How to clean up your under dash wiring?

[Sklptrljay]

I have a vacation coming up, and I was thinking about putting some sound/heat insulation in the cab during my time off. While I'm at it, and have everything out of the cab, I figured I would finally try to clean up the wiring under the dash. Not a rats nest, but not very organized either.

I have a stock harness, there are no heater or A/C hoses or box in the way. I removed them previously, as I will be installing aftermarket A/C in the future.

If anyone has done this and has some tips on how and where to route everything, I'd love to hear them. Pictures say a thousand words.

[Lou Boffa]

subbed

[WB72]

I think we all want a neater wiring harness under the dash, i have no real answers, but I have spent some time just tackling one wire at a time to make it more presentable for who ever looks under the dash.
My mess is typically non factory wires. all added by others in my family, so it was easier to decide to keep or modify the wiring.

Start with a bunch of wire connectors and shorten the excess length that is usually left by the original installer and re crimp the connectors.
Find a place to hang a zip Tie (Zap Strap) loosely under the dash, thread loose wires through the plastic tie.

Patients is a virtue, I am sure you will have it looking tidy in no time.

[jeffahart]

Start at the fuse panel and use loom harness tape; and as groups of wires split off for dash, ignition, ect... tape those together where they split from the main bundle. It never really gets super neat, there's too much in a small space. Just tape and push them up and out of the way as much as possible. I just did a rewire and taped everything but the wires coming out of my retro sound are still a bit of a rats nest. It's futile! Just don't use electrical tape, use the OEM style loom tape.

[harrisoncole4]

Interested in some miracle Solution

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by harrisoncole4

Interested in some miracle Solution

Unfortunately, there is none!

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by WB72

I think we all want a neater wiring harness under the dash, i have no real answers, but I have spent some time just tackling one wire at a time to make it more presentable for who ever looks under the dash.
My mess is typically non factory wires. all added by others in my family, so it was easier to decide to keep or modify the wiring.

Start with a bunch of wire connectors and shorten the excess length that is usually left by the original installer and re crimp the connectors.
Find a place to hang a zip Tie (Zap Strap) loosely under the dash, thread loose wires through the plastic tie.

Patients is a virtue, I am sure you will have it looking tidy in no time.

This seem to be accurate to under-dash neatness.
I fortunately had little outside of factory wiring to contend with. I added one wire and removed about 6 non factory wires.
I still need to clean it up more. If i ever find a 6 cyl. factory tach, I'll replace the aftermarket tach.

Bill

[Sklptrljay]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Start at the fuse panel and use loom harness tape; and as groups of wires split off for dash, ignition, ect... tape those together where they split from the main bundle. It never really gets super neat, there's too much in a small space. Just tape and push them up and out of the way as much as possible. I just did a rewire and taped everything but the wires coming out of my retro sound are still a bit of a rats nest. It's futile! Just don't use electrical tape, use the OEM style loom tape.

Can I get the OEM style loom tape from a local auto store?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

subscribed

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Can I get the OEM style loom tape from a local auto store?

You might find some at a good parts store. I ordered mine from brothers with some other parts. I think you pay double because of shipping if you only buy one roll of tape on the web. But maybe you can get in store delivery and save on shipping. I only found the flexible plastic conduit in stock at the chain parts stores.

Also, you tie off loop tape at terminations.

[jeffahart]

Main wire bundle taped off tight

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Sklptrljay

Can I get the OEM style loom tape from a local auto store?

I bought 2 rolls from Eastwood's about 10-12 years ago. I'm almost about to start the other roll.
Another old school trick I learned at aircraft electricians school in the military is to use waxed thread and cinch a length on the main bundle [ 2 half hitches or a 'choke' and long tails]. Then as you add lines you make a slipknot around the wire and cinch it up to the mother bundle. To disassemble, you need short scissors.

[jeffahart]

Hey! I still have a roll of that exact thread your talking about, and the curved needle. I kept it from when I was in the Army some 30+ years ago. Used to use it to field repair canvas on deuce and half's and GP mediums and such. 100 mile an hour tape only goes so far so fast!

Nice tip!

[Skinny Kid]

Wiring is one of the most overlooked parts of any classic car. The oem tape is good, but since it sounds like you aren't too concerned with originality 3M friction tape works well. I like it on custom builds because it has a nice look and feel and stays in place really well. Just take your time wrapping the harness. Also, try to use a few zip ties as possible and none of those insulated crimp connectors. Try to solder and heat shrink where ever possible. I always get vehicles in my shop that have daisy chained wiring with those connectors everywhere. Not only do they add resistance which adds up, but it just looks bad. If you have the cab that stripped down it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the harness with a new one like American Autowire. Not only is the quality top notch, but it will be all new including newer style ATC fuses, but also has circuits for A/C and other accessories you may want in the furure. Just my .02

[Sklptrljay]

Originally Posted by Skinny Kid

Wiring is one of the most overlooked parts of any classic car. The oem tape is good, but since it sounds like you aren't too concerned with originality 3M friction tape works well. I like it on custom builds because it has a nice look and feel and stays in place really well. Just take your time wrapping the harness. Also, try to use a few zip ties as possible and none of those insulated crimp connectors. Try to solder and heat shrink where ever possible. I always get vehicles in my shop that have daisy chained wiring with those connectors everywhere. Not only do they add resistance which adds up, but it just looks bad. If you have the cab that stripped down it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the harness with a new one like American Autowire. Not only is the quality top notch, but it will be all new including newer style ATC fuses, but also has circuits for A/C and other accessories you may want in the furure. Just my .02

Good ideas. I have a few of the insulated connectors, and they have heat shrink over them so they don't really stand out. I don't have the budget for a new harness right now, I thought hard about it when I was building the truck, but the factory wiring is in really good shape (California truck stored inside it's whole life).

I'll try the solder gun when I have the carpet out, sounds like a sleeker look.

I'll give the friction tape a try, thanks.