72 Wiring

[MikeandCheryl]

I'm going to re-wire my truck. i don't want to buy one of those kits - i want to modernize the whole system and reduce the number of circuits and fuses - perhaps similar to a race car which has the basics. I'm comfortable with the diagrams, and how everything goes together and I'm not that interested in having 15 different colours running will nilly. Has anyone out there done this and simplified the rat's nest of wiring and perhaps created a more simple flow of electrons? Further, one would need a source for all the different types of connectors, clips and such for each of the components. finally, there needs to be something to fit into the firewall connection that will allow the wiring to pass through into the cab.
Race cars seem to have unlimited money but they do have to start somewhere with a fuse/switch panel and a spool of wire.
Any suggestions?
thanks.

[Getter-Done]

Have you looked into kits like this?

Link: https://coachcontrols.com/index.php?...index&cPath=41

[72SB]

AAW, American Auto Wire

[HO455]

I would say it's going to be hard to make the wiring more basic than GM did originally. These are simple trucks with basic wiring. Yes they are more complicated than an Advanced Design truck but, they also came with turn signals, and electric wipers from the factory. With heaters, radios and dome lights as the few electrical options.

In addition I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you want to reduce the number of fuses. Reducing the number of fuses without reducing the number of circuits will increase the chances of a fire. Each conductor supplying power to a component needs to have a fuse that is sized to prevent the wire from melting if shorted.

If you have four 18 guage wires coming from a single fuse how do you select the proper sized fuse? If each wire is supplying a 10 amp load you would need a 40 amp fuse to handle the total load. Which would work until something goes wrong and the current draw on one wire rises to 18 amps. This would exceed the amp rating of the wire and it would overheat and the insulation would melt or burn.

I'll add one more thought. At some point you'll likely want to sell the truck, and an informed buyer will be turned off by a wiring harness with only one or two colors. Things fail and need to be repaired. Troubleshooting a system that isn't color coded is much harder and time consuming and if your having to pay for it expensive.

Good luck with your project! Building and installing your own wiring can be fun and educational. Do your homework and enjoy the trip.

[Thealien]

M&H exact fit harness with ATO fuses. Not the cheapest option (some forum vendors offer discounts).

I have used 2 complete harnesses for my 2 Blazers.

[K10-Kansas]

I'm 95% done putting in my American Autowire classic update. It was easy and I took care to route the wires in hidden areas and covered all wires with black loom and did heat shrink at each end of each loom. It took me 2 hours per day for a month but it looks clean. I ran most of the engine wires between the fender and tire housing. I still need to move a few things because better ideas came up along the way.

[K10-Kansas]

A few more pics

[SRU1436]

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

A few more pics

Nice job on the wiring.

[NorCalC20LWB]

AAW for sure, and I'm pretty much wiring challenged....