American Autowire (Classic Update) Crimping Tool ?

[66LSx]

Alright guys.... I'm away from the garage... and cannot find the info on their website....ANYONE exactly know what type of crimping method they use (and consequently the type of tool I will need?)

I know theres a few different kinds (insulated vs. non vs. pin)

I only have a wire stripper/crimper for insulated WHICH I think is the wrong kind from what I can make out in the pictures online.

[chevy_mike]

If you are looking at crimp tools that do the bare connectors, this is the style I have been using. It will do the "standard" type terminal (spade, bullet, etc.) and special ones like Weather Pack, etc. They are ratcheting and work very well but not cheap.

Found this on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Blue-Poi.../291162334918?

[chevy_mike]

Moved to Electrical area for hopefully more replies and ideas.

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Moved to Electrical area for hopefully more replies and ideas.

TY..... Hopefully a few experienced responses with AAW kits

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by 66LSx

TY..... Hopefully a few experienced responses with AAW kits

We sell AAW kits and the crimp tool that Chevy_Mike posted will do most all the terminals. I don't see a weatherpak, metripak dies.
I personally would not get a snap on or blue point one because you can only get the dies from them and they don't come around my area, but if they come by your place then go for it.

If you get a tool made by Paladin or Ideal many dies will fit them and you can get dies for just about any terminal.

Look for one that has the dies for
Packard 56 (AMP)
Delphi metripak, weatherpak
2 main dies, Packard 56 which is the AMP Die and Metripak/weatherpak should cover you on most all the terminals in a AAW kit. I use also a

if you got this one or one similar with the dies you would do all the terminals on your truck and a few others

http://www.msdignition.com/Products/...et_Action.aspx

I also use one like this for small terminals

http://www.toolsource.com/upfront-cr...-p-116558.html

and one like this for heavy ring terminals and non insulated
http://www.altex.com/Klein-Crimping-...6-P143508.aspx

[cableguy0]

I always crimped the terminals with a regular crimp tools. I installed around 10 of their harnesses. The only thing I did different was to solder everything after crimping. Yes it takes longer and might be overkill but my stuff wont ever have bad connections or loose terminals.

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

I always crimped the terminals with a regular crimp tools. I installed around 10 of their harnesses. The only thing I did different was to solder everything after crimping. Yes it takes longer and might be overkill but my stuff wont ever have bad connections or loose terminals.

$150+ for crimper tooling / die sets seems to be alot.

Curious if anyone else just used a normal 'crimper' and soldered afterwards.

[fun in dirt]

I've installed 2 kits without their crimper & the last one with it. It's definetly quicker & less frustration with their crimpers. They rent them too (charges $96 to your credit card, then reimburses all but $35? when send them back) if you wanted to go that route instead.

The key to it is the shape of the tool, so it will roll the edges of the connector to the center holding & the wires from both sides. You can get a crimper at Lowe's with something close to this & then I also had a very small pair of needle nose pliers & little screwdriver handy to make sure that would roll correctly & not flatten one side first...total PITA...just get their tool & be done with it!

http://www.americanautowire.com/view...ican-autowire/

[fun in dirt]

This video helped me get a visual with what a good crimp is supposed to look like

American Autowire - How To Properly Use A Crimp...

[66LSx]

Looks like the cheap alternative is a Sargent 1028CT ($35)

[66LSx]

$70... should do all of the $180 worth (both tools) from AAW I think tho....

SGT 18960 and ratcheting even too..

[fun in dirt]

Looks pretty good!

[Bigdav160]

I have one like this. At the time, I don't thing I spent more than $20 for it



$27 on Amazon

[Special-Ed]

amp and molex would be the most likely connector manufacturer... they have specific ratcheting crimpers for each style of connector. they will be in the 300 buck range with multiple dies for different sizes and styles...

crimping connections is not where you want to skimp and use generic crimpers... its a failure waiting to happen

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by Special-Ed

amp and molex would be the most likely connector manufacturer... they have specific ratcheting crimpers for each style of connector. they will be in the 300 buck range with multiple dies for different sizes and styles...

crimping connections is not where you want to skimp and use generic crimpers... its a failure waiting to happen

The 2 crimpers from AAW are Delphi crimpers and are only $180 total for both......$300 is absurd and borderline misleading

[Special-Ed]

Originally Posted by 66LSx

The 2 crimpers from AAW are Delphi crimpers and are only $180 total for both......$300 is absurd and borderline misleading

my point is proper crimpers are expensive and require the proper dies.... its not missleading. and most likelt delphi souces the actual connectors from molex or amp.

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by Special-Ed

my point is proper crimpers are expensive and require the proper dies.... its not missleading. and most likelt delphi souces the actual connectors from molex or amp.

My bad Ed... I missread thinking Packard 56 and Weatherpak vs molex or amp.....

Totally agree getting 4 nice dies plus a high end crimp tool should be 300...

My response time should be alll you need to know. (Saturday night... in the garage with a labtop/internet forum access..... you get the idea


I'm an idiot.... it will occur again

[Special-Ed]

Originally Posted by 66LSx

My bad Ed... I missread thinking Packard 56 and Weatherpak vs molex or amp.....

Totally agree getting 4 nice dies plus a high end crimp tool should be 300...

My response time should be alll you need to know. (Saturday night... in the garage with a labtop/internet forum access..... you get the idea


I'm an idiot.... it will occur again

As a Chicago native I forgive you. You are a cheesehead and you can't help yourself.
Go bears!!!!