Wiring ?

My brother has a 58 f100 and is planning on rewiring the whole thing . He has ordered a 20 circuit wiring harness for it . My question is what is the best way to go about it should we rip all the exsisting wireing out and start fresh or work around the factory stuff?

 

start fresh

 

Remove all the stock wiring, including the dome lamp wire.

Never 'work around' original stuff...it's like combing spaghetti. New is ALL NEW. No 'new' problems...

 

I have used Painless and American Autowire stuff and the instructions are pretty good. Read them several times before you start and you should be OK. If you have questions they have tech hot lines that will help.

Twenty circuits is a lot for a truck unless you are loading it with accessories.

 

Start with one section at a time. Do under dash, then move to rear etc. Best to have a decent battery so you can check as you go along.

 

I go along with Aaggie's suggestion of reading the instructions several times and studying the wiring diagram with the new harness laid out on a big table or the floor. Know what each wire does and where it is supposed to go before you start installing the harness. If they aren't tagged to begin with tag them so you don't run into issues half way through the project.

I also agree with removing every old wire before you start putting in the new stuff.

 

Thanks a lot guys

 

Yes, pull it. But if you have an area that the old harness is hidden or blind, you might want to tie a string to it when you pull it out. Then when you go back in, just tie the new wiring to the string and pull it back in.

my 2¢

.bjb

 

As all have said- rip the whole thing out and start fresh.

 

Greatly appreciated .

 

One thing I have done (and am doing now), is the instructions say clip any unused wires at the back of the fuse block....I didn't do this,

I sealed and coiled any unused wires (for instance power windows, 3rd brake light, a/c etc) and hid them behind a kick panel for future use if myself or a future owner wants to add these things.

Make a note of this and any other changes you make, and keep with the instructions for future use,trouble shooting etc.

Painless suggests using a small amp batt charger rather than a battery to test when done

It looks tough when starting, but work one section at a time,one wire at a time, and don't get in a hurry.

I actually enjoy it once I get past my **** and get into it!!

 

Also, most brands of harness have online wire diagrams and instructions.

sometimes the ones from other manf are clearer for different accessories

Here's one link:

http://www.kwikwire.com/DocDownloads/Kwik Wire Instruction Book.pdf

 

I would recommend labeling any unique connectors on the old loom. It might eliminate some work by just soldering them on the new wire.

 

Believe it or not, I'm crazy enough to install a universal harness that was in the trunk of my 47 when I bought it. No instructions. And I'm still going to come out with a nice installation.
The modern harnesses built by the major companies are so well made, and so straightforward, that when you read, and re-read the instructions, you won't have any problems.
One thing I totally agree with the majority here is that you should remove all the old wiring first, as for the most part, it will be where you want to put the new wire.
It's really not as hard as it looks, and will be well worth the effort.

 

Agree with UPSPirate - a small low amp charger should be used to test the whole thing before you install the real battery. Might save an "oops"

 

I plan to tag things at the "far" end and then yank all my wires before putting in my new one, and also coiling and capping any extras onmy circuit for future accessory use.

One section at a time, crimp/solder everything and heat shrink tubing

 

That truck should be very simple to do.

 

I'm about to embark on wiring up my pickup. I'm using a cloth wrapped wire kit from Clean Wire? I think they are from the dreaded Hoffman Group. I didnt realize it until the flea bay auction ended. Oy! I hate wiring, DEEP forking HATRED! And this kit has instructions that look to be written by a retarded chimpanzee. But I have to get this done, so please pray for me. I stocked up the fridge with Coronas and lime, so if anyone wants to come over for a few frosties and help, or just to make fun of me as I surely fry my ***, feel free to pm me!

 

Don't know what harness you're using, but 20 circuits for a '58 pickup seems like way too many. You may suggest that he go with a smaller harness. Unless he's going with power windows/everything and a monster sound system a 9-12 circuit harness will give him everything he needs. Anything more will be a waste of time and money.

 

ONe great suggestion there.


I wouldn't worry too much about the 20 circuit thing. Most of those are a basic wiring harness and you have to add wiring for other than the standard and expected circuits. The spots for the fuses and or relays are there but most I have seen don't come with the extra wires attached.

 

Something I learned. When you are terminating a socket for an 1157 bulb, determine ahead of time which is the "bright" side of the socket.
My taillight, and front running light sockets had the same color wires for both sides of the socket, and learning which side was "bright" ahead of time helped get the turn signals done.

 

Start fresh is my opinion also. You never know what old wiring is damaged or corroded inside the sheathing. When I need wire pulled through a blind spot, Sometimes I use the shop vac and **** a string through the area and then use the string to pull the wire. I found this trick when I was hiding wires inside motorcycle handlebars and frames. Much better than trying to fish a wire through the area.

 

I always tie a knot in the "bright" side. Even install it on the car that way. Then you can tell at a glance which is which.

.bjb

 

My 20 circuit universal harness came with all the circuits wired. I would have been better off buying a harness that was made for the specific car with only the circuits I need, but this one was in the trunk when I bought the car, and I'm cheap!
I've ended up with a lot of wire I won't need under the dash, and I could always clip all the circuits I'm not using.
But what about someone who might come behind me, and want power windows, or cruise, or whatever. So, I'm rolling up my extra and cable tying it up under the dash.
Add to that, I've got turn signal wiring, that didn't come with my car, and third brake, so it's working out.
Don't be afraid! As you go, it will begin to make more sense, and your logic will take over.

 

Cool idea!!!

 

Agree....read the instructions several times, as well as reading them as you proceed. Also agree....remove all the original stuff first.

4TTRUK

 

I would come right over as I love to wire but the trip is a bit long for me. Being from Washington state.