61 econoline wire harness

Does anybody make a wiring harness for the 61 econo vans . I keep having problems with lights , brake lights , blinkers . I'll take it to the mechanic he will getting going and about 2 weeks later they will be messing up again . A lot of the wires look brittle and some rubber has fallen off . Thanks for the help

I surely can tell you how to fix any electrical problem if you tell me what is happening to it.... power comes from the positive cable on the battery,,,,goes through a fuse, then a switch,,,,,then to the equipment,,,,,,and we run tests to see if no power is getting to the equipment or too much power is flowing and burns out the fuse,,,,,, and that fuse box that Ford hides on the top of the headlight switch,,,,is the worst ever invented,,,,,so we change and fix stuff to make it better than its ever been.....

I'm getting no brake lights . Sometimes the running lights work work in taillight . Blinkers work . My mechanic said that it's probably time to replace the wiring harness . A lot of the wires are crack and the rubber on wire has fallen off .

The wiring on these vans wasn't great when they were new. 50 years later things haven't improved...!!! When i ripped my wiring out i was amazed at how much of the insulation was cracked and missing on the wires. And as for the fuses....!!! What a stupid place to put them...!!!
Don't think anybody makes a new loom. I made my own, it wasn't too difficult. There isn't much on these vans that is complicated.

Donivan has you on the right track. On my wire diagram its a red wire to the brake switch that should have power and a red wire with black stripe that runs from the brake switch to the turn signal switch.
You may first want to check the wires running to the back where they go up the drivers door post. Mine were worn down to the bare wire from rubbing the opening they run through. A good spot to short out the wires.

These guys will help get the existing problems fixed but I recently decided to rewire the whole van and I'm glad I did. It's nice to have everything brand new with a 12 circuit proper fuse box. I used Kwikwire cause they were reasonably priced and had good reviews on here but I know there are other higher end brands to choose from too. If I did it again, I'd still use the Kwikwire. Every wire is labeled and color coded (but not to factory specs) and it wasn't that hard to do.
Good luck.

Thanks xjamesx I'll check it out .

E100s are known to have rusted, bad, corroded, open ground connections. They are the black wires that are sometimes clustered into eyelets and are screwed to the metal frame or braces in the back. Try to locate, remove, wire brush or sand the eyelet and frame and reattach with clean screws.

xjamesx wrote:These guys will help get the existing problems fixed but I recently decided to rewire the whole van and I'm glad I did.  It's nice to have everything brand new with a 12 circuit proper fuse box.  I used Kwikwire cause they were reasonably priced and had good reviews on here but I know there are other higher end brands to choose from too.  If I did it again, I'd still use the Kwikwire. Every wire is labeled and color coded (but not to factory specs) and it wasn't that hard to do.
Good luck.

I don't see the 12 circuit option, only 8, 14, and 22.
I assume the 14 would be a safe choice?
I would love to rewire mine when I get it....regardless of condition.

http://kwikwire.com/wire-harnesses/ford-harnesses/14-circuit-ford-wire-harness/

Sorry, I was mistaken. That 14 circuit one you just linked is the harness I installed.

Ah OK cool, I will scoop that one up here at some point.   

Thanks for the link, I am at my wits end with the electric system in my 64. Going to give this ago. I know very little about wiring cars, but all the wires in the van are old and brittle and a new harness would be ideal.

http://kwikwire.com/wire-harnesses/ford-harnesses/14-circuit-ford-wire-harness/

The only issue I came across when wiring my van with this kit is translating the harness instructions with the original worrying diagram. The headlight switch and ignition switch specifically. I'll try to take pics tomorrow of how I wired each of those switches. Mine has been working great since I rewired the van except for a small glitch in my tail lights that I plan on investigating tomorrow. Probably just the turn signal switch or a ground.
I still recommend this kit and rewiring to everyone. It is nice to know its all modern and up to date so I can focus on other issues.

I think I might give this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=400758684274

Or this one a go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350583373295?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I like the 2nd one with so many additional circuits to attach goods later on like the powered heated seats I might be putting into mine.

I too have issues with a short in my '61 van. Scuffed bare wires ect.

I know its pricey but I was thinking of this one because of the OEM coloring. What do you guys think?

http://www.centechwire.com/Ford-Wiring-Harness-K-40F.htm

Sure yeah!
Not cheap...mine was like $160 and has 20 fuses on it along with colour coded and labelled wiring so you can add all sorts of things later if you need to.

Hi Guys,
As I was starting my rebuild I was finding a cracked, frayed, rusted mess of a harness. I considered trying to repair it as I went and literally had chunks of insulation falling off the wires as I went. I quickly decided to replace the whole harness and went with Centech. I did a couple of calls with Jim and he customized the standard harness for me to suit my electronic ignition, LEDs, alternator etc. The total cost was less than $500 including all new switches, ignition, fuse panel, connectors etc and I'm confident that I've saved myself more than that in time saved looking for electrical gremlins down the road, and invested in peace of mind.

Hoping to spend A LOT less than $500 when I get to a total rewire