Wiring Harness

BigKev · May 18th, 2005

Has anyone used either the "EZ-Wiring" or "It's A Snap" brands of universal wiring harnesses? They both are in the same price range and offer about the same features. I just wasn't sure which one is better than the other.

imported_Speedster · May 19th, 2005

I think it was an EZ-Wiring's harness that I used in my '37 Streetrod. It is an 18 fuse, GM connectors, type. I got it on eBay at a very low price. It doesn't include circuits for things like power windows and door locks But it is a well made harness with good labeling all along length of wires.

BigKev · May 19th, 2005

How is the wiring gauge on the harness? Some of the cheap-o harness use very thin guages of wire.

imported_Speedster · May 19th, 2005

Wire sizes are designed for 12.volt system, and are great for that. But wouldn't be good for 6.Volt system. The only problem I could see is that if you you have high current halogen headlights and fog lights, larger gauge wire and a relay may be needed to wire them directly to battery and activate the relay with dash light switch.
The wire has high quality insulation. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...ins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Since they come with Horn relay already wired in, that's one less relay you will need to worry about.

imported_Speedster · May 19th, 2005

The Universal type, 20 fuse, harnesses are made differently than the one I got, But they look like the quality is the same. The one I have has the flashers mounted in the fuse block and only had GM steering column connectors (for Ignition, turnsignals, flasher, etc).
Since these harnesses are designed for steering column mounted Ignition switch connection, you may have to lengthen these wires to make them fit, if you plan to use stock switch. I used a Caddy tilt column in my '37, so I didn't have that problem. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/cool.gif" alt="" />

BigKev · May 19th, 2005

Yeah I plan under running relays for the headlights. Not only does it take the high amp load off of the harness and switch, but then you can run 12/14 gauge wire for lamps and you usually end up with brighter lights due to less resistance.

imported_Speedster · May 19th, 2005

Yep, it's always best to get the high current loads onto relays and off the expensive and hard to replace parts.

Twitch · May 20th, 2005

Rhode Island Wire looks to be a good source for a harness too....

imported_Speedster · May 20th, 2005

Yes, 'Rhode Island Wiring' is one of the best for Original style harnesses, but 'Painless' and 'EZ-wiring' are the best for Universal Streetrod type harnesses.

Mr.Pushbutton · May 21st, 2005

Yes, Rhode Island wiring is great if you are restoring to original (watch what happens to your 6V car with a new harness--it will amaze you how well everything works) One word of advice--don't buy your harness from a "menu" or catalogue (i.e. "1937 120 sedan"). Take your harness off the car and send it to Rhode island for duplication. Manufacturers like Packard made running changes thru-out the series run, and the harness they copied before may not be YOUR harness, despite the fact that both cars are "the same year/model car". While they are at it, you can have provisions (= extra wires) for turn signals, custom things like inverters for modern audio, etc. It's not much more $$$, and makes those mods easier. The streetrod/heavy mod/gotta-change-it crowd have their own tier of suppliers, and your options are very open there, as long as you are going 12V. Oh yes, sometimes "I'm just replacing the wiring harness turns into "I'm doing a body-off restoration"--watch it!