Wiring/Electrical Kits

[gt40racing]

Okay! Rewiring my 69 C10 is a must. I want the modern type fuse panel. Plan to do a LS swap also. Which kits are you guys using to rewire your trucks. I used EZ wiring on my 51 F-1... not bad. Just want hear what you guys have experienced or recommend.

[Breadstick]

I used a Painless Performance wiring kit for my 85 C10 and it was great. I ordered one for my 72 C20 that should be here this week. If you use Painless, do a search here for it. I found a thread last night that said the tail lights are wired to the horn fuse and it took a few people some hours to figure out on their own.

[TXgearhead67]

I used Painless also when I wired my stepsons mustang. I thought it was a great harness. I’ve already bought one for my 67 just haven’t installed yet.
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[Accelo]

I am using americanautowire.com system.
I like it well enough. Currently I am in the process of installing it.
The give you plenty of wire, they don't cheap out there.
Same with extra connections as I have made a few mistakes.
Has some nice options like connections for a third brake light and rear mounted fuel pump and fuel gauge. Of course, the wire is typically terminated on one end and you do the other. I call it an IKEA wiring system. It is taking me a long time to install. Terminations are not the issue. Routing and securing the wire takes a long time.
It also has the modern fuses. My kit also included courtesy lights and the wiring for them. I had to purchase the door switches separate. The bad is you will need to enlarge the hole where the main fuse block attaches to the firewall. The connections for the dash have to be done as a separate harness, it's not plug and play. Has options for modern gauges if you choose.
I would recommend the system. However, it may take you three times as long to install as you planed on.

Rick

[MikeB]

I'm not sure about Painless, but the AAW kit made specifically for 67-72 trucks uses a fuse panel that mounts in the OE location. And the engine and lighting harnesses plug in to the fuse panel bulkhead connector, similar to OE. IMO, that's much better than what you'll get with a universal kit with engine and lighting wires running directly to the fuse panel via a hole in the firewall. Been there done that, on a 82 truck, and it's a pain.

Over the years I have done two AAW kits, one Ron Francis kit, and an EZ Wire kit . EZ Wire had terrible instructions and arrogant tech support. I don't know how someone without automotive electrical experience could have installed it. On the other hand, RF and AAW had very good documentation and support. Actually, the AAW wiring schematics are awesome!

I haven't installed a Painless kit, but I've actually used their on-line instructions when trying to understand some of the circuits on an 82 truck. It's a wealth of detailed information.

[Mike C]

American Auto Wire Classic Update kit. I think that's the best to integrate to the 67-72 trucks and do all the things you want.

I too used an EZ Wire harness on an older project, a '52 M38A1 and I highly recommend that for a universal harness.

[LS short box]

I used the Painless universal kits a few times on older hot rods. They have worked well. My only complaint with them is the cheap blue plastic butt and ring connectors. They look cheap and are cheap. I go down to the local Fastenal and buy the heat shrink connectors with goo that melts and seals the connector. I clip all the connectors off the original harness to reuse.

[1971Stepside]

I used the AAW Classic Update kit. Removed several of the bulkhead wires as they are not needed with the LS swap. Easy kit to use and install.

[Thealien]

M & H makes nice stuff but $$$

[truckster]

I used EZ Wiring on my Blazer. It's a decent kit for a good price, but the directions leave a lot to be desired.

[lil hoodlum]

I've used the Painless Performance wiring kit and had it installed in less than a day. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

[Breadstick]

Originally Posted by lil hoodlum

I've used the Painless Performance wiring kit and had it installed in less than a day. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

My 85 C10 took two weekends, but I was also undoing a lot of meth-fueled wiring and tracing wires that went to nothing. I probably have half the wiring to do in my 67 C20, so I'm really hoping to get it all done in a day.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by lil hoodlum

I've used the Painless Performance wiring kit and had it installed in less than a day. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

That has to be some kind of record! Usually takes me several hours just to come up with a plan and get organized! The fastest I've installed a kit was 16-20 hours over 3-4 days, and that was an AAW Classic Update kit designed specifically for a 66 Chevy pickup. The universal kits can take more time than that, like for planning the layout for a 37 Chevy hotrod. But I'm absolutely anal about routing and neatness, and have been known to do, undo, and do again!