Rear tail light electrical harness install question?

[Road_Runner]

I looked and didn't see a thread on this; I have a replacement tail light harness to put on my 73 Barracuda that will hopefully get my tail lights working so I can drive my car without worrying about being pulled over!  Before I start pulling the old harness off, pulling up the carpet, etc. does anyone know if I can replace this harness without pulling the dash?  I figured I would pull the front seat(s) to give me room to lay in the floor but if I have to pull the dash I'm going to hold off and do this when I tackle restoring the dash, dash pad, radio, etc. all at once.  Hopefully, I can do this on its own because its going to be a while before I can tackle the rest of the dash.

Thanks in advance, Jim

[Jamiez]

You can.

The main rear harness (which has the tail lights, the dome light, and the fuel sending unit) and the rear speaker harness both connect to the main harness behind the kick panel on the driver's side.

For the fuel sender, removing the muffler/resonator heat shield will give you better access.
If you are going to thread a new harness back there, it might be worth pulling the rear seat as there's a spot where mine always get stuck.

[Road_Runner]

You can.

The main rear harness (which has the tail lights, the dome light, and the fuel sending unit) and the rear speaker harness both connect to the main harness behind the kick panel on the driver's side.

For the fuel sender, removing the muffler/resonator heat shield will give you better access.
If you are going to thread a new harness back there, it might be worth pulling the rear seat as there's a spot where mine always get stuck.

Awesome, thanks for the tips!  It didn't even occur to me that the dome light is on the same harness, does it plug into the rest of the rear light harness or is it a permanent part?  The reason I ask is that I really wasn't looking to pull the headliner to put the harness in or can it be threaded up there without pulling down the headliner? 

Later, Jim

[burdar]

Pull the rear seat.  I'm not sure if you'll have to pull the DS rear interior panel or not.  You'll be able to tell with the rear seat back out.  Then remove the DS sill plate and kick panel.  You can just pull back the carpet and the metal harness protector to gain access.  Use dialectric grease on all your connections.

The domb light harness plugs into the tail light harness in the trunk....right behind the rear seat.

[Road_Runner]

Pull the rear seat.  I'm not sure if you'll have to pull the DS rear interior panel or not.  You'll be able to tell with the rear seat back out.  Then remove the DS sill plate and kick panel.  You can just pull back the carpet and the metal harness protector to gain access.  Use dialectric grease on all your connections.

The domb light harness plugs into the tail light harness in the trunk....right behind the rear seat.

That's a great recommendation on the dialectric grease.  I wouldn't of thought of that for internal wiring, but it couldn't hurt.  I appreciate the information, I really didn't want to start this only to realize I'd have to pull the car apart to finish the job.  I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

Later, Jim

[Jamiez]

I did it one night after work, and it took about 3 times as long as I expected....but I wasn't prepared to pull the rear seat or loosen the heat shield.  It's maybe a 2 hour job, less if you pull the rear seat/panel before starting.  The wire for the fuel sending unit, should have a grommet/body plug on it as it passes through the floor of the trunk. Getting the old one out wasn't that difficult but make sure your replacement harness has on.

[Road_Runner]

I did it one night after work, and it took about 3 times as long as I expected....but I wasn't prepared to pull the rear seat or loosen the heat shield.  It's maybe a 2 hour job, less if you pull the rear seat/panel before starting.  The wire for the fuel sending unit, should have a grommet/body plug on it as it passes through the floor of the trunk. Getting the old one out wasn't that difficult but make sure your replacement harness has on.

I'm probably going to have to figure out something on the body plug.  The first owner did her own fiberglass 'repair' to the trunk and the gas tank sender was just fiberglassed over.  Worst repair job I've ever seen!  I'll definitely pull the back seat, I'm a big guy and need all the extra room I can get.

Thanks again, Jim