NEED HELP: Bought wiring harness or homemade wiring????

I am starting to look into getting my Coupe wired up real soon. My buddy says, not to buy the company wiring kits...and just get a universal fuse block and buy wires. What do you guys think about this? My thing is..if I get lets say the Speedway wiring kit...it'll have EVERYTHING needed available. Yeah, maybe it may be cheaper to go homemade. I'm not really concerned with what is "cheaper!" I want the least problematic option. I think I've already made up my mind, to go with a company kit. Just want to hear opinions on the subject matter. Thanks in advance!

FYI: This wiring will be going into a 47 Ply Coupe..upgrading to 12volts and running Chevy driveline. I will only be running basic stuff. At best, I'd like to install an aftermarket radio, gauges, lights, kill switch, horn, flame thrower kit. I may also add an electric fan.

 

IMO with how cheap kits are these days that's the only way to go.
Look up 'rebel wire' on here,excellent kits and easy to install.
Bob

 

I used the speedway kit, and burnt it up (not the products fault) Replaced it with a Rebelwire kit from here, and was impressed how much nicer of a kit it was for less money. The wires are heavy duty, and it was a breeze to install.

You can skimp here, but i wouldnt. Probably going to order the 14 circuit kit for my project this week matter of fact!

 

I've done it both ways. It can be daunting if it's not your thing. Next time I'll use another basic kit from a reputable supplier. Less stress....

And now ya can get kits with the cloth covered wire look....

 

It depends on what you feel comfortable with.

I'll bet you Ron Fransis felt comfortable building his own harnesses and now he probably lives in a bigger house than you & I do , drives nicer stuff and all that .

See where I'm going with that ?

 

No I don't 31Vicky.......Ron Francis makes great stuff! If you have never wired a car his stuff and his tech guys will keep you from burning the place down! I think your inuendoes are miss placed. You have no idea how many cars I have "fixed" just because the wiring was way out there.

Bottom line, if you know automotive wiring build your own, much cheaper. If you have no idea how to wire an alternator into an original generator car I strongly suggest you invest in an up scale kit.

 

Thank you all for your comments. As I've said in the original post..I'm leaning towards getting a kit! I've never heard of RebelWire. I will DEFINITELY check them out, as I finish writing this!! I just wanted to get different opinions b4 i make the final decision. The thought of doing it myself, seems like a nightmare waiting to happen. Not to mention, I have no patience for that stuff! My buddy, did his wiring on his truck. Still..I like the thought of having ease of mind, knowing a got a complete kit with everything I may need and possibly more!

 

For years I did my wiring from scratch because I worked in the marine industry and could buy quality Ancor wire and components at employee cost. But when the kits came out I realized I couldn't buy the parts as cheap as I could get a complete kit for. So the last 3 cars have had kits and the next ones will too.

Price out all the wire and other parts you will need and add them up. It doesn't take long to surpass what the kit makers charge for their products, especially one like Rebel, who sells a quality kit at a great price.

Even if you use a kit you are still going to have to source some parts, like relays, terminal ends, butt connectors, wire clamps, wire ties, etc. But at least the basic components are all there.

Don

 

Just got my Rebel Kit from Tugmaster on Saturday and it looks great.

 

Yep, rebel wire 9+3 kit. You can get headlight plugs and bulb sockets and pigtails for cheap at any auto parts store. Couple hundred bucks and your set.
The headache of building a harness and chancing fire in your car is way more than the price of a rebel kit.
Get a 9+3 kit. You will be satisfied

 

Like 31 Vicky with a hemi said, it all depends on what you're comfortable with. Buying a kit will probably be easier unless you've cot a couple of milk crates full of wire, fuse blocks, etc. like I have under the workbench. I've never used a kit, but then again I built an electric motor with copper wire and a few nails when I was in the third grade. Like this:

http://bizarrelabs.com/motor2.htm

Ford blue blood, I don't think 31 Vicky was slamming Ron Francis at all, merely saying that Ron was comfortable with automotive wiring, knew that a LOT of people were not, so decided to take the plunge and start building wiring kits for those that wanted to buy a kit. He took the risk, it paid off, and now he lives in a big house with nice cars in the shed.

 

By the time you tally up all beer and asprin you'll need just to finish a home made kit you'ld be better off buying a harness.

I'm getting ready to mail off for a 9+3 kit also,I heard nothing great stuff about Rebel kits!

 

Even if....you knew how to wire a car, you can't beat some of the kits out there, I like American Autowire, in my opinion, they're the best. To each his own.

