Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
08-18-2021, 04:44 AM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 950
|
Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Morning all!
After taking a good look at Woody’s harness I have decided to replace with a new one, the obvious choice being a Painless one. Have looked at the website and must admit I am being tempted by the Pro Series but $500 ish is pushing my budget BUT it does look like VFM. Question is, are there alternatives? Am I being blinded by the lure of Painless ad Dollars? Woody has an LS awaiting instal, will be with a GM computer and a stand alone harness to get him back on the road. Longer term I would like to go with a Holley Terminator but main aim is just to get back on the road. So… what am I missing? Any and all advice welcome. P.
__________________
Woody's Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658621 If it goes wrong, I blame the Internet... |
08-18-2021, 06:00 AM | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
American Autowire seems to be the favorite around here for this series trucks. Is it cheaper? No. But I think it's far more complete for our series trucks - https://www.americanautowire.com/sho...66-chevy-truck
__________________
Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
08-18-2021, 04:41 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Montevallo, AL
Posts: 272
|
I used a generic wiring kit from SpeedwayMotors. Used with the existing firewall plugs and grommets, it was a good install. Time consuming, but good. And the kit is just over $200..
Posted via Mobile Device |
08-18-2021, 05:24 PM | #4 |
It's Better With Nitro
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 2,262
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
I usually don't scrimp on complete re-wire projects. I kind of take the approach of do-it-once-do-it-right-since-it's-such-a-PITA-to-track-down-issues-later. LOL. I've used American Auto Wire and Ron Francis for past projects. For my C10, I used Ron Francis since I had several non-typical components to consider - Pontiac engine with crank trigger, air suspension, MSD Digital 6, Vintage Air system, high-pressure electric fuel pump with futures for fuel injection at a later date, etc. Ron Francis' harnesses are flexible enough to accommodate custom applications while handling all of the regular stuff, and they have awesome technical support.
__________________
1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes |
08-18-2021, 05:26 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ontario
Posts: 852
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
FWIW, I used the Kwikwire 14 circuit kit for my 51 (Carbed) rebuild, it worked great. Good quality, and good instructions.
I paid $340 about 2 years ago.
__________________
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=797726&page=3http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/...=797726&page=3 51 Chev 5 window on S10 with SBC 1958 Pontiac Wagon build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849781 |
08-18-2021, 07:09 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,597
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Having installed two American Autowire kits over the years, I recently ordered their #510089 Classic Update kit for my 69.
https://www.americanautowire.com/sho...-1969-72-truck Very nice components, A+ documentation, and top notch tech support! I got mine at Summit Racing because they had it for $575 minus a $25 dollar discount on anything over $500.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
08-19-2021, 12:15 AM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 1,735
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
I used the painless wiring kit for my 1968 C10. It was complete and took me about two days to do the install. It wasn't the cheapest by any means but it was very easy to install and the directions really helped.
While I'm partial to the Painless kit, but the overall favorite I've noticed does seem to be the American Autowire kits. I know there are some differences between the '68 and the 1960-1966 but they are similar enough. |
08-19-2021, 09:35 AM | #8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Dallas, PA
Posts: 551
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Quote:
The wires are GM color coded to make things easier I found the kit to be of good quality, and easy to use. |
|
08-21-2021, 10:22 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Kila mt
Posts: 445
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Quote:
Tech support is fantastic at AAW…. This is a photo of a Hwy 22 mounted on the back of the cab…no holes drilled in cab Last edited by MT65; 08-24-2021 at 11:14 PM. Reason: Add photos |
|
08-19-2021, 04:08 AM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 950
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Thank you for the replies Gentlemen, very useful feedback.
I have previously used the Painless kit and the Ron Francis one plus a generic £100/$150 unit, all of which had their positives and negatives. As Vin pointed out, I only really want to do this once - sort of a fit and forget - with enough additional circuits for futures. Will give the tech lines a call for Painless/American/Francis and see who fills me with the most confidence if I am considering spending North of $500. Appreciate the feedback. P.
