Fuse panel & wiring harness kits - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 09-28-2018, 10:45 PM

Due to a water leak over much of its life, my 82 C10's fuse panel has lots of corroded, and even rusty fuse sockets -- not from getting wet, but from just sitting above the moisture on the floor. Seems like every few months I have to pull a fuse and use a burnishing tool to clean up the fuse panel contacts. But that's usually a temporary fix. Also, with a battery voltage of 12.6 volts, the dash lamps, headlamps, wipers, etc. see only around 11 volts, so I've got a voltage drop somewhere. And that's with two 10 gauge wires feeding the fuse panel.

Bottom line is I need to replace the fuse panel, and might as well get rid of the bulkhead connectors as a potential problem source, which means getting an entire kit including harnesses. I've installed an American Autowire Classic Update harness on a 66 truck, and really liked it, but for a square body, they cost $845.

Also looking at a $465 Ron Francis XP-751 kit, but the panel is 7-1/2"wide, which makes it a really tight fit between kick panel and steering column. BTW, on another car I finished the install of a Ron Francis kit where the wires are terminated at the fuse panel, and I think that makes for a neater setup under the dash. Also, the kit uses 8 gauge wires for the panel feed and charging circuit, and virtually all the wires are larger than stock. Too bad the XP-751 Express fuse panel is so wide.

Pretty much ruled out Painless because they actually use smaller gauge wire than my factory wiring for panel feed and ignition! (Panel feed is two 10 gauge wires, but they crimp them to two 12 gauge wires 6" before the panel. Huh?)

What have you guys used, and are you happy with it?

SunSoaked · 10-01-2018, 04:29 PM

You sure the smaller sections aren't fusible links?

**MikeB** · 10-01-2018, 05:23 PM

Yes, the kit uses a maxi-fuse instead. And the transition is the last 6" or so before connecting the fuse panel B+ bus.

09-28-2018, 10:45 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,569	Fuse panel & wiring harness kits Due to a water leak over much of its life, my 82 C10's fuse panel has lots of corroded, and even rusty fuse sockets -- not from getting wet, but from just sitting above the moisture on the floor. Seems like every few months I have to pull a fuse and use a burnishing tool to clean up the fuse panel contacts. But that's usually a temporary fix. Also, with a battery voltage of 12.6 volts, the dash lamps, headlamps, wipers, etc. see only around 11 volts, so I've got a voltage drop somewhere. And that's with two 10 gauge wires feeding the fuse panel. Bottom line is I need to replace the fuse panel, and might as well get rid of the bulkhead connectors as a potential problem source, which means getting an entire kit including harnesses. I've installed an American Autowire Classic Update harness on a 66 truck, and really liked it, but for a square body, they cost $845. Also looking at a $465 Ron Francis XP-751 kit, but the panel is 7-1/2"wide, which makes it a really tight fit between kick panel and steering column. BTW, on another car I finished the install of a Ron Francis kit where the wires are terminated at the fuse panel, and I think that makes for a neater setup under the dash. Also, the kit uses 8 gauge wires for the panel feed and charging circuit, and virtually all the wires are larger than stock. Too bad the XP-751 Express fuse panel is so wide. Pretty much ruled out Painless because they actually use smaller gauge wire than my factory wiring for panel feed and ignition! (Panel feed is two 10 gauge wires, but they crimp them to two 12 gauge wires 6" before the panel. Huh?) What have you guys used, and are you happy with it? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 09-29-2018 at 08:54 PM.

10-01-2018, 04:29 PM	#2
SunSoaked Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Yuma Arizona Posts: 1,525	Re: Fuse panel & wiring harness kits You sure the smaller sections aren't fusible links?

10-01-2018, 05:23 PM	#3
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,569	Re: Fuse panel & wiring harness kits Yes, the kit uses a maxi-fuse instead. And the transition is the last 6" or so before connecting the fuse panel B+ bus. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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