Hello everyone. I have not posted on this site for quite some time. I’ve sold my first race car to my nephew and am now into a different project. I have a’65 Dodge A100 pickup that currently just a bare shell on stands. Now mind you I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed and fight now I’m struggling with is some wiring. I’m using an aftermarket wiring harness so none of the colors match factory wires. That in itself is not the problem. I’m trying to figure where all the wires go in the ignition/starting system. Last night a drew up a schematic of all the devices I believe will be needed, some stock, some not. I bought a slant six electronic distributor kit from Rick Ehrenberg, a 1 wire Tuff Stuff Ford style alternator, and a mini starter from a late model Ram 5.7 pickup with a manual tranny. I’d like to attach the drawing and ask if someone could possibly draw in the missing wires. Just to let everyone know, each component is drawn just as it shows, ie: 1 wire alternator,2 pin ballast, 3 pin neutral safety switch, 4 pin starter relay, 4 pin ECU, and a 6 pin starter switch. What I need to know is how this all gets wired up to function properly. Can anyone do this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Steve.

From personal experience, I'd wire the electronic ignition for a 4 pin ballast and 5 pin ECU. That wiring can be used with either style ECU if one has a breakdown.

As for the recommendations to get a service manual, definitely one for the van and not just for the wiring diagram. I'd also recommend one for say a 72 to 75 mopar of some sort so you can copy the ignition system.

Why the Ford alternator?

Since you are starting from a shell you might (for simplicity) get a self-contained ignition and ditch the ballast resistor and ECU. It would be cheaper too.

That's one reason I recommend doing the 5 pin ECU wiring. Parts availability. With stock stuff, even if the parts store doesn't have it, a pull a part might. I don't think I've bought a new ECU, voltage regulator, alternator etc in years. I just grab used ones when I find them.

If your meaning aftermarket like MSD, My issue with them has always been parts availability when the unit cr-ps out or is suspected of doing so, especially when out of town. may have something to do with an experience I had years ago that's been hard to ignore due to the cost incurred.

Analog MSD 6AL's are way more available than the Chrysler stuff! Pick up one at a swap meet for less than $100 and keep it in the trunk if you're driving a lot. Personally I've never had one fail in over 30 years. Hook it to a Chrysler distributor and it works perfectly.

the Chrysler ECU's are typically available just about anywhere And you just cursed yourself on the MSD failing LOL ( just joking) Although myself, I'd still knock on wood
I've been a bit intrigued by the HEI module replacing the ECU.
Again it goes back to a costly experience with an aftermarket ignition system many years ago. Parts stores all had the factory parts in stock But I needed A SPECIAL aftermarket rotor.

The problem is the modern, replacement ECU's are absolute garbage and it USED to be you could get them anywhere but not-so-much anymore!

, I can get a new Mopar ECU from my local napa in 30 minutes, That fails, then a GM HEI unit is a small wiring change away.