boxer_inv Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 Hi, Thought I might update as to my progress. Spent yesterday unscrewing, undoing, untwisting, yanking, pulling, pushing, unravelling, untying and....uninstalling my wiring harness & dash. Now, its out!! I think I was about 5 minutes into this job when I realised that my previous intention of doing this rewire job '1 wire at a time', was simply ridiculous. So, redirection of intent has seen me take out the entire loom and dash in (almost) 1 piece. Only place I've had to cut is for the wires running to the rear (under the headlining). I now have my dashboard and loom laid out on my pool table in the shed (covered, of course), with the wires running to the right positions etc. For anyone considering a total rewire - THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT!!!!:D:D!!! Only my opinion of course, but at the very least its now an 'informed opinion' So, I'm now setting to and starting the much more relaxed job changing the wires over. I do have some questions hankering at me already, but I'm still researching these through the archives to see what I can find. Might have some in due course though. Rob. Quote
greg g Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 Well as one of our early Naval Heros is oft quoted "Damn the Torpedos, Full Speed Ahead!" he was seldom heard from shortly thereafter............... Good luck!. Go large or go home. Quote
Captain Neon Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 A tedious job that I salute you in taking on. Quote
Andydodge Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 If your not worried about originality spraypaint the rear side of the dash white or grey to help show up whats there later........also doesn't help to wire in an under dash light from the start or ignition circuit or somewhere that would be expected to have power if your lights go out.........also if you decide to update/change the wiring photo copy the original wiring harness and redo the new/extra wires onto the photocopied sheet then get it laminated and kept with the car or workshop manual..........regards, andyd Quote
mackster Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 there is no going back now! glad you took on the challenge. thanks for sharing this pics, keep us posted and document it with pictures to help others! thanks Mackster Quote
boxer_inv Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Posted September 27, 2009 If your not worried about originality spraypaint the rear side of the dash white or grey to help show up whats there later........also doesn't help to wire in an under dash light from the start or ignition circuit or somewhere that would be expected to have power if your lights go out.........also if you decide to update/change the wiring photo copy the original wiring harness and redo the new/extra wires onto the photocopied sheet then get it laminated and kept with the car or workshop manual..........regards, andyd Andy - excellent advice as always -thanks. Quote
TodFitch Posted September 27, 2009 Report Posted September 27, 2009 Well as one of our early Naval Heros is oft quoted "Damn the Torpedos, Full Speed Ahead!"he was seldom heard from shortly thereafter............... Good luck!. Go large or go home. Actually David Glasgow Farragut said that in 1864 at the battle of Mobile Bay. And he was heard of after that. He died in 1870. Quote
boxer_inv Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Posted September 29, 2009 Hi Thought I'd offer another update on my rewiring progress. I've now replaced all of the old wires in the harness with new, same or 'up'd gauge wires. For the most part, the colours remain true to the wiring diagram, through I have had to substitute here and there due to lack of availability. Here are some pics I took during the 'pick a wire' process... Here's just ONE of the wires that confirmed to me that I'm doing the right thing...yep, thats a live wire right just asking to come into contact with a ground point! I'm just using split loom to cover the harness. I know, I know, its not spec, stock or OEM I...but it works - and that's what matters to me:) Kinda looks like a vacuum hose in there...but is tidy. After finishing all of the wire replacement, I took all of the connections off and set the harness to one side. I then removed all of the dash chrome and polished it all up (looks luuuuuuuvly!) and also cleaned the dash itself - man, it was very dusty. I pulled apart the gauge box and got to the glass to clean it up - quick paint to take care of some rusting spots, and back together. Here's the finished section behind the dash on the drivers side (RHD remember!) with gauge cluster and speedo. All going well, might have the dash back into the car tomorrow and run the front wires out to their respective places. Focus will then change to the rear wiring, which is still in there.... More updates in due course (regardless of whether anyone other than me is interested!!) Rob Quote
Young Ed Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Rob it looks like you have 2 wires to each side of the amp gauge. Is that so? Also make sure all your connections are good and tight. I didn't get my amp wires tight enough and they eventually came loose started arcing and wrecked my gauge. Quote
boxer_inv Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Posted September 29, 2009 Rob it looks like you have 2 wires to each side of the amp gauge. Is that so? Also make sure all your connections are good and tight. I didn't get my amp wires tight enough and they eventually came loose started arcing and wrecked my gauge. Hi Ed - yep, 2 wires off each...thats how it was when I came to it. The 2nd Red wire you're possibly hinting at & questioning, goes direct to the cigarette lighter. Best I can figure is that this accessory was wired to work regardless of ignition switch position. Anyone advise otherwise? Thanks for the heads up on the connections too - i've used star washers between most of the separate connectors on the posts & given them a good tighten down. Hopefully they stay put, though I should probably make a 'note to self' to check them after some miles... Rob. Quote
Young Ed Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Rob thats probably something that was added later. Regardless of which post on the amp gauge it would still work regardless of key position. On the side you have it you wont register a discharge with the engine off if you use the lighter. I just ran into a goofy thing with my truck because I had accidentally hooked my headlights up on the wrong side of the gauge. Quote
Normspeed Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Nice work. Rewiring my dashboard is on my "to do" list. That old insulation is scary stuff. Quote
Andydodge Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Rob, don't forget to repaint the back of the dash a light colour if you get a chance and a light in there is a good idea.........looks great tho, andyd Quote
greg g Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 looks great, will make some withthe ends reversed to work o left hand drive models???? Your work looks very tidy. Looks like you have the makings for a cottage industry there. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 I think a recent post recommended using star washers to keep your wire connections tight. Quote
slicknapier Posted September 29, 2009 Report Posted September 29, 2009 Rob, don't know if you posted or not, but are you staying 6 volt or converting to 12? Also, is it a harness or one you made yourself? Looks great! Quote
mackster Posted September 30, 2009 Report Posted September 30, 2009 interesting that you started at the hardest part to wire in the car. the rear and the front wiring are a breeze! you should be finish in no time, and BTW we are all interested! Quote
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