Rewiring a 66 - Can a dummy do it?

[Grizz1963]

I have been thinking about various jobs that need doing on the truck and one of them is a rewire, or a serious tidy up of the wiring.

Everywhere is an untidy mess.

So the question is ..... Can any idiot do a rewire successfully?

Are there wiring diagrams on the interweb ? I guess the answer is actually "yes"

My current engine bay, and under the dash is worse.

[Chance72]

Ive got everything to rewire my 65, diagrams and everything to do it. One day I took everything out and was gonna start wiring, but once I got into lookin at everything... I was just like Im just gonna have to get somebody to do it, cause I know I will screw it up. Not for a teen to try and do!

[Clyde65]

If you want it completely stock, yes any guy with some patience and some smarts can do it.
Just buy the harness you need, under dash and gauges, front harness to lights, etc. you can go to classic parts of America, or to AAW. CPofA sells the AAW harness. Gut the cab so you have room, remove everything that you can and take pictures and notes.

Good luck!
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[tincan1966]

Suggestions I will make- and I rewire trucks, cars, boats, trailers, etc for a living.

First inspect what you have and determin what you really need- are your sockets and pigtails reuseable? Some connectors are hard to find/replace. What switches work or need replaced? Test components like fuel sender, brake light switches, turn flashers, etc before ripping all the old stuff out. That way if you have a problem when done, you'll know if it was created during the rewire or an excisting concern.

Buy as complete a kit as you can find, including switches, relays, connectors, etc.
(recommendation: American Autowire Classic update series for example)
or
Buy OEM style replacement harnesses from places like Classic Chevy, etc- you can buy these for whichever part you need, like an underhood only, or an underdash.

Don't get fooled by evilnet pricing of $150 for a "complete" harness- it won't be complete- and you'll be frustrated and it'll never get done.

Most importantly, don't go at it with a pair of cutters and just start cutting wires. Take your time and identify what area you are working on, take pictures of how things are put together, so you can reassemble.

I will offer whatever help I can, as well as about any member here, but ultimately it depends on your confidence and patience. Wiring isn't for everyone, and no shame in having it done professionally- altho most don't want to pay what it's worth to do it, just like body/paint work.

[Kingjasn]

Although I agree with tincan, you CAN do it yourself. Keep in mind, I agree with tincan. I turn wrenches for a living, and I got my truck knowing that it needed wire issues taken care of. I took care of the major problems, and every one I fixed presented one or two more. Listen to what tincan says. One Friday after work, I decided to take care of nothing but electrical probs all weekend until they were ALL fixed. Well, I worked until about 1:30 am and had found more problems than I had fixed. Old wiring and brittle insulation made things very frustrating! By 2:15 every bit of wiring, the fuse block, and all were in a great pile of octopus and spaghetti sex. I bought a fuse panel and my boss likes me, so I had all the wire I needed. I had to buy the connectors myself though. Found a wiring schematic online somewhere, I may have it around if you need it... I will have to search a bit. Took the next Friday off work, and went to work. Sunday at about 6 pm I had everything tested and she fired off the first try. All that to say this, I STRONGLY AGREE with tincan on this. Get a harness and make sure it is a quality one!

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by Kingjasn

Although I agree with tincan, you CAN do it yourself. Keep in mind, I agree with tincan. I turn wrenches for a living, and I got my truck knowing that it needed wire issues taken care of. I took care of the major problems, and every one I fixed presented one or two more. Listen to what tincan says. One Friday after work, I decided to take care of nothing but electrical probs all weekend until they were ALL fixed. Well, I worked until about 1:30 am and had found more problems than I had fixed. Old wiring and brittle insulation made things very frustrating! By 2:15 every bit of wiring, the fuse block, and all were in a great pile of octopus and spaghetti sex. I bought a fuse panel and my boss likes me, so I had all the wire I needed. I had to buy the connectors myself though. Found a wiring schematic online somewhere, I may have it around if you need it... I will have to search a bit. Took the next Friday off work, and went to work. Sunday at about 6 pm I had everything tested and she fired off the first try. All that to say this, I STRONGLY AGREE with tincan on this. Get a harness and make sure it is a quality one!

I did mean to enphasize that YES most anyone CAN do it- the biggest mistake made is ripping everything out before knowing what works and what doesn't- which makes post installation troubleshooting a little tough.

[Kingjasn]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I did mean to enphasize that YES most anyone CAN do it- the biggest mistake made is ripping everything out before knowing what works and what doesn't- which makes post installation troubleshooting a little tough.

yeah, I think I left that part out, so for an addendum. If I were asked by someone to help them with an identical project I would help by telling them not to do it the way I did. I think I lucked out by getting it right the first time

[61_FL_Apache]

I agree with Clyde! Just take your time and ask questions "when" you need too!

[bmur66]

Can a dummy do it? I will let you know as I just ordered an AAW update kit from Summit. I was replacing the starter on my BBC and found the terminals and connections were old and brittle at the firewall. I looked under the dash and saw many years of " electrical enjuneerin" so I bit the bullet. Looks simple. Right?
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[Acksman]

I have a American Auto Wire part number 500560 on its way hopefully this week. They are building it now. I have never done anything like this, but the instructions they provide and all the threads I have found on this board so far should get it done. If not everyone has been very helpful on these boards.

