The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am working with a friend to restore a '70 Dodge Challenger. He intends to put a lot of money into the car and make it a showcar that he can also drive around town. To make a long story short, all new wiring is needed. I want the wiring to look really good, showcar good. How should I replace the wiring -- should I buy a harness from a vendor to install. Cutting wire individually could be tedious and hard to match. Can anyone recommend a good vendor - place to buy wiring harnesses that look as good or better than the origional?

You can get reproductions of the original harness from places like Year One.

The trouble with the original wiring is the very poor bulkhead connector and the fact that all power goes through one spade to the amp gauge and back out again. The spade usually burns out. Often other spades burn out or develope bad connections causing all sorts of electrical problems.

If you are not worried about originallity use a "Painless" Universal Musclecar wiring kit. They are a bit better and use good quality modern cables that are labled their whole length making each one easy to identify.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... 03&FROM=MG

If you know your way around wiring, the best way to have a show car wiring and get some benefits from modern technology, is to get a reproduction set of harnesses, and upgrade it yourself.

Get a 'modified' engine harness (that means electronic ignition for pre-71 harnesses). Ref is HU102M for a small-block, HU107EM for a big-block, HU10AEM for a TA, HU109EM for a 440 six-pack, HU108EM for a Hemi (for Year One, you could find them somewhere else).

You also need the dash harness, and the forward light harness (these give you complete, new connectors through the firewall). You may be able to reproduce the rear light harness, it's long but simple.

Then you should modifiy the harnesses. Install relays for headlights, stoplights, parking lights (this will prevent all the power consumed by the bulbs from going through the dashboard switch, as happens with the stock setup).
You should also bypass the amp gauge. It is the single worst cause for harness failure in Mopars (check the firewall connector from your old harness, the terminal that's burnt and rusted is the one...).

A beefier section on the alternator to battery cable could be a good idea too.

It's really not that hard. You can find all the info on that on http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

This is what I've planned for my car. My wiring harnesses are waiting for me at the customs office, I'll try to post pics when I'm through doing the mods (which include conversion headlights with H4 bulbs).


Then again, a brand new Painless Wiring harness will give you all that, but won't look original (although few people will look under your dash, and you could duplicate the black fabric tape finish on the engine wiring.
Your call.

Does anyone sell new replacements or reproductions of the bulkhead connector/fusebox itself?

Mine is badly burnt and worn which is why I was considering the Painless solution myself.

dave-r wrote:Does anyone sell new replacements or reproductions of the bulkhead connector/fusebox itself?

Mine is badly burnt and worn which is why I was considering the Painless solution myself.

Im also considering Painless once I get around to restoring my car. If you decide to go that way Dave you might want to wait a bit.
http://painlesswiring.squarespace.com/d ... stId=52015
according to that post they are developing some mpar specific harnesses.

Thanks for that info. It will probably take me well into next year before I could afford to buy one anyway.

Yea they are bit expensive arnt they, but I guess they are probably the same as a orignal repo harness, havent really compared

GREAT NEWS!!! The Painless tech department had the design review for kit #10127. This means it has been completed by engineering and the next step is production. I would expect this harness to be released in the next 30 days. The harness and instructions look very promising for the MOPAR camp.

Way to go Painless!!!!

From the above link, looks they made a harness for us. By the way I like your post on that fourm dave.

EDIT By the way it was posted on 13th of December.

More infomation.

12/15/2005
MOPAR HARNESS ON DECK
Attention Mopar Fans:



The new Painless Mopar wiring harness has passed the final design review and is now scheduled for production. This harness is designed for 1966-76 Chrysler muscle cars and features a mini micro-fuse block and Chrysler color codes.



We anticipate having the harness in stock around early February. The first production run will be limited in order to work out any potentional quirks from design to manufacture, so if you're waiting on this harness we suggest you contact your Painless dealer right away. Demand has been exceptionally strong and the first run will sell out quickly.



The part number is 10127.

Did a search for it on the Summit web site and it came up as a Universal Ford 12 circuit harness.

