wiring and guages

[av8tr33337]

Sorry to post another wiring question in this forum. Had not gotten a response to this current question.

Has anyone had any experience using the ZZ-20 wiring harness from It's-a-snap wire and cable? "20,000 sold in the US" according to their website.

http://www.itsasnapwireandcable.com/

The "Ultimate Pack" is what I was thinking about going with for $495.00
Looks like you have to terminate the steering column terminals yourself. Everything is labled and numbered every 5 inches on the wire. It comes in a package kit to include elec. wiper kit, elec. window kit, complete wiring harness, and halogen headlights with built in LED turn signals. It also comes with all the sending units. All this for about the same as I would pay for just the 18 circuit truck harness at Painless. Is it "to good to be true?"



Also thier parent company TPI has some very reasonable guages. 5" quad with mechanical or programable Speedo for $310.00.



The programable Speedo has a ton of features. Single button easy to set calibration, trip odometer, Oil change reminder, hours traveled, speed warning indicator (I could see where that would be handy for my lead foot)

With the programable speedo I would also need a $35.00 wave generator that attaches to the tranny and replaces the mechanical speedo cable.

I called them with a couple of questions and they seem to have good support.
Are they to good to be true????? need feedback!

[Houston54]

You should have no problem with their wiring harness. Most of them work pretty well but the installation instructions often are not the most explicit.

As for the gauges I considered using TPI but went with Dolphin instead. That turned out to be a mistake as the lighting between the speedo and the gauge bucket are significantly different. Dolphin knows of this problem but continues to sell the product anyway. I have been told they are working on a fix but so far nothing has been offered. The functionality of the gauges is fine and they came with the sending units including the speedo. TPI should also include them.

My suggestion is to ask TPI specifically if the backlighting of their units is identical. They may be using the same units as Dolphin regardless of what they may say.

The price is certainly attractive but the quality is not the same level as Autometer or Classic Instruments.

Do a search on this forum for "Dolphin" and you will find my original thread on the subject.

[av8tr33337]

I checked Dolphin out and they seems to be pretty similar. I have a lot to do before tackling the guages but I will make sure I do my homework. Thanks for all the great info!!

[IvelDesigns]

i'm in the middle of my american autowire install and would have to say it's the kit to go for. right at $500 for the whole thing and is pre wired, labeled well and the instructions are litterally step by step. tells you what terminals you need to use etc. everything is included.

[solidaxel]

That is what I used 5 years ago and it was a "snap"
I have not replaced a fuse or battery and I use it every day and night.
The only question I have after reading a post from MAD enterprises is the hookup for the one wire alt. He makes some good points that I have not checked out as far as voltage drops are concerned. I am using releys for the fan and head lights so I don't think I have a problem, but some good points.

[av8tr33337]

Thanks Solidaxel, that was just the response I needed to convince me. I assume the kit has everything you need for the engine bay as well. Such as power to the ditributer, spark advance etc. One question though. I kept the computer from my donor camaro' but I'm taking all the smog crap of The engine is carburated, Will I actually need to computer?? Is there another module I'm going to need to monitor some engine functions. I'm pretty apprehensive about this whole wiring project but I havel got to do it myself.

[av8tr33337]

Thanks Solidaxel, that was just the response I needed to convince me. I assume the kit has everything you need for the engine bay as well. Such as power to the ditributer, spark advance, etc. One question though. I kept the computer from my donor camaro' but I'm taking all the smog crap off the engine and the engine is carburated. I have a 700R4 but will be ordering a control module for it so it does not need to be tied to the speedo. Will I actually need to computer?? Is there another module I'm going to need to monitor some engine functions. I'm pretty apprehensive about this whole wiring project but I havel to do it myself.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

Thanks Solidaxel, that was just the response I needed to convince me. I assume the kit has everything you need for the engine bay as well. Such as power to the ditributer, spark advance, etc. One question though. I kept the computer from my donor camaro' but I'm taking all the smog crap off the engine and the engine is carburated. I have a 700R4 but will be ordering a control module for it so it does not need to be tied to the speedo. Will I actually need to computer?? Is there another module I'm going to need to monitor some engine functions. I'm pretty apprehensive about this whole wiring project but I havel to do it myself.

The wiring will NOT be a problem but you will have to lose your electronic distributor and electric 4 bbl. carburtor, if those parts are computer controlled. What type of transmission do you have a 4L60e or a 700R4 the same but different!
When you are going to wire the truck just look at ONE (1) item at a time not the whole 20 circuits!
The engine will only have 3 parts, heat(water) oil, ignition, and the starter. the steering column if it is GM will have 1/2 of the wiring complete if it comes from a donor vehicle. There are plenty of drawings on the board to help you, it will be a "snap"
The rest of the items I am not familer with, EXCEPT the window kit. After installing his kit the next one i bought has the motor remote, or seperate from the virtical, The reason being that the door gets VERY narrow down at the bottom and it is critical that it be just the right length....
One of the best things you can do is plan your wire route,home runs, I don't like to see wiring exposed so I tried to hide everything, except the "spark plug wires!! It is your truck so you can put them where you like them!!

Your right do your homework, make your self a simple drawing that you understand. one item at a time and soon you will have a bunch of circuits, but you will not use all of them so you can substitute things, just keep track as they will not match the name on the wire.
Just ask there is someone on here that is willing to help,"We all need help"!!!