Painless wiring

[Dominick]

Has anyone ever worked with this? I need my wiring system redone and this might be an easy out. Any suggestions?

[Dave Young]

I've done a lot of the wiring in my own truck. Luckily, the wiring in these trucks is relatively simple. Are you wanting somebody to do the wiring for you or do you just want someone to help you figure it out? Are you using a donor truck for parts? If so, you can use a lot of the wire from that to keep from having to buy wire. It's kind of expensive. Let us know what you're trying to accomplish and I'll do what I can.

[azdon]

I bought the stock chev wiring map from lmc to start with and started by repairing the stock harness using original colors. Once I understood clearly what I had, I planned the changes for the alternator system, 77 tilt/locking steering column, and relay system for the heater/AC. Under the hood, I used an HEI distributor, so no ballast wire or solenoid boost wire. Other extras added to the wiring were a trigger wire for the electric speedo, two alarm systems, hitch wiring, and a 200 degree heat alarm system. Sender wires for heat and oil were eliminated because these gauges are mechanical. I kept the entire, uncut wiring harnesses from each donor truck so I'd have proper wire colors and plugs throughout. I solder and use shrink tube on everything!
A couple of hot tips for the wiring..... the terminal ends in the plastic, multi-wire plugs can be released from the plug by pushing the tip of a micro-mini screwdriver into the plastic plug from the terminal side as you push the wire end farther into the plug. The screwdriver pushes the lock tang back, and you can the pull the terminal from the plug easily by the wire. Bend the tang outward and the terminal can be re-inserted in the plug. You MUST learn this to install a turn signal switch without cutting and re-splicing the wires! Most full-service auto parts stores will have these wire ends with the plug tangs available, but you must ask, because they are sold loose out of a "Dorman" rack of drawers behind the counter.
As Dave said, If you know what you want to do, a modified schematic can be designed.

[Dominick]

Well the only things that work are my windshild wipers and one taillight. So I need everything redone. I was looking to have someone do this with my because I do not want to pay a dime for labor with this project. I was thinking of ordering the wiring/shop book for this truck too. I only have one truck so there is no parts truck.

[Dave Young]

Is the wiring there and just not working or does it need all new wiring? Huge difference in cost. Is the truck still original? If so, we can look at my truck and see how it's supposed to be done. Where are you located?

[Dominick]

I am in Chicago, IL and it appears that the truck had an electrical fire and it's in original condition. Nothing seems to work at all... no radio, no headlights, no interior lights... nada. All of the wiring is still there, but it's a huge mess and I don't know where to begin.

[Dave Young]

D'oh! For some reason I thought you were in AZ. I'd be more than happy to come by and help you rewire that thing, but the Windy City is a little way out of my jurisdiction. That being the case, I think this is your best bet:

LMC Truck Catalog - Pg. 94

Right at the top in the middle. I strongly recommend getting the Factory Assembly Manual (Item #38-0402). That along with the Wiring Diagram (Item #38-0388) should give you everything you need.

[Dominick]

I was thinking about buying that book and thanks for the thought man. You'll see the truck someday. ;D

[riverracer]

Buy the book and wiring diagram, it's cheap and it will save tons of headaches!.. My view on wiring is, if you're restoring it to original then a factory harness is the way to go, but if your doing a custom deal I would get a universal harness from Painless or M.A.D, tell them what your plans are and they will supply what you need to make it factory like, no eliminating or adding wires for a custom deal. Or if you're a wiring whiz, just get a bunch of wire and terminals and go for it!...

[harryb]

I bought a wiring kit from EZ Wiring. A friend is going to help me install it, (he's done 2 or 3 of them).

[riverracer]

Looks like they have some good stuff!..

EZ Wiring

[bigdaddyslip]

I did a full Painless rewire on my truck. Here is my theory: if you take the cheapo way once you wil eventually have to do it again now you have done it cheaply twice and are soon looking at the same amount of money. I am by no means a rich dude but i would rather spend it right once. I rewired my truck in a day bumper to bumper with a painless kit and it was a breeze great PICTURE instructions and pretty colors and all the wires are labeled. unless you are going to concors with the truck do it with painless. write me if you have any questions......Oh the cramps are my all time favorite band and you get points for that...

[darren61]

american autowire check them out way better than painless plus its got everything labelled and its made for that truck decent prices too!

[Dave Young]

Jan 12, 2009 15:52:34 GMT -7 darren61 said:

american autowire check them out way better than painless plus its got everything labelled and its made for that truck decent prices too!

Awesome... I'll add it to the links page.