Wiring troubles

[66mustangg]

Heres the deal... I went to the wire shop to get my cars wiring fixed. The wire guy showed me almost all my wires were burnt and frayed. So he wanted 1500 to rebuild/replace most of the wiring, leaving some. So i asked him how much it would be to install a whole new chassis harness and he said 1500, but i have to buy everything....i could get it for 600.... but then my dad said that was too much... what do you guys think???
Now he said to buy the fulll wiring harness and do it myself..
I have no expereince with wiring or niether does he...how hard is it????

 

[krash kendall]

Better give more info on what systems work, if the car runs, poor modifications or stock, interior or engine compartment, charging system, etc.

 

[66mustangg]

the car ran.. all of the wiring was there but just VERY poorly done, and everythings stock.. this "painless" kit will do everything

 

[limey66]

Do it yourself.

If you get reproduced wiring harnesses they all have the correct ends on, and with a decent wiring diagram (PM me if you can't turn up one for your 66) it will be a snap. Weekend's work at the most. Strip out one bit at a time, and replace as you go. You'll be lifting carpet, and crawling under the dash (taking the gauges out will be necessary), but after the skinned knuckles you'll have the knowledge that it's all done right and isn't going to leave you stranded.

Watch out for crappy corroded connectors and lamp holders on the parking and turning lights. Mine were shot, and need replacing.

Many people here go for the Painless kit - they do a one size fits all type kit that the hot rodders use, and now a Mustang specific kit. I have no experience of these kits, but someone else will no doubt chime in.

 

[SoCalCruising]

You can get repro wiring from a number of places. Personally, I would stay with original wiring and then use what you have as your template. If your under dash wiring is OK, the rest isn't so tough. Take your time and pay attention to routing. Makw sure you get wire straps/holders so you can replace the old ones which will, no doubt, break off when you remove thte old stuff.

 

[Az Pete]

I replaced the entire wiring in my '66 Coupe, from bumper to bumper. It was really easy. I used the factory style harness with all the proper connectors. Got it from Mustangs Unlimited as they had the lower price then. Get a wiring schematic (I used these, http://hammar.dyndns.org/~djhamma/wiring/wiring1966.htm) and go for it. I would not pay anyone that amount to rewire a stock Mustang. It will end up being a lot easier than you think. Remove you seats, carpet, and anything in your trunk prior to messing with the wires. I found that once I did one part (under the hood), I really needed to get new wires throughout. Gives me a much better feeling knowing there are no bare wires from cracked insulation.

 

[Tim65GT]

I did mine all from scratch, including the schematic wiring diagrams, But I've been around electrical stuff for a while. I say $1500 is way too much and you should do it yourself wether you buy a Painless system or go factory type repro harness(s).

Get a just a cheapo tester (multimeter) and just go step by step. The knowledge you gain will be worth it.

If you run into any particular trouble, theres always...:SNSign:

 

[rsev216]

I did a complete rewire on my 65 convert using the Painless kit. It wasn't that difficult, just tedious but the car was apart at the time. It would have been a whole lot harder with the interior and engine in.

 

[Jester67]

The price is reasonable considering 24 hours of work at $65/hour that’s $1560. This is not an imposable task like any thing it will take time and patents. I like the painless over the replacement because you get modern fuses and heavier wire and it comes with additional circuits for things people like to add later if the car is not concourse that it the way I suggest. Just my .02 cents

 

[66mustangg]

allright, thanks guys i appreciate it.. im going to order the painless wiring kit and if i have any questions i know who to ask! thanks