Found it on Jegs.com dave.

764-10127 Mopar Muscle Cars 1966-76 $415.99

Doesnt give any other details on it though.

HERE IS A COPY OF THE EMAIL RECEIVED TODYAY!

Brad:



We are shooting for late February. We are installing one now for test fitment. When this is done we will make any necessary changes and it should go into production immediately. Designing and building a harness takes quite a bit of research before we cut the first piece of wire. We build a prototype and install it. From that we make changes. The a “production” model is made on the production floor. That gets installed and then changes are made based on the install and feedback from production. Then we put one in the field for an install by a non-Painless person. We take that feedback and from that the finished design is established. We are at that point now. It takes a lot of work to build them right. Even after they go into production we will make changes over time as we find ways to improve on the design. Most changes don’t make a better harness. Usually they involve minor changes in wire lengths for cosmetic reasons.



Suggest you get it on order from one of our dealers so you get it as soon as they hit the shelves.



Gary W. Wright

National Sales Manager

Painless Performance Products

2501 Ludelle Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76105



TEL 817 244 6212 Ext. 1026

FAX 817 244 4024

You don't know how happy I am to hear this news.this is exactly what I need.

this is amazing. my life might just be complete.

NOT SO QUICK, tried to order one and they are on back order with no eta

Just curious...who did you attempt to order from?
Jegs,Summit,direct from Painless,or???

National performance center, they may be local only... they wanted a down payment to order one. but with Mopars at the Strip in a couple of days I fiqured might be able to pick one up there, well see. it seems to be just the interior wiring only though???? anyone know for sure.

Here you go Brad...

http://store.summitracing.com/

Painless Performance 12-Circuit Mopar Muscle Car Wiring HarnessComplete from headlight to taillight.

Painless Performance 12-circuit Mopar muscle car Wiring harnesses consists of a new chassis designed harness for use on 1966-76 Mopar muscle cars. These harnesses includes a pre-terminated fuse block and high temp, color coded wire. Complete wiring from headlight to taillight.

A/C, heat, brake lights, coil, horn, emergency flashers, dash instruments, headlights, radio (constant and ignition hot), turn signals, wipers, dome light, tail lights, third brake light, charging and starting all included.



PRF-10127 12 CIRCUIT UNIV CHRYSLER HARNESS

Should Ship By 3/31/06 $429.95

COOL. Was hoping engine harness was included. sounds like it

BRADGROTT wrote:COOL. Was hoping engine harness was included. sounds like it

I think it would have to enclude the engine wiring because the bulkhead connector is replaced with a modern fusebox.

BRADGROTT wrote:COOL. Was hoping engine harness was included. sounds like it

Yes, that sounds like it. The price is also quite interesting compared to the 3 or 4 repro harnesses you need if you go the Year One route...

It would be nice to have some real info about the details : does this harness fit the OEM bulkhead connector opening for the firewall connections ; if not, is a plug provided? how is the connection made to the steering column, etc...

Their "Universal" wiring kit used a rubber grommet through the bulkhead and a blanking plate where the bulkhead connector is.

I believe (but need confirmation) that this new kit replaces the old connector with a new one and will hook up to any mopar type connectors where needed. I am told they even use the same colour coded wires. Just better quality wiring with lower losses.

I would love to see some installation photos.

Who is going to be the first here to do it?

I might be the first to buy one, but first to install is a long shot.

order one on 3/27 will post pics as soon as it arrives. Anyday now (fingers crossed)

I'll be ordering one pretty soon.I just got the car back to my house today and will begin gutting the interior out this week.

Ordered my harness today.
Jegs says 1-2 day delivery.
Should have it by the weekend.
$425.98 shipped.

How are the bulkhead connections? Any pictures of the terminals?

are there any updates on this wiring harness? i'm waiting on someone to work out the kinks so i know what to do with mine...haha. anything new?

Well...been so busy at work...mine is still sitting in the box.

um, Mr. Fox...i'll be in houston visiting a friend the 17 of june with my car....are you close to there?