74 Chief Restore

[bkilby]

After we verified it's going to work as planned, we started making the harness but didn't like the way the factory ran the wires through those tiny slots in the tailgate and door jamb. All of my wiring is ran inside the vehicle, not down the frame rail. We tried it the factory way but decided to make a change.

This is the start of the harness as we figure out where to add a connector.










I decided to borrow an idea that Jeep used in my JK and run the wires external and NOT in those goofy slots provided.



Passenger door wiring for electric windows, heated and power mirrors.







The harness for the tailgate....







I figured if these wires don't bother me, and haven't for many years, I'll be ok with this on the FSJ too.


So what this means is cutting and welding....

[bkilby]

I used the scrap tailgate to slice open and see just how hard this was going to be. I knew it was double walled so used it as the guinea pig. I cut a 2" wide by 3" long hole, just big enough for this piece of 2" square tube to fit. You can see how it's constructed.













After verifying it was going to work, I started cutting my tailgate. Measure, cut carefully, weld square tubing in place, cut excess tubing off (it was needed for the ground clamp), clean it up and paint. The actual opening where the wires go through is 1" tall and 2" wide. The rest of the channel is to secure the wires and allow gradual bends without kinking the wires. When I get around to making the carpeted panel for the tailgate, it'll be cut to accommodate and the harness will be secured to the left, just inside the tailgate opening.

[SOLSAKS]

great idea

and the work is very professional and neat.

jeep should have done it this way back then......

dave in NC

[rang-a-stang]

That is WICKED Brad! I love it!!!

[cu4whln]

Dammit Brad ...

You are making extra work for ME now.

[bkilby]

Lol. Thanks guys. Jim, you should have seen this coming. The plan was to get the wiring done yesterday but my guy never showed up. Called him last night to find out he's taking a seasonal job with UPS so this might get delayed even longer. Unless he shows up today....
Either way, it'll get done.

[J76137]

Originally Posted by cu4whln

Dammit Brad ...

You are making extra work for ME now.

I feel that same way! I should spend more time on here. I already painted the tailgate and have it ready for installation and then I see this thread update. I almost want to go back and cut out part of my tailgate and do this very thing to it. This is what I get for not staying up to speed on things.

[bkilby]

Some final pics of the wiring. This is a pic of the inside of the tailgate showing how far down the tube sits. Could have gone lower if needed.








Used a clamp to hold the wiring from trying to slide in and out.








The inside of the Jeep is secured with a footman's loop.













Working on getting the window in and adjusted. My old window had the stainless trim around the edge of the glass and really tore up all the new seals we put in a couple of years ago. Especially the side glass channels. Like, darn near cut them in half. Lol. Gotta get new ones again.

[78 WIDETRAC]

That looks Great! Your Jeep has a lot of custom bits. Very cool!

[bluehwy]

My goodness, my Guinness! Brilliant!!!

[bkilby]

Thanks 78 WIDETRAC and bluehwy.


I was able to finally drive this rig home again yesterday. My gas gauge was reading a tad under 1/2 tank but we've never really checked the accuracy of the gauge since putting the new one in. so I figured I'd go to the gas station and pump 5 gallons in. Oh yeah, we changed the filler spout to the one cu4whln sent a couple of months ago. This one had the vent tube connecting to the top instead of the side like the old one. With the old one, you did the typical FSJ gas fill dance. Hold it up high, barely squeeze the trigger and let the gas drip in while you stood one one leg. Anything faster than a trickle was shutting the nozzle off or kicking gas out on your shoes. With this new one, I dumped 5 gallons in at full speed without stopping. Woohoo! It's the little things in life that make you happy. Lol. Well, except my gas gauge went down closer to a 1/4 tank.


The rear window is done. Works great! Well, I think I need a little more adjusting done but I need new wipes from BJ's before I mess with it more. Got around to mouting the MIB ABS interior panels too instead of having them slide around the back area. It's just the plastic panels but they'll get upholstered one of these days. Got the stereo all wrapped up too. Man it sounds good. Besides all the panel clips rattling that is. Lol.



Maybe over the winter I'll get the front axle rebuilt (new steering) and wrap up the drive train. One thing I hate right now is that Detroit Locker. You can't make a turn without barking the tires. Don't even think about stabbing the gas pedal hard in a turn. Oh well, maybe Santa will be me some selectable lockers to put in....

[SOLSAKS]

the tailgate wiring re-fab is awesome.

dave in NC