Rewiring the 'Cuda - DONE - Price List

[RDF]

Ok all,  I'm sending out an SOS for those who live near Orlando to help me out.  I've come to the point in my wiring troubles (see thread http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=34675.0) where I think I need to just purchase the painless wiring harness and redo my whole car.  Anyone willing/wanting to help?  I don't think I will tackle this alone so I'm looking for all the help I can get.  I'd be willing to take advice through the thread as well, the same way I rebuilt my trani with TacTransMan.

SOS....please help.....

[74 340 4speed]

I'm not in your area, but as suggested in your previous thread, I would get the wiring from Evan's Wiring.  I purchased an engine harness from him for my 74 not too long ago, and it was plug and play, very simple.  I had one question about it, I gave him a call and Bill answered it in no time.  I would definately do a factory type harness replacement.  Those painless harnesses in my opinion aren't painless unless you know alot about wiring and like to cut and splice.  I hate wiring more than anything else when it comes to working on cars, so I like to keep it simple.   

[ViperMan]

Yeah the painless kit leaves a lot out, in fact the one I saw was only for the dash - nothing for the engine such as alternator, coil, distributor, modules, etc.

I really wish I was near ya, 'cause I'd help you in a heartbeat - I love wiring!  I just got finished redoing my engine bay.

I'm assuming you have a diagram by now?  That's always the first step.  If you need help/tips/pointers, don't hesitate to ask.

Jeff

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I wish I lived closer too. I love popping fuses.  So you are giving up on getting on a waiting list from Year One?


  Mike

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I'll help man. I'm no wiring guru, I do know a decent amount to probably be helpful in some areas. I'm free most weekends  Interesting on the engine harness, thats something I'm not up on is how they wire it at the factory for the ignition. I can wire up a MSD box though  (snowball rolled a hair) 

[RDF]

Thanks for all the hints thus far....a couple of reasons I was going to go with painless was because they seemed cheaper and I can get the whole wiring set for my car for $429.99.  Here's summit's description of the harness:

Complete from headlight to taillight.
Painless Performance 12-circuit Mopar muscle car Wiring harnesses consists of a new chassis designed harness for use on 1966-76 Mopar muscle cars. These harnesses includes a pre-terminated fuse block and high temp, color coded wire. Complete wiring from headlight to taillight.

A/C, heat, brake lights, coil, horn, emergency flashers, dash instruments, headlights, radio (constant and ignition hot), turn signals, wipers, dome light, tail lights, third brake light, charging and starting all included.

I also spoke with a guy at painless who owns a challenger and he said to go with Painless part# 10127 vs the other one because 10127 doesn't have the bulkhead connector, therefore reducing the amount of connections that could wear out again in the future.  He also said they make a block-off piece for the hole-to-be left behind from the bulkhead connector....but he said there were only 2 things that I would have to do that may give me small trouble which was wiring the switch for the heater and lights.....other than that he said it was pretty easy.  He didn't sound like he was pushing me to buy so I think he was being legit.

I called Evans and I think they said their's is on back order too...but I'll double check that.

At any rate, here are my options (from what I can think of):

A.) cut back the existing wires, replace them, and put it all back together and hope nothing else goes wrong (which 90% tells me nothing will go wrong). Price: $40.00 for wires and connectors at most.

B.) get just the dash harness, new, and replace just that. Price: $640.00

C.) Get a used harness from ebay and configure it to work. Price: ??, conversion kit for ralley to non-ralley dash: $29.99

D.) Get the painless wiring system for my whole car, use existing connectors where I can and make it work. Price: $429.99

E.) ?

I'm to the point where I want to do this and do it right, even if it's just replacing the wires and hoping it all works.  Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciate.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

A.) cut back the existing wires, replace them, and put it all back together and hope nothing else goes wrong (which 90% tells me nothing will go wrong). Price: $40.00 for wires and connectors at most.

In my opinion, its o-l-d wiring. If you are at a point where you can replace the harness, one way or another. I'd get rid of it. Anything that is a necessity on my car is either a new harness (which i bought a Y.O tail light harness before) or upgraded (relays/new heavier wiring, amp gauge bypassed, etc)

B.) get just the dash harness, new, and replace just that. Price: $640.00

Way too much money to spend to just get a dash harness. (again, in my opinion). For the money the painless is much further ahead than any new stock harness. Accepts modifications, most things wired onto relays, no bulkheads. The time spent on the painless to get working is very worth while for the entire car, rather than just the dash.

