Need Help with wiring!!!! (1 Viewer)

[daniel.watters]

I have a 1966FJ40. I bought thistruck off of ebay a couple months before returning home from Iraq. I have now been home for about two months now and I have not had the chance to even drive the truck once!

I burned some wires up in it and took it to a local mechanic. The mechanic CUT everything out and could not figure out how to install the new GENERIC wiring harness I bought for him to install. So, I took it to a so called auto-wiring expert here in Augusta, GA and now this guy is acting like he has no clue... He did mention that it would be a tedious job and he was going to charge me over a thousand dollars to do it when he gets around to it. He is confused by the 1st mechanic cuting out all of the original wiring and not being able to match it up with the EZ wiring harness i purchased.

Is this too great of a job to take on??? Is there anyone close to me that can do it for cheaper or help me rewire the truck? Is there a better wiring harness out there that will match up? Should I buy an old wiring harness out of an old truck? Thanks!

My cell is 706 513 8012 (Daniel) please call if you have any suggestions!

 

[Poser]

Is this too great of a job to take on??? Is there anyone close to me that can do it for cheaper or help me rewire the truck? Is there a better wiring harness out there that will match up? Should I buy an old wiring harness out of an old truck?

Well, there is nothing EZ or Painless about PROPERLY installing a wiring harness, and paying a shop to do it properly is not going to be an inexpensive endeavor.


If I were you, I would try and find a stock, early harness from another truck and install that. At least try and look for one out here; someone may have one in a truck yet.

 

[Trollhole]

Your all over the place.

FJ40 Wiring Diagrams - Land Cruiser Tech from IH8MUD.com

 

[Bret]

wiring generally isn't difficult, it can be very time consuming to do right. If you are a little bit mechanically inclined and have a basic understanding of auto electrics I would give it a shot. The older rigs are pretty basic and once you start digging in it will become easier. As you progress through ask specific questions and folks will be able to help.

 

[Pin_Head]

Look at the bright side: It is a '66 and things got a lot more complicated later on.

I would say that $1000 is a good deal, since it only works out to about $25 an hour for what is likely a 40 hour job. It would only be a 20 hour job if the wiring was sitll in there.

 

[Mtrunner]

I'm in Gainesville, FL and anytime you are down here for a Gator game you are welcome to come see the wiring in my 66. I could try and take photos to post if you need....

 

[bsmith123]

harness

get a schematic and have a go at it yourself if you understand the basics of what you need it shouldn't be that hard. I have a 72 and the harness is reallly simple. If you do not have any experience with schematics then take a while and go over it and see if you understand it. It's all relative to your experience and patience, but there's a first time for everything

here's a tip draw it all out and make a board to stretch the harness on put in pegs for the curves and mark the termination spots and secure your harness to the board as you make it up and put on all the terminations. By the time you finish you can lift it off and install it in no time. We use this method to make up aircraft harnesses --A peg board might work well too.

 

[HeadCase]

I'm using the American Autowire Hwy 15 - it came with all the necessary components, was clearly labled, and had great packaging and good "instructions" for a generic kit. I've been told by the folks at IPOR that it is a better/higher quality kit than both the Painless and the EZ. Is my first complete wiring job; not difficult, but time consuming (I have all sorts of complications like a TBI, GM performace serpintine kit w/ high output alternator, 8374, ARB's. new autometer gauge package,etc). You'll learn a lot about electrical, and no doubt want to make some mods to your setup to suit your needs. Just get a wiring diagram and go for it!

 

[skipilot]

If you would enjoy learning to wire and have the time, a '66 would be a great first project. Definitely get a copy of the chasis and body repair manual (someone on the forum can tell you better than I the best place to get it) and pick up some books on automotive wiring. My favorite, because it is written for simple people like me, is "How To Do Electrical Systems" by Skip Readio. I think it is out of print, but you should be able to find it used on Amazon. HPBooks "Automotive Electrical Handbook" is also very good and I think still in print. I'm sure there are other good ones out there as well.
On the other hand, if you know that you would hate the tediousness of wiring it would be well worth the money to have someone else do it.
Oh, and if you decide to do it yourself, don't just use cheapo crimpers. The bad connections that will crop up over time will drive you batty--trust me on that. Cheers

 

[JB740i]

I've had good luck asking questions at the12volt.com as well. Was a huge help when I put a remote starter in an f150.

 

[TLCSKULLS]

I agree w/ the others here. It is not a difficult job, just tedious. Get a diagram (even Haynes manual will do), and follow the instructions that came w/ the EZ wiring harness.

Buy a good crimper, a heat gun, some shrink wrap and loom and go to town. I'd only work on it a few hours at a time, or you'll go mad. It's nice to know how everything is put together when you are done. Good Luck.

 

[emtee]

Here's another source of info that might be of help:

Amazon.com: Automotive Electrical Handbook (HP 387): Jim Horner: Books

Well written, easy to understand. Author will pretty much walk you through a complete rewire of a vehicle. Almost like it was written for an early Cruiser!

Save yourself $1k, pick up some skills, and then if you have an issue later on, you'll have an intimate knowledge of what was done. Better than standing in the rain on the side of a trail trying to figure out some stranger's handiwork. Ask me how I know...

 

[fjwagon]

I like this idea, it gives you a physical pic what and where things go. You can take it step further and hook up lights, switches etc. to simualate if it will work before you install. Do one circuit at a time and you'll be done before you know it. Lable everything, takes notes, and break your piggy bank and get some really nice connectors.

here's a tip draw it all out and make a board to stretch the harness on put in pegs for the curves and mark the termination spots and secure your harness to the board as you make it up and put on all the terminations. By the time you finish you can lift it off and install it in no time. We use this method to make up aircraft harnesses --A peg board might work well too.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

These guys are on the right track. Do it yourself. A '66 isn't all that complicated, and it really is a great skill to have in your quiver for a dark night or muddy roadside.

That is--if you can't find an original harness (or even if you can--and just want to learn automotive wiring).

It's "tedious" in that you have to pay attention to a lot of little things, but there are no big, super difficult parts. Just lots of little manageable things to do.

And x15 on what these guys said about buying high quality connectors (I only use connectors as a last resort myself--I prefer to properly join and solder wires if I possibly can). The little 5 pack of blue connectors at CarQuest just isn't going to cut it.

Oh, and why no pics? Especially of the cut wiring harness--that's something to behold I'd think!

Dan

 

[daniel.watters]

Mtrunner-
Send some pics of your harness lay-out and of your FJ40. I'm going to give it a go. I have a couple different schematics and other electrical literature to help guide me. Roll Tide!
Daniel