The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Rewiring a 1951 1/2 ton Chevy truck

I have a 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton and would like to rewire the entire truck. I will have the frame stripped so everything is accessible. It seems like the store bought harness sets are expensive. Should I use wire spools or is that asking for trouble? Also is anyone aware of a good color coded wiring diagram?

Just my opinion, By the time you add in your time and brain damage figuring it all out, and based on the price of wire, connectors, solder and tape, I think the wiring harnesses are a bargain.

my opinion,buy a specific harness for you truck

i have to support this opinion as well - get a harness. it makes the job so much easier.

I agree with the above posters buy the harness you can still get a decent harness from some of the vendors for $150-250 and they are numbered for easy installation so you won't need the diagram.
I bought mine for $150 from www.ClassicParts.com and have had zero issues. They sell them for alternators or generators.

Thanks for the responses! It's unanimous....You have convinced me to get the harness.

Yes, the right harness is sweet. I once had a '79 Harley, that the previous owner had rewired with all black wire. All the same size. Trouble shooting was such a nightmare, I tore it all out, and bought a harness for it. It was so much easier!

Thanks Christopher! I would have to be a moron (don't ask my wife....) to not use a bought harness....

I redid my 51 with A kit from American Autowire.... not cheap, but worth every penny.

All the kits I looked at had more circuits than I'd ever use. I have a bare bones truck with a generator and turn signals. I wired it myself and I am no expert. I used the schematic in the shop manual and replaced one wire at a time. Good wire, good connectors and a good crimping tool plus a pull test when done. The truck wiring is very simple. And yes I used all black under the hood because the longest wire is about 3 feet and anyone can trace that. My biggest problem was doing the gauges (still in progress) because of my size and the access.

Having color-coded wiring is very convenient. As Brad posted above, the basic wiring harness from Classic Parts is hard to beat (in quality, convenience, and cost - and in minimizing headaches for you and for others in the future).

I too agree get a harness I have the one mentioned in my 1953 & I have a 12 circiut universal one I bought of ebay for $65 & it works great as well.

southern rods also for harnesses. usa made and good instructions.

daren