bergy Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 (edited) Hey to all ready to rewire my 53 B3. Seen mentioned self wiring or ez wire kits- need some info? Thanks bergy Edited September 29, 2017 by bergy Misspelled words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 RIWire has nice products, plug and play and are made to look stock but with modern materials. But not the cheapest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobacuda Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I bought the wire and connectors from RI Wire and copied my old wiring to make my B4B's harnesses. I added directional signals. The total cost of doing that roughly $250, if I remember correctly. I think it took 2-3 weeks working several evenings and weekends. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. If I had to do it all over again, I would put all wires connected to the instrument cluster and the wipers on a connector to make it easier to pull the instruments when needed. Do a search here and you will find several postings I made outlining the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobacuda Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 BTW, a 1953 1/2 ton Dodge truck is a B4B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 https://enginebarn.myshopify.com/ http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/wiring_harness/wiring.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent B3B Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Bergy, in my opinion it depends on you goal. i wired two trucks (both b3's) with vinyl wire from "the wire barn" for $140.99 and still have close to enough for a third, but I didn't care about it being vinyl coated. my b4d I am currently working on I want cloth covered. I just placed an order two days ago (Wednesday) with "Tom's wire.... " that Keven shows above for $144.02 the difference for me was Tom sells by the foot and I didn't see that option with "R.I" If I was in a hurry and didn't want to mess around with the DYI, I would have gone to Rhode Island.... FYI, I ordered my cloth wire without tracers.... I figure the only person that will ever see it and know better is ggdad1951. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsartain Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 B1BKeven, I understand that there is a special wire for the horn button. Some of the kits come with a wire. I was tole that is was a stainless steel cored wire that was resistant to breakage. Have you found a source for it. I didn't see it on Tom's engine barn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Haven't found one John. I'll have a poke around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobacuda Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I made the wire for my horn from the size and color wire shown in wiring diagram. to make the button on the end, I soldered the wire, then I put flux inside a barrel nut (with a flat end, matched the size of the horn wire's terminal) and soldered the line inside of it. I replaced my old line with that and it has worked great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsartain Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Thanks Guys, I heard about the wire being different a while back and looked all over online for something that might work. I was interested in others experience with it. When I browsed this thread it reminded me of that and saw Keven had one of the best wire sources I have seen for vintage wire. I might have done mine different had I known of it sooner but I hand wired mine weeks ago. Not all that different from the motorcycles I have built and wired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 last I knew VPW had the horn wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsartain Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 8 hours ago, ggdad1951 said: last I knew VPW had the horn wire I missed it, all I saw was the horn kits. But you're right they do have the wire. The kit would have been ok in a pinch but I have my eyes on a Grant steering wheel and horn kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergy Posted October 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Ok thanks for telling me a 1/2 ton 53 is a b4. I am glad to be corrected. If anyone has used rusty hopes disc conversion- and it's so far an ok project.i was concerned about the rotor spacer on the spindle spinning- due to the tight fit of the hub seal - but I used GM brand panel bond and it won't spin no more. Trying to drill - it seems like hardened steel is kinda tough. I had mine done here in town for less than a hundred. That's drilling and all the tapping .thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buttiman53 Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Some of us have a B3B that is registered as a 53. It's not unheard of that a 52-made model was sold in 53. Just check your V.I.N. tag for the correct model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 If your harness is crusty, etc but intact, you could get a patient friend and pull in each new wire by pulling out the old. Possibly a one saturdays task. Do turn signals separately, they are an independent harness. Estimated cost less than $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobacuda Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 As I said earlier, I pulled the harnesses, mounted them on plywood, ordered the correct size and color code (and terminals) from RI Wire. Built each harness, and added directional signals. Took me about 2 weeks of working a couple of hours at night, plus a couple of full week ends. Cost was about $250 total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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