FSJ Wiring Harness Recommendations??

[blakeusa]

Looking for recommendations on replacing the dash and engine wiring harness in my 71 J4000 w/ AMC 401, & electronic ignition.

Painless makes a waterproof unit 12 circuit, but the price is PAINFUL around $400. Universal units are still 300-$400. Z&M seems to make one for newer FSJ's, but again seem to be more universal??

No plug in solution yet???
Are they worth the money for the reduced install or hassle time?

How long does it take a mortal to install?

Recommendations please?

Thanks, Blake

[Wagoneerlover]

I just did a re-wire job with a universal harness. Check out the thread here:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=58393


It wont take long if you can muster up a few good days where all you do is work on the re-wire. However if your rig is your daily driver and you don't have another vehicle to drive while doing the re-wire then maybe you had best leave it alone. It is tedious work and time consuming and if you dont have patience then maybe you don't want to get into it. Secondly while under the dash you will probably notice other things that you dont like or would like to change etc. This will add extra time and the need for more parts runs.. I would say I invested about two weeks worth of time in the install, and that was working on weekends only so a total of about 12 days (For me) For a direct swap and install maybe a week??. Besides that I didnt invest all of my time to it when I did have free time, and to add to that I started getting into other projects like making a custom dash panel and I got sidetracked by that as well as other things.

[babywag]

I rewired my '73 wag with '79 wiring from a truck I parted out.

VERY easy, everything goes to the same place, uses similar plugs etc. etc.

Personally I'd find a good donor and get the whole harness.
WAY cheaper and easier to install.
Converted to a GM alternator, and Duraspark ignition @ the same time as well.

[95steel]

Just ordered the BJ's wiring harnes for my 79. Will let you know how it goes.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Almost have my 86 J10 rewired with this harness: http://www.gasalleystreetrods.com/Wiring.html It is very easy to work with and quality is very good.

[donwag]

I re-wired my '82 Chero using a Ron Francis Wiring kit. They are a hod rod custom wiring outfit. I liked it, and it took me about 2 days for an end to end re-wire. Priced about the same as Painless Wiring kits. However, Ron Francis will customize the kit to your specs.

If you are good with automotive electronics, just go with any kit or harness that has good quality components.

If you are a rookie at this, go with a name brand or buy a replacement harness. Ron Francis, Centech, Painless all have very good instructions and a tech line.

[letank]

Originally Posted by babywag

I rewired my '73 wag with '79 wiring from a truck I parted out.

VERY easy, everything goes to the same place, uses similar plugs etc. etc.

Personally I'd find a good donor and get the whole harness.
WAY cheaper and easier to install.
Converted to a GM alternator, and Duraspark ignition @ the same time as well.

this seems the most cost effective, check your local craigslist.org.... good late wagoneer, w blown engines or slipping trannies are always on sale.... i got my project for $250 for parts (and testing improvements) ..... and it is now a driver... it was just a few seals (RMS, TC seals), after 10kmiles... it is burning a lot of oil... so it will be a body donor for the 74 (too many holes, no watertight anymore)

[Jubbs74]

I would say go Painlesss (that is such a lie of a name when talking about the price), I re-wired my old 79 J truck front to back with their kit. I did it on the side of the street out side of my apartment complex, only using a utility knife and needle nose pliers. The only problem I had was that i didn't take my time and I wired one of the rear brake lights to the running light so when I hit the brakes the light got dimmer, it was funny. I think that the Painless kit was well worth the money, the wires come labled and a good diagram is provided, you also get a new fuse box with plenty of extra termanals.

Good luck what ever you choose.
RJ

[PlumCrazy]

Look for a CJ wire harness kit from Painless or on da'Bay. I did mine from scratch with just a PartsMaster fuse panel and I would not suggest that route if your not fond of "electric spaghetti"

I found a CJ harness on da'Bay for 50 bucks, new a box for the 65/6J

Wayne S

[Kimbrough]

Check out Z&M Jeeps. Here ya go:
http://www.zmjeeps.com/harness.php

[joe]

Originally Posted by Crazy_Jeepman

Almost have my 86 J10 rewired with this harness: http://www.gasalleystreetrods.com/Wiring.html It is very easy to work with and quality is very good.

Pete, didn't you also use one once from EZ Wiring with good results?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally Posted by -joe

Pete, didn't you also use one once from EZ Wiring with good results?

Nope only one I had is from Its a Snap, I had a set of Quad Gauges I bought from an EZ wire distributor and posted that web addy several times though. I do know one member that bought and used one from EZ wiring and it is pretty much the same as what I have. It worked very good for him as well.

[8379qtj10]

I pulled one from my 79 parts rig
Paid 150.00 for the whole truck
so I got all three harnesses

[blakeusa]

Painless @ $450 vs Ez2wire @$200-- big price difference...... any comments-

PS thanks for all the other ideas.

[Poley]

Painless for $365 for the 10104 kit 12 curcuit is pricy but maybe worth it?
would like to find one cheaper and user freindly

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally Posted by Poley

Painless for $365 for the 10104 kit 12 curcuit is pricy but maybe worth it?
would like to find one cheaper and user freindly

Well mine cost 128.00 and wires everything from front to the rear and everything in between. It comes with instructions and diagrams as to what pin is what on the steering column and light switch, every wire is marked every 4" as to where it goes. Only thing I see that is going to take extra work is the switch to heater and switch to wiper motor wiring, as this harness does not take the wiring to them. It only wires to the switch, though I have not uncoiled the last coil of wire, so maybe it is there, I just have not gotten that far yet. I don't think wiring is going to be EASY or Fun on a good day, but paying big $$$$ for a harness would make it worse.

[blakeusa]

Where did you get the inxepensive harness? The cheapest I have found is $200

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally Posted by blakeusa

Where did you get the inxepensive harness? The cheapest I have found is $200

I posted this a few posts up, but here it is again. http://www.gasalleystreetrods.com/Wiring.html

I see EZ has a comparable one for about 150.00

[Herk]

Do the later instrument clusters have the same connector/pinout? Column switch ignition will have a different connector, headlights will be the same, wipers (pre-delay) should be similar. 73 and later dash harnesses were saddled with the ammeter wiring. At some point didnt Jeep go to a bulkhead connector and seperate engine and dash harnesses? A later harness would gain you a fuse block as opposed to the inlines (really nice if you have A/C). If you decide to adapt a universal harness to your existing instrument cluster connector, solder and shrinkwrap all the wire splices. Dont even think about crimp connectors. In fact if I could offer one piece of advice it would be to avoid crimp connectors whenever possible. Just how far gone is your original harness? If you start out by fixing the hackery of previous owners you may be able to save most of it.