American Autowire

[magwakeenercew2jh]

If AAW is the same as M&H (my only baseline for the harnesses), I can't think of one "crimp" that's necessary.

If your definition of "crimps" is something like this, avoiding them is *exactly* why you buy the good harnesses.

[1stchevy]

I think the owner of M&H and the owner of AAW used to work together. There are a few Delphi style crimps that need to be make but most of the harness is plug and play. Not butt connectors

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I don't know what you're working on, or what your intention is. So, I don't know what departure you might take from stock.

I don't have any decent under-hood pics of RAT right now. But because I did change it up a little, I had to solder and shrink
wrap into the M&H harnesses.

Here's a sort-of crusty side shot.



Cracking into the harnesses was ONLY NECESSARY for these items, as I remember:

-Extra lic plate light tap.

-Sent the HEI and starter wire back into the cab and under the dash to come out thru grommets in the firewall closer to "points of use".

-Wired the electric choke into the washer circuit.

-Sent the light harness inside the drivers side fender and out for a minute to the alt and etc....then along the bottom of the radiator core
support and under the battery tray. Wired in the relays for the dual electric fans to the fused link.

-Wired up another electric fan that is specific to the condenser...to be on whenever the air is turned on at the interior switch.

-Added a small blade fuse block below the stocker for some extras;...electric fuel pump, electric windows, stereo and GPS stuff. No big deal...
...Just went to ground and grabbed an "acc unfused" spot off of the fuse block.

All that crap took some solder and shrink wrap. But I have too much electric stuff. I like it, though. Hahahaha!!!

Anyway, with the exception of a few small tricks that you probably won't need (like the alt and HEI changes, if you have those), the AAW
should do it all for you.

[1stchevy]

Yeah I won't need to wire anything extra in. No power windows, no electric fans. The only change from factory is the MSD ignition and I've got a rebuilt gauge cluster with tach where mine now is the basic 3 whole dash.

Good looking truck you have there.

[dirtyjim]

there are cheaper crimpers on ebay for around $40-60, I've heard the work good on single wire crimps but I haven't heard anything about how or if they can do the double wire headlight plugs.
I have the same Packard single crimp tool that aaw sells and it does a perfect crimp that is very strong. picked it up used on ebay for $45

[1stchevy]

Would these work. Amazon.com: Delphi Packard Weatherpack Crimper...

[dirtyjim]

those are metri-pack crimpers, good for late model stuff

these should do the single wire crimps, cant say if they would work on the double wire crimps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRIMPER-AND-...31d888&vxp=mtr

[1stchevy]

Ok thanks

[Lee H]

IMHO, To do a proper crimp with the AAW or M&H harness you need the correct crimpers, two sizes. Generic auto house or hardware store crimpers will not make the correct double crimp needed for the connectors supplied with the harnesses. AAW web site has a great video the details the correct way to crimp the supplied connectors.

[69pickupnyc]

I just finished putting AAW harness in my 69 c10 and it went fairly easy, since I never did it before. I had one problem with the turn signals. The turn signals must all be installed front and back to work. The metal housing must be installed into the bed and the front grill to be properly grounded or the signals won't work. You can not just let them hang while you are testing. The second item that you will have to change is the alternator to a later model. The bed light wiring on the back of the cab was not included. I would run two new wires to the light. The truck shop sells a wiring harness but I had to alter it. I also recommend using the right crimping tool and use electrical grease on the connections. AAW teck help was a great help and I was able to understand their instructions that alone was worth the price of the harness. I would also give a tug on all crimped connection before you install them into the plastic connectors so you won't have to take them apart. I also purchased a cut switch from AAW that I still have to install. I do not want my truck stolen. On youtube there is a three part series that you can watch on wiring a c10 with AAW harness. I found it very helpful with the ignition switch removal and instillation. Good Luck

[1stchevy]

Thanks for the info 69pickupnyc Im going to try to install my harness myself since most you guys are giving such positive feedback.

[stsalvage]

One rule i did find out when installing these harness.I like putting in the 1972 harness cus it has all the new updates in harness 1967-70 leave out little things.Plus the 1972 most people use all the stuff that came out in all the deluxe trucks.The one fetcher was the front side blinkers on the side of the truck in 1971-72 is nice but with people not seeing when your turning the side marker lights flashing really helps.I wish they mad them for the rear tail lights.I have a longhorn that we use to use a full self contained camper with shower and toilet and having the rear side markers blinking in a rain or snow storm Truly helps.

