Ok Ford fam. I am going to be rewiring the 55 and would like some feedback on kits. I cannot afford the factory wiring harness (all pieces would be around $500 or more) and am looking for alternatives. These are the ones I have seen. RebelWires = Hamb member Painless Wiring What else is out there and your experience with them. Were they easy to install? Pretty straight forward? What did they come with? Plans are just basic engine swap (302), AOD, eventually aftermarket AC, of course sound system.
There has been so much praise for Rebel Wire here and on other sites that I cannot see any reason to buy elsewhere when you can have a 100% USA made kit for under $200 or less and be able to give Glenn(aka glenn33) a call when needed for help and get good ol' fashioned customer service!
Yeah that's what I was thinking Jeff. Just wanted to make sure I heard all options and feedback from the fam here.
I used a Its-A Snap kit inmy 54 and I'm very happy with it. It has a mini fuse box and uses the mini fuses.
I used a 18 circuit universal wiring kit from Painless on my '55 Ranch and could not be more happy with it. The 18 circuit kit includes all the 'normal' wiring plus wiring for power windows, power locks, backup lights, electric fuel pump and some others that I can't recall at the moment. The only problem I had was matching up the stock turn signal switch wiring with the newcolor code, but once figured out it was no problem. They also have a 12 circuit universal wiring kit without the 'extras'. I also really like the Painless Power Braid for wrapping the wires. It's a mesh type of wire wrap, unlike that cheap looking corrugated stuff you get at the swap meet. I have not tried any of the others so I can't compare. Whichever Brand you decide on, take your time and check the circuits as you go along. Don't connect your system to your car battery until you are sure each circuit is connected correctly. I used a small battery witha very low amp fuse while checking with a volt/ohm meter. Good Luck...
Drag***, what all did the kit come with? Did it come with connectors, grommets? Yblock. I have looked at the Painless but from what I saw most of their kits are running around $400+. I would rather go with Rebel and support a Hamb member but am also curious how it compares to other kits.
I built a kit car that came with an American Autowire harness. From what I have seen there aren't too many differences between manufacturers. Talk to them and make sure that they include the same pieces (connectors and terminals, fuses etc.). I made the mistake of cutting my harness to length before I was finished, and I had to undo stuff a few times because I decided to change the routing. So don't do that, lay it all out and decide on a routing for the wires, then start connecting stuff. It seems daunting, but take your time and it'll go ok.
Went with Rebel for my 54. Easy to work with and great customer service. No connectors or grommets, but it sure was easy to figure out.
Highly recommend the rebel wire kit also. The support is 2nd to NONE and the kit was easy to install, very nice. I put the 20 circuit kit in my 56 and had a lot of questions and they answered them all.
I did the Ron Francis Express kit and it was very, very easy to install. Works perfect. I know that the kits are expensive compared to other kits but I think well worth the price. I have used their kits in all four of my cars without any problems.
The Jalopy Journal