[bmur66]

Originally Posted by Acksman

I have a American Auto Wire part number 500560 on its way hopefully this week. They are building it now. I have never done anything like this, but the instructions they provide and all the threads I have found on this board so far should get it done. If not everyone has been very helpful on these boards.

Did you order directly from AAW? I ordered from Summit. They had it in stock and it shipped immediately.

[66 C10 383]

I received my American Autowire 500560 kit earlier this week. I was imtimidated by the thought of rewiring my truck but the thought of watching it go up in flames after spending all the money on it I am scared me even more.

I opened the box to take a gander at the mysterious wiring I'd just bought ... only to be greeted by new switches included at no extra charge, instructions to wire up stock or updated items like steering columns, etc, and all the wiring separated into individual bags for different sections of the truck. If you replace small sections at a time, I think I can even rewire a truck ...

[cortcomp]

Just realize that most kits don't include ground wires, and that the wiper motor gets power all the time with key on, and the switch switches the GROUND connections, so those wires aren't usually included....There you go, just saved your a couple hours

[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by cortcomp

Just realize that most kits don't include ground wires, and that the wiper motor gets power all the time with key on, and the switch switches the GROUND connections, so those wires aren't usually included....There you go, just saved your a couple hours

Excellent tip!
Yes you will need to keep your harness that goes from the wiper switch to the wiper motor AND the one from the heater control to the blower motor resistor/heater blower fan. Those will not come in any kit. They are available, tho.

[Acksman]

I ordered directly from AAW. I needed the AC wiring as well and just went direct to make sure I got everything I needed. Know I paid a little more still pretty new at this.
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[Clyde65]

its better to pay a little more and get exactly what you need.

[Grizz1963]

18.30 in England.

Just in from work. Had a day with boss.

Thank you all for replies and input.

I get the feeling that I should be able to at least approach the job.

Most important will be actually just getting everything tidied up and tucked away after many years of Enjuneerin.
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[donthekawguy]

Classic has all of the separate harnesses. I got booth the rear done and will do the under dash next. It says they built them to factory specs and all the connections are labeled and plug and play. Sounds easy enough to me.

[Vernski]

Hey Grizz I say if you can walk and chew gum at the same time you got er' licked. The Classic Parts wire kits can be bought in sections, just replace the bad ones first it's not as expensive as the whole set if that's a concern. They are all labeled what goes where so anybody can do it except maybe a democrat. Just funning now good luck with your truck. Oh hey Don hows the blue flame running? Hope you got it back on the road..Vernski

[donthekawguy]

Originally Posted by Vernski

Hey Grizz I say if you can walk and chew gum at the same time you got er' licked. The Classic Parts wire kits can be bought in sections, just replace the bad ones first it's not as expensive as the whole set if that's a concern. They are all labeled what goes where so anybody can do it except maybe a democrat. Just funning now good luck with your truck. Oh hey Don hows the blue flame running? Hope you got it back on the road..Vernski

I drove it to work and it wouldn't start. I pulled the carb and I'm having a buddy rebuild it for me. He's also going to tune it for me. He has a 65 that runs like a top. I'm also going to put a new fuel pump on for cheap insurance.

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by donthekawguy

I drove it to work and it wouldn't start. I pulled the carb and I'm having a buddy rebuild it for me. He's also going to tune it for me. He has a 65 that runs like a top. I'm also going to put a new fuel pump on for cheap insurance.

Sometimes it rains Murphy's Law, I hope it lets up soon good luck has to be in the works one of these days..Vernski

[jbgroby]

uh....well I'm doing it, so it can't be that hard?

[bmur66]

I resemble that remark. My name is Murphy and I have a box full of real nice wires. But on a more serious note I got reading the directions and you start with the Dash harness and go from there. There are a few wires that require cutting to length and then crimping the terminal but mostly it's plug and play. I do need to find out what kind of crimping tool is needed.
Very complete set with new switches and everything. I didn't realize it also includes a new front headlight harness. There are provisions for almost everything you may want to add. It will be a big accomplishment when I am done. I have a few things to do before I tackle it but I think I can do it.

[jbgroby]

Bmer,

I went to sears and purchased a nice crimping and stripping tool for $15.00.It makes the required crimps. Some of the best information on wiring can be found on Jolly's old site.

http://6066gmcguy.org/

http://6066gmcguy.org/wire-tips.htm

On each crimp I make I make sure to saddle the split on the point to "press down and inward to gran and pince the wires, THEN I follow with a painting of acid Flux and solder, then I put rubber heat shrink.

Takes about 3-5 minutes per connection, but worth it as they may never fail.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

take pictures of how things are put together, so you can reassemble.

This can't be said enough. Taking pics is annoying and inconvenient sometimes but do it anyway. Sometimes I'm holding parts in my mouth, with my foot, and trying to take a pic one handed lying on my ear but when you look at a mess o' parts scratching your head you'll be glad you did.

Originally Posted by jbgroby

uh....well I'm doing it, so it can't be that hard?

You're a truck genius though. I've seen your build!