Packard & GM Wiring

[Guest BigKev]

I finally got my Kwik Wire harness kit in the mail today to start the rewire on my Clipper. One I noticed was that alot of the wiring color codes are the same. The Kwik Wire kit follows GM wire coloring. Just found it interesting that a lot major system wires are the same. Did all car makers of the era adopt similar colors codes for the major systems?

[WCraigH]

Big Kev,

How many circuits in this kit? Gotta URL link to the manuf and your kit?

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Can someone tell me how to disassemble the Packard wireing connector like the one in the pic attached to this post. In the pic is an assembled unit and in the background is the guts from another one. I can't figure out how to take it apart.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

My '29 and '37 harnesses only had Red and Black. What else Do You Need? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Those electrons don't care what color wire they're goin thru. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Hey, just do one wire at a time and you'll be Find. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My guess on the connector is that there is a tab on the internal metal part that is locking in a grove in the outer plastic part, that is released by inserting a thin blade along beside the wire to compress the terminal tab and pulling it out side with wire.

[Guest Randy Berger]

Rick is correct - a small thin screwdriver will push the tab aside and allow you to pull out the wire with tab attached.

[Guest BigKev]

Since you asked, here is the low-down on the kit I purchased:

I got the Kwik Wire 22 Harness.

http://www.kwikwire.com/Wire%20harnesses%201.htm

I have been looking at a lot of different ones and this one was just the right mix of features and price. I got it a little cheaper from one of their ebay dealers ($209).

Relays are on-board and it has a stainless cover over the fuses. I also liked the kill switch on the fuse box. It comes with headlight pigtails, and most of the standard GM, Ford, and Mopar column connectors (not that I am going to be able to use any of them), and Alternator plugs. It also uses a Mega-Blade Fuse instead of a fuseable link on the main battery feed, which I liked. They also include alot of terminals to make the connections with, grommets, mounting bolts, and even speaker wire for the radio.

Wiring is pretty beefy, and very well marked. The instruction booklet could be better, but all the information is there. I called them to ask a wiring question and there were very helpfull on the phone.

Overall at first inspection (not having installed in yet) I give the kit an A-. If the Instruction manual was a little more organized, then I would have given it an A+.

A friend directed me towards this kit. He works for Boyd Codington (yeah I know Hiss, Hiss, Boo, Boo) and he was on several episodes on American Hotrod. Anyways he said they use these kits quite a bit and have had good luck with them.

I plan on trying to follow the original wiring diagram as close as possible as far as routing the wires. Not sure if I want to use harness wrap (basically wide electrical tape) like original, or just use black flex loom tubing which is easier. Still debating back and forth.

So thats my review. Obviously this kit is for people looking to move away from the original Packard wiring system. It his case my existing wiring is shot, and since I am going 12 volt, and adding power windows, locks and A/C down the road, this kit made sense for me.

Everyone should do their own research and find the kit that best kits their needs.