CRUISER
Grab some 3/4" black shrink tube for wiring, comb the mess of wires straight, slide them in and shrink away. It's flat and it makes stuff dissapear, plus it's still flexible enough took route back under the dash.
Use the black braided hose available from all antique Ford parts stores. Not quite as high tech as the solid steel tube but definitely clean period looking. I use it to cover all my wiring. Comes in different sizes.
Run the wires down the inside of the column . You can cover them up but you and everyone else will know what you did to hid the . Just take your time and hide them inside the column housing ! Just my opinion . Retro Jim
Make something like this -^- polished stainless, 4 small screws or clips to the colum. Take about 2 mins on a bead roller.
NAPA has all different sizes of tar dipped cloth wire covering. It looks way better than that plastic stuff.
If you are using the plastic split loom everywhere else, look up "expand-o sleeve". It is the plastic braided mesh. There are some companies that add fire resistant stuff to it too. Harnesses come out looking really good with this stuff. Here is a link for example: http://www.cableorganizer.com/wire-management/ As far as the wiring on the column, I have been wondering this myself. I'll be looking at the mentioned options too.
I'm liking this idea.....only problem is cleanly fitting it over/around the column drop where it clamps around the column. Ideally they should be inside the column, but with the column locking sleeve there is almost zero room for wires. Keep the ideas coming...
With so many of you repeating fuel/brake line, am I the only one who knows that chrome water supply line is available in copper?
Copper would be easy to work with....but I don't think I want chrome. Maybe paint it black so it blends in. Thanks
If you use brake/fuel line use stainless. You could use stainless line clamps such as those from wwwkugeljomponents.com if you do not want to use stainless tie wraps. I have just had Limey Steve make me a custom column for my 1940 Willys Anti G***er build so I can use the stock steering wheel cut down to 16" diameter but I will be using a Yankee 960 add on turn signal unit, so this thread is very opportune for me and I will be watching the suggestions here....
I moved my switch down the column as close to the dash as i could. Then I ran the wires under the dash instead of up the column.
Mount it below the column drop where its kinda out of sight and paint it the same color as the column.
Why not make life easier on yourself and forget all the steel and copper. Aliminum line is the cheapest and easiest to work with. It can be polished or painted black to blend in. Inside the column looks the cleanest, but eventually it will rub against the moving shaft and wear through.
I think the whole idea of buying that particular switch was having it up where he "could" see it. I like the metal tubing idea or a guy might be able to bend up a cover that fastened to the bottom side of the column that the wires went in that ended up looking like part of the column. I think some rig in the 50's or 60's had that setup from the factory.
I keep some in stock for all three sizes. My cars look like the 50s-60s and not my streetrod days of the 80s. I liked the look then but my tastes have evolved. I don't want any parts to be hidden but I want them to look old like it was done back in the day and not a catalog piece that is easily identified as a streetrod store bought piece. Others won't care but I do care about the looks of everything that I bolt on the car.
I plan on using this adjustable column drop from Tri C Engineering - I want to get as far away as possible from the GM/Ididit tilt column look and yet still retain a tilt function on a traditional type column with original steering wheel. I guess I will have to notch the column drop hole to run a stainless tube through it befor bringging the wires up to the dash - does anyone have any other ideas for a totally clean and unobstusive look? I too worry about the movement of the steering shaft wearing the wires through if I run them inside the column (1 3/4" diameter), or is there room to run a tube inside the column with entry and exit holes for the wires where needed? [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
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