Wiring

[1964cj6]

so my jeep is very old and has had at least three different owners, so due to the age of my wires its time to bite the bullet and rewire. so my question is should i put the time in and make my own, or shell out the cash and buy a painless. and is there any other company that makes a pre-made harness that is under five hundred dollars.

[dc_sniper9130]

should you? depends, how electrically inclined are you? does electrical work scare or intimidate you? if yes, get a painless. if not, then DIY.

i'm going to DIY. all the parts I need plus a dozen hundred-foot spools of wire (varying sizes/colors) will only cost about $450. plus, then you can do it however you want and make it expandable for stuff you plan to put on later.

[JeepHammer]

I used MUCH better wire, and had the opportunity to solder/seal up all connections on my little Jeeps when I rewired them myself.

Everything that comes from the firewall bulkhead connector into the engine bay is very straight forward and easy to change.
The new terminals for the bulkhead connector are cheap and easy to get,
And you get the opportunity to use better grades of wires, connectors, run the harness in a manner that keeps it safer and/or makes it more efficient.

You have to remember, there are only a few wires in that harness, most of which are VERY common,
Usually undersized (example is 16 Gauge to headlights), and you can change that as you go...

All it takes is TIME,
Time to learn how to use proper crimping tools,
Time to learn how to solder things correctly,
Time to seal up the joints/connectors as you go so you don't have 'Issues' again in the next 25+ years...

If you need help with your wiring,
I'd be glad to post the explanations of how/what to do for your SPECIFIC issues as you encounter them,
So you wind up with the best possible outcome.
It will make a very good article for the forum also...

[1964cj6]

I'm not shakey about my ability I have taken electronic classes and I am an assistant manager at an auto shop, the issue I have is is it worth my time to DIY or buy a pre made harness. I like that it is an older vehicle so the system is not very complicated it's just a matter of how much time I want to spend I guess if you look at it it will plobably take only a few extra hours if I DIY, but this will be a bumper to bumper rewire. Idk I just like to get input from others and what they have done.

[frank c]

I have an 81 CJ5 with the engine out of it right now and plan to rewire most likely everything myself as soon as I pressure wash the engine compartment and undercarridge it will be the next project before the rebuild goes back in it.
I'm looking foward to it as its LOOKING pretty sad from the P.O.
I did my 34 ford street rod from the ground up with just basic knowledge and it worked out fine.

[CSP]

New wiring harness for way under $500. They aren't cheap crap either. I've used these a couple of times and what you're not paying for is some name that everyone thinks is made of gold.

Wiring Harness

[jeepdaddy2000]

I've done this on multiple ECJ's. In my opinion, your not going to save a lot of time using a pre manufactured loom over doing it yourself since you have to still sort and connect the wiring. ECJ's are very simple and straight forward. The biggest thing is to install a spade style fuse box and eliminate the in line fuses. If your fairly confident in your abilities, the best course of action is to scoot down to the U pick yard and pull a full loom from a pick up truck. Mid 60's to early 80's seem to be the best combination of extra circuits without being overly complicated. These looms usually set you back about 20 clams. Pull your dash, mount the block, and begin to wire your vehicle. The fuses are labeled in the box, and with the minimal amount of stock circuits needed, the new fuse block can provide extra fused power leads for radio's, lights, etc....
Speaking of extra circuits, now is also the best time to map out any additions or upgrades, such as HEI ignitions, internally regulated alternators, gauges, amps, and spare (especially interior) lights.
Here is a diagram from the earlycj5.com site.
This is for the 4
http://www.earlycj5.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/CJ_With_F134.pdf

here is one for the V6
http://www.earlycj5.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/CJ_With_V6.pdf

Here is the page with other diagrams
Electrical Earlycj5.com
If you do the HEI upgrade, you will want to go to a heavier wire to the distributor and eliminate the ballast.
Remember to tape and insulate all your runs(you should be able to snag a bunch of the black corrugated snap on plastic covering when you pull the loom)
With a little patience, you should be able to do the entire rig under $100.00
Feel free to tell us what your long term plan is and we will be happy to help lay out your runs and wire gauges.

[alex211]

How about a new harness for $100, this is the one I plan on using and apparently the quality is very good.

Universal 14 circuit wiring harness.

[rishar1]

The EZ wiring harness is a good quality harness. All the wires are labled the entire length and they use proper size wire for whatever they hook into.

[1964cj6]

WOW thanks a bunch for the tips on the ez wiring harness definatly going to pick me up one of those and get this thing crackin

[Lifesgoodhere]

? $10 for 100 foot roll of 14GA. choose color. $13 for 12 GA. 5 different colors. $95. Add a universal 6 slot fuse box. Add about 10 hours time. Blister packs of connectors and heat shrinks total $25.

Cheaper and much less of a head ace making it yourself. I tried a wiring harness that was premade. took way longer and confused myself trying to figure it out....

Save the headace and make it yourself. My 2 cents.