 

I've used EZ wire in my last 4 builds, it was all I could afford years ago and now the reason I use them is because I am comfortable using them, no other reason. I have never had a problem with them. Rebel wire is about the same price and I have always heard good things about them.

 

I always suggest the EZ Wire kits because we've used several with good luck. But there is a vendor here for Rebel Wire and apparently it's also good. I'd stick with a HAMB member knowing this.
We've started from scratch years ago. It is not an easy or fun job. Finding enough different colors is a big problem where we live. These modern universal kits are easy and the wires are marked every few inches. Anyone who can read and follow simple directions can do it. Finish one circuit at a time without the battery hooked up, then check it.

 

I've used two American Autowire kits, but have heard great things about Rebelwire, too...
Besides the wire, you also get the terminals, bulkhead fittings to go through the firewall, dash light sockets and the little crimp-on terminals that go inside that touch the bulb... plus instructions, and even more importantly, at least with the American Autowire kits, they silkscreen the wire's function the whole way down the wire, so when you get to the back of the car or through the firewall, you just read "Left brake light," "left rear turn signal," etc. on the wire.

-Brad

 

for 200 bones shipped to my door, all the wires in place, and all wires marked every 6 inches.... was a no brainer to get a rebel wire setup instead of making my own

 

You may say I am biased because I sell Rebel Wire kits, but I have wired cars both ways-with a kit and from scratch. Using a kit is much easier. All the wires are there, color coded for the function and Rebel kits have the wires function printed on the insulation. I will never wire one from scratch again. Kits are relatively inexpensive and the end result is much neater and professional looking. PM me if I can help you out, even if you just want some advice.

 

If you are wiring a COE where wires go everywhere and at crazy lengths, then do it from scratch. But for a normal hotrod, buy a kit.

 

Tug master, already inboxed me. I think I'm going with the RebelWire. He's in CT too! I could drive there. Gotta support the local businesses!!

 

Another vote for Rebel Wire, we've been using them for the last 3 years in the shop and been happy. Their 9+3 kits nice for basic cars but you want to add a couple circuts like a fan, better then the bigger kits where you have a bunch of circuts you don't need.

 

Electricity is the DEVIL. But... I wired my T Bucket myself. I learned about how things work and got some satisfaction from doing it myself. I learned how important grounds are and tested my patience. The cost was only a little cheaper than a kit, so I didn't really save a whole lot.

Now for the bad..... you knew it was coming, I sorta wired something wrong when doing the ignition and started a little fire. Not big, but scarey for a first timer. Melted about a foot of wire and scorched the carpet a little. After I changed my underwear and pants, I was good to go.

If I was to do another car, I'd by a kit. You'll still be wiring it yourself and you won't have to work with an eye on your fire extinguisher.

 

Rebel Wire, have used them twice and will again and again. Quality and great service and a great price.

 

My 32 roadster has been on the road since the 70's. The wiring was a homemade harness. It worked great ... but a engine fire March 27,2012 ... killed it. I bought a American AutoWire kit for the roadster ... this time around. I also have a American Autowire that I installed in my 32 3W. Everything is color coded and marked SO ... it is easy to install.



You get ignition switch, headlight switch, dimmer and relays ...
EVERYTHING you need.

.

 

Thanks Ebb speed, you are exactly right. I didn't think there was a sneaky innuendo or a knock against anyone in my post.

 

Whoa! I checked this product. While it looks totally legit, their prices, are just too much for my wallet. I know, you don't want to skimp on safety and reliability. Those price tags would really hurt my pocket...as well as, my wife's purse!! I do have to check to see what's included...and how much of "everything" is included with rebel wire!

 

Do your own, that way you will learn something besides how to read wire labels. You will not save money but knowledge is priceless!

 

this is not an official wiring thread until the37kid posts his wisdom.

 

I have been building pre 48 hot rods for nearly 35 years and have made up a number of wiring harness with parts from various cars and aftermarket suppliers.

I've used Ron Francis kits & a few others.

The last 8 cars we wired we used the American Autowire kits,,everything is included,,you don't have to buy anything else,,nothing!

It ain't cheap,it's high quality and I believe my 12 year old grandson could follow the clear and easy to follow direction sheets. HRP

 

Rebel kits are great if only for the wire. I generally use the Enos Black Box and whatever wire is readily available. My last job was two years ago and another vendor recommended the wire supplied in the Rebel kits, I looked and the price was reasonable, HAMB Alliance discount, iirc. I was happy with it but I still used the Enos box.