Looking for a wiring harness recommendation - The car I have is an Australian Charger. No one currently makes a repro and a comparable A, B, C, E body version is not going to work well. Big difference, other than the steering wheel on the other side, is that they did not use a bulkhead connector for their cars. The main harness just passes through a grommet at the firewall. I have been told by a few people to avoid Painless Wiring for quality issues. I figured the Street Rodder section would be best place to ask. Everyone on the web advertises that their kits are the best. I think a previous owner of this car was a 15 year old who really liked wire nuts and scotch tape...

Anyone care to share harness stories?

68Jim

Sorry, I'm old and not that bright, ... who did you mean about no bulkhead connector, ... the Australian Charger ... or the A, B, C, E body versions?

I would modify one of the aftermarket kits or just wire it from scratch using a aftermarket bulkhead connection (as I am going to do) if that is what is required?


Like this: BULKHEAD or BULKHEAD 2 or cut both parts out of a wreck (messy) or maybe both parts of a trailer connector.

When I rewired my 51 Plymouth I used one of Speedway's house brand harnesses, key is to determine how many circuits you need. This is th eone I used

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/22-Circuit-Universal-Automotive-Aftermarket-Wiring-Harness-Kit,229874.html

I have an EZ wiring harness in my 52 Dodge PU. Previous owner installed it. Presently I’m wiring LED lights and so far it’s been pretty easy. My harness is is a 12 circuit.

I would suggest going through another vendor besides Speedway. Their customer service sucks. I spend over an hour and a half yesterday just to get one question answered. Turns out the instructions for the wiring on my truck were updated.

don't forget to add in lamp cord and 8 butt connectors on a single wire run of two feet.

some of the things i have seen over the many years would make you just shake your head because you couldn't form words to describe it !
i like to use factory items whenever possible, including bulkhead connectors and terminal ends. also, use a quality automotive wire with automotive grade insulation. i forget the name for it now, but some kits use cheap insulation that doesn't hold up to heat well.
as hot rods and street rods have different requirements than normal vehicles, i like to choose the amount of circuits needed, then obtain a fuse panel that has a couple of extra circuits in case you decide to add something in the future.
i have used ron francis items, and they are good quality.
don't forget the pliers needed for terminating the wire ends. you will more than likely need a couple different ones, depending on what connectors you use. over the years, i have acquired many, and as newer connectors are invented, i seem to get the tools needed to use them.
also, there are special picks used to remove the wire terminals from the factory connectors. you will need several of those as well, as mistakes can happen, or you will want to move a wire from one cavity of a connection to another, and the picks prevent damage to the terminal, wire, or connector.
probably the most important item of all, is to sketch a diagram of your system. this will help in the future for multiple reasons, and you will be glad you took the time to do this when that occasion arises.
wiring is not that difficult if one takes their time, carefully route the harness, and use quality components.
just my experience over 50 years. your mileage will vary. and i have made MANY mistakes, so don't feel bad if something happens and you need to redo something.

Funny that you mentioned lamp cord and multiple butt splices. They had a kill switch using lamp cord and I had a four foot section under the hood with three splices... Just to clarify for Old Ray - the Aussie Charger does not use a bulkhead connector, rather they ran the harness straight through the firewall. I looked at Ron Frances and while it looks to be good, I really do not like the terminal board connections right next to the fuse block. I would rather go with the wiring directly from the fuse block to the switch or connector. I'll check EZ Harness later and looked at KWIKWIRE last night. This car does not need many circuits since manual windows, no A/C, manual fans, etc. I have the wiring tools and good with a soldering iron so not scared of the job. Thanks so far for the feedback - keep it coming.

I got a universal kit, did not expect Speedway to provide any technical support since that is pretty much the nature of anything universal, i.e. fits nothing. If I wanted a plug and play, fits like the factory made it, kit I would have gone to Rhode Island wiring,

I have used speedway harness on several Vehicles. Have never had an issue with them.

I used speedway motors universal harness in my 47 desoto, it has an 88 Dakota column. It worked great, the hardest part was figuring out the steering column wiring. It comes with a GM plug that I cut off and connected to the Dakota column

I saw that most of the kits will have that GM column connector. The Aussie car has a square looking connection so I will probably just wire both sides to match the GM connection. Probably going to go with the 14 circuit Kwikwire - USA made kit with some good features.
Planning it for the winter project.

https://kwikwire.com/collections/complete-wiring-kits/products/14-circuit-wire-harness

These are US made also, sold by just about everyone. Very simple to use. There are other models with more circuits.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aww-510004

I've had excellent results using American Autowire, whether a '53 Ford F250 12V & alternator conversion, or LS1 swaps into FJ40s and a Jeep TJ.
For the specific OEM connectors, I generally can find them or fab them.
Uninsulated terminals with shrink tubing work well & look proper, too, in certain areas.
OEM-correct plastic terminal "covers" (like horn wires & etc have) & such are out there.

We had a shop install Ron Francis wire harness in my wife's '51 Chevy pick-up. No complaints from the shop. It's been trouble free ever since the install. 8 or 10 years ago? I don't remember.

Thanks everyone for your input. I ordered the kit from Kwikwire and it arrived last week. Looks like the steering column connection will require modifying but other than that I am planning this for my Winter project. Now have to order a U barrel crimper...

68Jim