The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Wiring harness

I know when sometime along the way I will have to replace the 59 year old wires in my 49 two ton. There is missing covering and some corrossion. I did a search on the site for info, but didn't find out much. I did find a post that said that the light trucks and the heavy trucks were the same except for the tail lights and license plate light of course. I looked at some of the on line parts sources and the wiring harness ranges from about $130 to as much as $600, but not a lot of info. Not sure what you get for your money. Anyone buy a harness they would recommend or did you just replace the wires individually yourselves? Not going to buy it too soon, but lining up sources.

Hey Super,

I ran a post lately in the electrical area called "original connectors". Check it out. I went in there (one of the last links suggested) looking for connectors and I think I'm just going with a harness. They were highly recommended by stovebolters, and they have harnesses for the biguns. My needs are COE and they even have harnesses for them...very cool. Anyway, a bit of money, but considering the time to figure it all out and buy materials, I'm leaning that way.

I used EZ Wire with great results. Clearly marked, easily installed, nice fuse panel, good destructions and the best price I could find. Some of the suppliers are nuts about what they think their wiring is worth.

Use these guys. www.ezwire.com and you won't be sorry.

53moneypit,
Is that link correct?
Where is the info?

I agree, that link doesn't look correct.

I was planning on just making my own. It shouldn't be that difficult for '41 & 42 trucks. I will need 2 for sure maybe even 3, so I am going to try it myself. The money that I save can be used on other parts.

On the other hand, my goal is not original-like restoration, but more rebuilt in an orderly way. I want to drive mine, and use them as trucks.

John

It isn't working for me either but earlier it did. You can find it if you use the search feature and enter the key words "EZ Wire". I pulled out my old invoice but nothing listed for a website on it. They are in FL.

ya fergot the ing
http://www.ezwiring.com/

I purchased one from Jim Carter for a 47 pickup and used it on my 47 2 ton and it worked just great and it came with good instructions.You will have to lengthen the tailight and horn wire. Other than that no problem.

Thanks for the information. I have bookmarked those companies. Question to 53Moneypit. I have never rewired a car and went to the EZWIRE site. Did you just phone them up, and tell them what vehicle you had and they made up a harness or is it a generic harness (if there is such a thing) that you adapt to your vehicle? I didn't see any catalogue for year and model like some of the other companies.

Super - EZ and similar [Painless], are pretty generic harnesses - I'd strongly recommend you get a harness specifically for your year from one of the places that do repro OEM harnesses, available thru any of the vendors that carry 48 parts - you could prolly even get a good one from the Old Car Centre in Langley (604) 888-4412 - a harness designed to physically fit your truck will be MUCH easier to deal with, and you don't need a 12 - 21 circuit hot rod harness for an old truck with near zero acessories!!

Bill

Thanks. That's that clears it up for me. But where do I plug in my espresso machine? This is the west coast. I don't mind paying for a good product, that a beginner can install in his lifetime.

the espresso machine hooks to the solar panel on the roof!
the cheaper OEM style harnesses are made with modern type plastic coated wire and vinyl tape, meant to be as functional as new and last - the most expensive ones are made with the old style cloth covered wires and impregnated [with something] cloth tape, meant to pass judging at the shows as "original" - either is pretty straight forward to install ... the hot rod harnesses can be headaches, and you have a bunch of useless wires in the way, like ones for AC, electric cooling fans, overdrive, electric windows, etc

Bill

Generic isn't the word but universal is. No Super, it is not made for any specific vehicle but for the number of circuits you need. And frankly if you can't install it then you should have someone else do it anyway, it's that Easy...no pun intened. And you should get one with all those extra circuits since you never know what you may want to do in the future so I am at complete odds with red58. Best bet for the money, modern, well made, well planned, well..it's just EZ.

I need several also. I'm thinking about getting one new then reproducing as many as I need before installing it.

Hey, Tomcoe, that is smart. Just make sure the one you are using for a template is perfect!

I decided to build my own wiring harness.. so, now i've got about 40 hours and in excess of $200 wrapped up in a $50.00 harness... and i still need to work on it..

Hey Super55,
I'm currently working on the wiring in my '53 6400.
There's definitely some difference in wiring even between the big trucks.
My '49 4400 parts truck had 5 fuses & a pop off cover.
My 6400 has only 2 fuses & no cover.

Anyway, I'm only replacing the wires from the firewall foreward for now, but doing one wire at a time is pretty easy.
most of the wires connect to 3 things.
The headlight switch (underdash)
The high / low beam switch (in engine bay)
or the brake switch (in engine bay).
The generator has it's 3 wires that connect to the regulator.
I found the wiring under the dash was still in fine condition, since it's been protected all these years.
I recommend removing the drivers fender & well (of course when I did that, I ended up completely detailing the entire front end).

I'm not knocking 53moneypit or the other guys, just a different option.
All at once with a new harness is a good way to go, but certainly a bigger job.

I have pictures if youre interested
Rick.

PS. so far the only cost I've incurred are the connectors, solder & shrink wrap, as I've been recylcling wires from some harnesses I had lying around that came from other vehicles I've stripped.