Re-wiring your car questions
#2434168
01/13/18 11:40 PM
01/13/18 11:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
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OP
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Rittman Ohio
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I have been considering re-wiring my Savoy with an updated universal system with fresh wires. Like a lot of our cars the wires and connectors are getting very brittle and and are really not up to the job with added accessories and higher output alternators. I was considering just adding a 5 circuit sub system for my added components or should I just change over the entire system with fresh wires to all components. I have an MSD ignition so that system is very basic and I also have upgraded to a Denso internal regulator alt. so that should also make easier. I just need a basic system to run the lights,wipers,fuel pump,and horn. Thanks in advance Gus
Last edited by fourgearsavoy; 01/13/18 11:42 PM.
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: topside]
#2434190
01/14/18 12:25 AM
01/14/18 12:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
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Yeah I was looking at their products and the Mopar specific system was $999.00 I think I may go with the universal system. Gus
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: IMGTX]
#2434223
01/14/18 01:40 AM
01/14/18 01:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050 Texas
GoodysGotaCuda
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
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5.7L Hemi, 6spd
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
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If you are going to do the whole kit-n-kaboodle yourself it can be a painstaking mess. I will say that is very true. It took me nearly 3 months worth of time to finish wiring my car. Granite I did a from-scratch fuse box and have EFI...but it can be quite extensive. SOLDER ALL CONNECTIONS That you can. Don't skimp on this step.
...this too. Every connection on my car is crimped and soldered.
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2434245
01/14/18 02:33 AM
01/14/18 02:33 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,119 85086
moparpollack
Lil Herman
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Lil Herman
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,119
85086
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Yeah I was looking at their products and the Mopar specific system was $999.00 I think I may go with the universal system. Gus Start from scratch with Rapidroberts help. When I wired my 39 Plymouth pick up he broke it down and made the job easier. Learned a lot and it wasn't that hard.
56 Plaza 63 D100 step side 67 Coronet, 68 Roadrunner, 69 Super Bees, 69 Coronet 500 convertible, 70 Roadrunner Post, 79 D150 360, and a severe case of Mopar a,d,d
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: moparpollack]
#2434375
01/14/18 01:12 PM
01/14/18 01:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
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Well I've been doing wiring for over 30 years and I used to wire complete utility trucks with man lifts,cable pullers,generators etc. so I know how to wire a vehicle.I should probably re-phrase my question to "what kit do you guys like to use" There are at least a hundred differn't universal kits out there made in a dozen countries. All I need is just a basic deal with enough circuits to be legal for road use. Just asking what have you used and what were the problems you had with various kits so I know what works best. Thanks for all the information so far. Gus
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: moparpollack]
#2434378
01/14/18 01:18 PM
01/14/18 01:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,480 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,480
north of coder
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gus, a simple, basic system, can sometimes be better going one wire at a time. that is, if you are not in a huge hurry, and want to learn a lot about the circuits present. what ever you decide, and i can't emphasize this enough, use QUALITY wire, terminals, and crimping tools ! solder if you wish, but don't OVER DO it on the solder, making it a brittle joint. there is a reason the OEM's crimp 95% of all connections. marine shrink tube with the adhesive is all i recommend when shrink tube is required on a termination or a splice. keep as many factory style plugs as you can when plugging in components, and protect your harness with proper routing and grommets, then the outer sheaving can be what ever you choose, as there are multiple choices available. i, however, dislike the late model plastic split loom cover that comes in a bunch of colors ! but that's just me. take a little time and you can do a GREAT job, it's not that hard ! just don't do anything like this mess i had to fix one time !
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2434483
01/14/18 04:35 PM
01/14/18 04:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 348 Texas Hill Country
Centerline
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 348
Texas Hill Country
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I've used "Ron Frances", "It's a Snap", and "Keep it Clean" wiring kits and they all were pretty easy. That said, I would NEVER use a "Ron Frances" kit again simply because they use a proprietary solid state fuse panel that only they can fix.
I'm currently wiring my '64 Polara with the "Keep it Clean" kit. This is big block 4 speed car that has a Vintage Air kit installed. This kit is one of their "bare bones kits" that is basically just the fuse panel and associated wiring and does not include the wiring for most of the car. It was cheap (under $100 on sale) and if you purchase the rest of the wire and connectors yourself its still a good deal. However, there is no way I would recommend this kit for a beginner.
The best of the three in my opinion was the "It's a Snap" 18 circuit kit. I used this one on a '53 Chebby pickup I built that was early hemi powered and had a Hot Rod Air AC unit installed. I also used it on my 32 Ford 3 window coupe. This kit is pretty complete, has good directions, and is pretty much a piece of cake to install.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Centerline; 01/14/18 04:39 PM.
Centerline 64 Dodge Polara 426 Street Wedge - For when I want to go fast 99 Corvette Z-06 - For when I want to turn corners
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2434485
01/14/18 04:38 PM
01/14/18 04:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,424 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Omaha Ne
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Well I've been doing wiring for over 30 years and I used to wire complete utility trucks with man lifts,cable pullers,generators etc. so I know how to wire a vehicle.I should probably re-phrase my question to "what kit do you guys like to use" There are at least a hundred differn't universal kits out there made in a dozen countries. All I need is just a basic deal with enough circuits to be legal for road use. Just asking what have you used and what were the problems you had with various kits so I know what works best. Thanks for all the information so far. Gus American Autowire, their Hiway series kits sound like exactly what you need.
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2434829
01/15/18 03:37 AM
01/15/18 03:37 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,260 New Mexico
Adobedude
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,260
New Mexico
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Don't solder, use the proper sized quality terminals and crimpers. A bad solder joint, which is wàaaaay to easy to do will be brittal, ask guys who work on airplanes.
2001 Dodge Dakota 408 All Motor 11.27 @ 117.83 mph 2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion.
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: Adobedude]
#2434855
01/15/18 05:17 AM
01/15/18 05:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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Don't solder,, ask guys who work on airplanes. I owned and worked on my own airplane for 15 years under the direct supervision of a A&P and Inspector authorized designated engineer. The main reason they don't use solder connections on factory airplanes is weight and wire gauge size as well as the airplane flying in all kinds of weather with massive air temp changes and vibration I worked for the local phone company for over 33 yrs, we solder every permanent connections in the equipment offices and on all the inter connection wiring on most of the wires. If you solder and heat shrink the connections properly and make sure they aren't moving around a bunch you will be fine, as I'm sure Gus already knows that
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2435187
01/15/18 08:25 PM
01/15/18 08:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102 Massillon, Ohio
cudatom
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,102
Massillon, Ohio
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I've used two different kits. My Cuda has an ARC kit. Super simple and I reàlly like their set up. Plenty of wire, nice directions as well as options.
The second was a Painless kit that went in my wagon. What a POS. I would never use them again. Wire was cheap, poor connections and their suggested wiring diagram was crap.
Ok
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Re: Re-wiring your car questions
[Re: cudatom]
#2435279
01/15/18 10:58 PM
01/15/18 10:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
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Well I'm leaning to the American Hiway series but if the Keep It Clean site was better I might use them but I will check them out by phone. Thanks again for all the responses BTW I always crimp,solder,shrink ALL connections unless they are shock mounted. Gus
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
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