Its a work in progress 1968 late to early 1969 Longhorn

[68nou1]

Used AAW on my 68 Camaro and it was laid out very nice, labeled great, and went together pretty smooth considering its electical. They give you plenty of wire, length wise, also. Anyways, this was the first time i had done an electrical system in a car/truck and it went good. Take your time and read the prints get a shop manual like someone above suggested, and if you are installing aftermarket gauges like i did take your time, should be no problem.

The only thing i didnt like was the bolt and nut that hold the plugs to the fuse pannel through the fire wall was a pain. But i am sure it is probably like that with any set up. Good luck.

[1stchevy]

Thanks for the input guys.

What crimps are you using when you do your installs?

[1stchevy]

Does anyone know if these crimps will work and make the proper connection?
http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-18...aign=nextag_r1

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 1stchevy

Does anyone know if these crimps will work and make the proper connection?
http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-18...aign=nextag_r1

What's the big deal with the crimps?

[1stchevy]

Just want to make sure I get any connections made the proper way

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 1stchevy

Just want to make sure I get any connections made the proper way

Good idea!

Cut, two pieces of shrink wrap, slip 'em over each of the cut ends, cut the wire to length. Then strip, twist, solder,
slip the shrink wrap over the twist, heat one and then do the same with the second chunk.

-or-

If it's a "connector end" end, strip, slip on a piece of shrink, slip the wire through the the open end of the connector,
squeeeeeeze, solder it a tad, shrink the shrink wrap.

Hey, I'm just playin'.
This isn't supposed to be all serious, you know!!!!

[Lee H]

See post 34, and

AAW web site has a great video the details the correct way to crimp the supplied connectors.

My neighbor decided to use home depot greenlee crimpers, the crimp failed in every connector he unhooked. Was quite the mess as he had to order a new connector kit, redo all the connections and barely had enough wire left. I know some forum members have used generic crimpers.

I think every one needs to use what they are comfortable with.

Here's a picture of an assortment of the AAW connectors and the Delphi crimpers.

[1stchevy]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

Good idea!

Cut, two pieces of shrink wrap, slip 'em over each of the cut ends, cut the wire to length. Then strip, twist, solder,
slip the shrink wrap over the twist, heat one and then do the same with the second chunk.

-or-

If it's a "connector end" end, strip, slip on a piece of shrink, slip the wire through the the open end of the connector,
squeeeeeeze, solder it a tad, shrink the shrink wrap.

Hey, I'm just playin'.
This isn't supposed to be all serious, you know!!!!

I'm very sarcastic myself, it's just hard to get that to come across over the internet. It's all in good fun!

[1stchevy]

Originally Posted by Lee H

See post 34, and

AAW web site has a great video the details the correct way to crimp the supplied connectors.

My neighbor decided to use home depot greenlee crimpers, the crimp failed in every connector he unhooked. Was quite the mess as he had to order a new connector kit, redo all the connections and barely had enough wire left. I know some forum members have used generic crimpers.

I think every one needs to use what they are comfortable with.

Here's a picture of an assortment of the AAW connectors and the Delphi crimpers.

Thanks Lee!

[BIG ORANGE]

Originally Posted by 1stchevy

Just ordered the classic update kit from American Autowire part 510089. How many of you guys have installed them yourself and how hard was it? I have only done very minor car audio wiring so this has me a little scared to tackle by myself. Any insight or pointers are greatly appreciated.

Chris

If that's the kit that you have to cut and crimp most of the ends, I just did a complete install on a 69 swb truck, I tried talking the guy into the plug and play kit as I call it but he thought he was saving money, time he paid the hourly rate for the install he would had been better off, how ever the shop benefited from it....
The 1st kit I mentioned, if you take you time and messure everything out you should be in good shape, they do have a good tech line if you get stuck on something,,,,
Best of luck
Donnie

[1stchevy]

Thanks Donnie!

[truckdude239]

I used normal chimpers but i also solidered all the connectors too

[1stchevy]

I think I'm just going to break down and buy the crimps from AAW. They designed the harness and those are what they recommend so why not.