The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Recommendations for best replacement harness

I am restoring a 1958 task force half ton as close to as-original as possible and want to find the best (quality, ease of install) harness. The only non-stock addition will be vintage air.

Any suggestions? Thx!

The best quality as far as completeness and parts, is American AutoWire. Also the most expensive. The actual wire is the same as all the others. I was very pleased with their Classic TF harness after I got over the price. Great Packard56 connectors and terminals. All the lamp sockets and wiring. Nice colored diagrams to match the wire colors. Provisions for every possible add on accessory. Nice fuse panel. After you factor in all the switches and extras you get and you don't get with the others, the price becomes understandable.
http://www.americanautowire.com/view-product/1955-1959-chevrolet-truck/ EBAY $466 free ship

Thanks Bartamos - much appreciated.

Classic parts also sells a direct replacement harness

I just completed installing a new wiring harness (for 1950 chevy 1 ton)from Classic Parts and had real good experience. The wiring kit was $150 but needed to add additional cost for turn signals (dual element front running lights and new turn signal switch on steering column)

easy to install and all wiring labeled good, good instructions. I would use the Classic Parts again and would recommend to others.

gobolt,
Are you considering going with modern mini fuses, etc or just replacing the stock wiring, keeping the old fuses. The above replies reflect both ways.

I am going very close to stock on this restoration - except a/c as I am in Florida - so leaning towards a direct replacement that will allow for addition of vintage air.

I'll throw in my usual plug for Naragansette Reproductions. They will give you a high quality original harness and add in the wires for the air. All original color codes on the wire and woven overbraid.

I talked to a guy from Hot Rod Wires at the Conroe, TX Swap Meet yesterday. www.hotrodwires.com Made in USA.

I have not used their product yet, so I can't give a recommendation...but they seem to be worth looking at.

I installed a Hotrod Wires harness in my '56 and was so pleased with it I bought another for a project. However it is not going to be 'as original'. You must route it and terminate the ends. Great for a custom job.

I installed a classic parts of America harness on my 59 taskforce with "0" electrical experience. My only two gripes is the front turn signal wires were about 2 inches short and you have to buy the correct headlight harness with the fender pass through rubber separate. The kit does include a head light harness but not the rubber gaskets for the pass through. The instructions were easy enough for a novice to follow. Overall for the price it was well worth it and will be "correct"

ApacheGail is right, The classicparts harness doesn't come with any of the rubber grommets... but I'm not sure many wiring harnesses actually DO come with them...

all grommets are a separate thing, none come with any harness

Bill