Get a used harness from ebay and configure it to work. Price: ??, conversion kit for ralley to non-ralley dash: $29.99

Buying another 30+ year old set of wires and connections wouldn't really be worth the time to replace it, to really just 'band aid' the old wiring.

D.) Get the painless wiring system for my whole car, use existing connectors where I can and make it work. Price: $429.99

   That should cover the bases very well. Anything else we need, i think we could make it work.


All in my opinion!!! 

[ViperMan]

Rewiring the engine bay cost me about $100, and left me with plenty of wire to start doing dash circuits if/when needed.

I'll always agree that buying aftermarket wiring harness might be "painless" and easy, but there's no better satisfaction IMO than running the wires yourself, making it look the way you want it to look, and building a professional kit at half the price.  Man the smile on my face when I turned that key and that engine fired back to life after I buried myself under the hood for nearly a week...

$430 bucks for some wire and connectors, man that's just a lot.  But again that's just me - most people hate wiring!  Good luck with whatever you decide.  But I agree with not doing the ebay thing, unless you can find a new aftermarket set that might save some money.

Jeff

[RDF]

Rewiring the engine bay cost me about $100, and left me with plenty of wire to start doing dash circuits if/when needed.

I'll always agree that buying aftermarket wiring harness might be "painless" and easy, but there's no better satisfaction IMO than running the wires yourself, making it look the way you want it to look, and building a professional kit at half the price.  Man the smile on my face when I turned that key and that engine fired back to life after I buried myself under the hood for nearly a week...

$430 bucks for some wire and connectors, man that's just a lot.  But again that's just me - most people hate wiring!  Good luck with whatever you decide.  But I agree with not doing the ebay thing, unless you can find a new aftermarket set that might save some money.

Jeff

Feel like taking a vacation in sunny Orlando, FL??    I'd pay for you plane ticket, you can stay at my pad (got a nice pool and everything)   

I (unlike you) don't like wiring all that much, but I'm hoping that will change after this project.  Hey, if I rebuilt my trani (904) with TacTransMan online, and that was the first time I ever did a trani, then I think I can do this. 

But really, I've got an extra bedroom and 2 chocolate labs that will swim with you....

[gomopar440]

My brother found this company when he rewired his 42 Dodge Panel truck. http://ezwiring.com/
He used the EZ-21 kit ($185) which looks just about the same configuration as the last Painless Wiring kits I used on my 68 Power Wagon and my 70 Challenger. The difference is that the EZ kit is about $200 cheaper than the Painless kits I had used. Same amount of work to install it, but at half the cost.

I still have yet to install my EZ-21 kit on my 72 Challenger, but I've got quite a way to go before I'm ready to start on the wiring.

[RDF]

My brother found this company when he rewired his 42 Dodge Panel truck. http://ezwiring.com/
He used the EZ-21 kit ($185) which looks just about the same configuration as the last Painless Wiring kits I used on my 68 Power Wagon and my 70 Challenger. The difference is that the EZ kit is about $200 cheaper than the Painless kits I had used. Same amount of work to install it, but at half the cost.

I still have yet to install my EZ-21 kit on my 72 Challenger, but I've got quite a way to go before I'm ready to start on the wiring.

WOW.....just checked out the site....looks good....the only thing I'm a little worried about would be the tech support on their items......maybe I'll call them tomorrow and see.....looks good though....

[RDF]

Well I just called them and we're in luck because they are located right outside of Daytona Beach, which is only about 1 hour from me.  I spoke with Shawn and he seems real nice on the phone and spoke to me in detail about their products.  I will be returning the Painless wiring system and buying their EZ-18 for $185.00.  This way I will have more circuits in the future for other items if needed AND it's not a mini-fuse box, it's a full size one. 

IF anyone has anything bad about EZ, let me know, but I think it's a good deal. 

[R/T]

RDF, let me know how this works out. I like the look of their kits and am thinking of going with the EZ20 mini kit

[budrinker]

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000278a~Z5Z5Z5AAACL~P399.95~~~~S1TK10AOFP71200723735a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000278a                   


real easy real nice

[4Cruizn]

If you're buying plane tickets, I'd fly Chryco in and all your worries will be gone.     Just stock up on root beer and cheese burgers and that'll do it!