aftermarket wiring kits?

has anyone here ever used any of the Painless wirking kits or any other kits to rewire your van? i've been thinking of doing this, but was wondering what kind of issues i might run into. thanks!

I'm probably going with http://www.hotrodwires.com/12Circuit.html

I believe it's a good setup at a reasonable price. When I get one for my van, I'll ask them if they can customize it.

There is also http://www.americanautowire.com/

What you want to consider is that the wiring in the doghouse should be a special grade (GXL?) to handle the high temps. Also consider how many additional circuits you may need for future use.

Thanks for the leads. I see a variety in "GM Color Codes" as well. Does anybody know if rewiring with one of these aftermarket kits hurts the collectors value of these vans? Just curious, if it's done right with a good upgraded system if it kills resale. Thanks, Mark

I have heard the painless kit is very nice, but a bit over priced. Have talked to guy that have used the Ron Frances kit also. Keep us informed on where you go. I'm others would be very interested (my self also ) this is something I will be doing also down the road

That must have been expensive buying all the colors!

One other thing, if you're looking for authenticity, is that all those tags and labels on the harness bundles count for points, as well as that fabric-type sheathing that we find crumbling away to nothing in our "new" finds... judges look for that too. I don't know from experience, but have seen info regarding it.

I don't think the looks are as important as the function if you're restoring the van for driving. If it's for showing, then wiring is probably a very expensive endeavour.

I'm with you scott, I bought about $200 worth of bulk wire in the correct colors/ gauges, and I'm doing my own. The only problem I have is reusing some of my connectors that I can not find new ones for.

The ones I'm having trouble finding are for my lights and where the harness plugs together.

I have used several universal wiring kits purchased off ebay
and I have had very good luck installing them, one was an18
circuit that went into the boss` 57 belair, one went into a 66
chevy panel truck, and one into a 54 ford panel truck, all
were labeled on each wire every 10 to 12 inches what it was
for. And all came with a wiring diagram of the harness.
All I needed was the wiring diagram for the switches that
I used in the vehicles so I could match up the circuits.
All in all I was impressed with the ease and the quality of
the wire. I am looking at one on ebay now the is a 21
cir for 135.00. just can`t pass that up.

Not all aftermarket harnesses are they same. Some use cheeper grade wire and others use the correct wire type. Some have crimped connections and some have soldered conections. Some have plugs with weather seals and some have no seals.


I don't remember exactly but I think I had heard the ron Frances wire kit was very high quality.

All I am saying is if you look at price and how many circuits only, then you are not looking at the whole picture. Yes there are some good deals to be had when you know what your buying but generally there is one rule as consistant as the rule of gravity and that is, "You get what you pay for" for example, some of the higher priced kits come with finished conectors , extra connectors and small tools to make installation way faster and easier. (like the tools to remove the pins from the sockets without damaging them, so you can pass the wires through a hole smaller then the plug housing)
Many higher priced kits come with new switches like head light, dimmer and so on

Heres what the Two Guys used for the van.
https://www.youtube.com/wiringharness#p/a/u/2/ixie04-ksIY


Auto wire "Builder series 19" I think (watch the vidio)
http://www.americanautowire.com/


I'm told these are very good.
http://www.ronfrancis.com/


Hers what to do with your fuel gauge sendor.
http://www.fuelsender.com/services.html

M1D