The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Cloth wiring

Sorry if this has been covered - I searched for it but it was a little daunting.

I'm in the process of putting my '35 big bolt back on the road. It has all of the original wiring which needs to be replaced. I am going to order spools and make my own wiring harness this winter. I'm not looking for 100% period correct but will match original when possible. It's a working vehicle that gets used for light jobs on my farm.

The cloth covering on my wiring has faded to an ash color so I can't tell much. Was the original cloth wire the "oak" color that I see from many companies? In the case of my grain bed with ground wires running to each corner light, were the ground wires a different color than the hot side?

Above the windshield I have a light bar with three lights on it. The domes are orange glass and match the bed lighting. Were these clearance light bars original or add-ones? My truck started life as a farm fuel delivery truck before grandpa bought it. They had put the grain bed on it to sell to him. I assumed that the lighting was a requirement going back to its commercial days when new.

Notjustair,

You may want to contact, http://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/

They do a real nice job of replicating your original wiring harness. I realize you want to make your own. However, they may be able to answer some of your questions, in regards to wire color, etc. You may even find that after you buy all of the wiring, connectors, cloth tape etc, they may be in the ballpark of what you would spend. I know that some of the other bolters have recommended other companies that also make wiring harnesses. Y N Z's is just the one that I am familiar with and have done business with. Good luck with your restoration. Hopefully this advice will help you.

Rugo

X2 on YNZ. Visit their web page. They have period correct terminals and connectors as well.

Notjustair,

Try E-Pay. Tom's engine barn in Massachusetts has the cloth covered wiring in various colors at reasonable prices. He is listed on E-Pay a enginebarn.

Tim

The original cotton covering was a yellow or "oak" color. There are many different tracer markings. Sometimes the wiring diagrams in manuals have the covering color and tracer descriptions. If you are just trying to get a SWAG, below is an image of a nice reproduction harness made by Vintage Wiring of Maine.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_71981.JPG[/img]

I'm purchasing a harness and additional cloth covered wire for my 51 from this company.
www.brillman.com

They're close to me and have a very impressive shop, machinery, and inventory. They also know their stuff, and like old trucks too. Pretty sure they'll know just what color and style was original for your tuck. If I recall correctly he explained that some of the yellowish colored lacquered cloth wire as some companies use today for restorations is not so much original but what the original faded to in time, actual original was more of a white. You can get the new/old wire either way, and the electrons don't care.

I will add Narragansett Reproductions (RI)to the list.
Excellent reproductions and they have no problem with modifications like turn signals, backup lights or 1 wire alts.