__________________
Woody's Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658621 If it goes wrong, I blame the Internet... |
08-19-2021, 10:51 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,597
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Quote:
On the RF kit, the engine compartment wire bundles run through a hole in the firewall and are individually connected to the fuse panel on terminal strips. A negative there is if you ever want to remove the front fenders and radiator support as a unit, you can't just unplug the harnesses at a firewall connector. Not only that, but the RF kit uses cheesy insulated crimp connectors like you'd find in a hardware store to connect wires to the terminal strips. The RF kit I had was purchased around the year 2000, so things may have changed since then. However, I will say that RF support is very good. The kit I mentioned above was installed by a previous owner in a 55 Chevy car, and it had several issues. I called their support line and and spoke with Ron himself, who sent me an installation guide and other docs based on my fuse panel's serial number. One more thing about the latest AAW kits: They come with their #510476 alternator charging kit that uses 6 gauge wire, a bit of overkill unless you have a 140 amp alternator and lots of extra load, like a killer sound system. Sure beats the heck out of fusible links!
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
|
08-19-2021, 04:41 PM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: branchburg, new jersey
Posts: 568
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
i went with american autowire, very good quality , good diagrams, good company
|
08-19-2021, 05:12 PM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 950
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Got back from London early so made a few calls to the support desks of AAW and Painless.
Only managed to speak to Bob at AAW but was really impressed with his knowledge and his ability to answer my questions around using the loom with an LS, best bit was the he told me I could order it through Summit, save 10% and still use AAW directly for support. Soooooo.... Looks like. am going to be saving my pennies over the coming months to invest in the AAW wiring kit. Still a big investment at just under $600 but Woody is not going anywhere so feel as if it is a worth the expenditure. Still plenty to do before I get to the wiring stage but glad I asked the question and did a little research. Well done Gentlemen, well done. Onwards! P.
__________________
Woody's Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658621 If it goes wrong, I blame the Internet... |
08-19-2021, 05:26 PM | #14 |
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
I wish I had gone that way kind of. In past builds I have used Painless and Ron Francis (in different vehicles of course). Which is why I went the way I did.
I think you will be happier.
__________________
Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
08-20-2021, 01:45 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bury St Edmunds, UK
Posts: 215
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Paul - might be worth asking DTE, as he's in the UK and seems to know his onions:
https://www.facebook.com/Down-to-Ear...73996116246881
__________________
Barney, in the UK 1962 Chevy C20 1974 Ford Econoline 1987 Peugeot 205 GTi 1991 Peugeot 205 GTi |
08-21-2021, 04:01 PM | #16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Greer Sc
Posts: 252
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Used a speedway motors kit, no issues with install.
Everything labeled like it should be, it is a 22 circuit universal kit, wish I had gotten a 12 circuit kit instead is my only regret. So far everything I have hooked to it works like it should.
__________________
1964 C10 Rusto-mod 5.3L - L59 |
08-21-2021, 06:25 PM | #17 |
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,546
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
Great tutorial for the AAW harness for our trucks.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=762688
__________________
Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 support our troops! |
08-30-2021, 04:10 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,597
|
Re: Wiring kits. Alternatives to Painless?
A few things about universal/generic harnesses:
I installed an AAW "Power Plus" 20 universal harness in an 82 C10 back when it cost around $250. It was a nice kit and the installation turned out well, but I probably spent at least 10 hours just coming up with plans for fuse panel mounting, and instrument panel and washer/wiper connections. Thank goodness Ron Francis sells an instrument panel connector and terminals, because mine were in bad shape. Also, the rear lighting wires were not long enough even on a short bed truck. On the plus side, the kit wires used GM color codes and it came with GM turn signal and headlight connectors. But I would never use a universal kit again, at least not on a truck with a factory instrument panel and factory washer/wiper as complex as the ones on 73-87 trucks. Probably would be easier to install on a 67-72, but I'd spend the extra $270 or so for the Classic Update kit.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
Bookmarks |
|
|