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Rewire With Painless

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by VAPepsiGuy, Dec 30, 2020.

  1. Dec 30, 2020
    VAPepsiGuy

    VAPepsiGuy 1969 CJ5

    Draper, VA
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
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    43
    I've read all the historical posts with rewiring. I'm committed to using Painless 10105 Harness (I know there are many other options) and have read their install instructions. My question is: Does someone have a cheat chart for HEI and one wire alternator with wire numbers using Painless wiring into a '69 with dauntless? All the other sections/areas have easy to follow wiring installation instructions, but the stock set-up obviously doesn't have the upgrades.
     
  2. Dec 30, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Should not be difficult to figure out. The HEI distributor uses a single power wire that is switched by the ignition. You could use the wire that normally goes to the ignition coil. No need for a ballast resistor, or connections between the coil and distributor. The one-wire alternator connects with a single wire to the battery. Typically this is attached at the starter solenoid, which connects to the battery by a starter cable. Eliminate all the other wiring that goes to the voltage regulator and alternator.

    You understand with a one-wire alternator, you can't have an ammeter or alternator light? Voltmeter is it.
     
    Jrobz23 and Walt Couch like this.
  3. Dec 30, 2020
    VAPepsiGuy

    VAPepsiGuy 1969 CJ5

    Draper, VA
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
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    43
    Thank you - I understand about not being able to have light. I’m good with voltmeter.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2021
    Rozcoking23

    Rozcoking23 RUN & GET BIT! 2024 Sponsor

    Stockton, CA
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    The painless kit comes with the one wire option, or at least mine did.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2021
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    Apr 11, 2012
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    I have a one wire alternator and an alternator light that works.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I'd like to see how, without a second wire to the alternator. Then it's no longer a one wire.
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  7. Mar 2, 2021
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    I'm gathering up the knowledge and parts to do this same thing whenever it warms up, and I will be watching this thread. I'm also committed to a Painless kit since I bought it three years ago (!).

    @VAPepsiGuy Can you list the upgrades/accessories on your build? I'd love to follow along and see how mine compares.

    What type of voltage regulator are you installing?
     
  8. Mar 2, 2021
    VAPepsiGuy

    VAPepsiGuy 1969 CJ5

    Draper, VA
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Messages:
    43
    Hi truckee4x4:

    I installed painless #10105. I omitted the voltage regulator and went with Delco 10si Alternator (internal regulator). Would highly recommend buying Painless switches (headlights, wipers, ignition) and grounding kit, but not necessary just makes following installation instructions easy. Also get the braid to make install clean and protected. I also added Speedhut gauges at time of rewire.
     
    Jrobz23 and truckee4x4 like this.
  9. Mar 2, 2021
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Thanks!

    Do you have an HEI distributor? Did you do an electric fan, or keep the OEM mechanical fan? Curious what other upgrades you added.
     
  10. Mar 3, 2021
    VAPepsiGuy

    VAPepsiGuy 1969 CJ5

    Draper, VA
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
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    43
    HEI installed with stock fan. I did add custom shroud, but didn't have any cooling issues. I did a full rebuild on the dauntless and had the block cleaned which I believe was a source of some heating issues I had experienced.
    Added OD since we use the jeep to cruise often.
     
    truckee4x4 likes this.
  11. Mar 3, 2021
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Sounds like a nice build. Did you fabricate your own shroud? Finding or making one of those has been on my list for a while, I know there is a vendor in Carson City NV that sells them.
     
  12. Mar 3, 2021
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
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    Mar 14, 2015
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    I wanted a new challenge and learning experience for my build so I wired the entire Jeep by hand with many connectors and several rolls of color/sizes of wire. In the end it was fun and a good choice as my rig is a little Frankie.
     
    Jrobz23 and truckee4x4 like this.
  13. Mar 3, 2021
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Wow that's really cool! Love to see some pics.
     
  14. Mar 4, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    I looked at the Painless wiring harnesses, but thought they were a bit pricey so I bought a wiring harness from Walcks for my CJ2A, and was very impressed with the quality of it.

    I haven't yet decided on what I will use on my CJ5 build which will have a 3.8L Buick V6 with HEI distributor and 1 wire alternator.
     
  15. Mar 4, 2021
    Bottom Rung

    Bottom Rung New Member

    CT
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2020
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    VAPepsiGuy,

    Where did you find your switches? I’m looking at their website and all I can come up with is a generic toggle switch kit.
     
  16. Mar 5, 2021
    VAPepsiGuy

    VAPepsiGuy 1969 CJ5

    Draper, VA
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
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    43
    You can buy all Painless switches through Amazon.
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  17. Mar 5, 2021
    Bottom Rung

    Bottom Rung New Member

    CT
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  18. Mar 6, 2021
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
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    The only way to go!
     
  19. Mar 6, 2021
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
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    Mar 14, 2015
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    Heres a few.
    Jeep Wiring 1.jpg Jeep Wiring 2.jpg
    Jeep Wiring 3.jpg
     
    Bigdaddy13 and Fireball like this.
  20. Mar 6, 2021
    Dale Park

    Dale Park Member

    Utah
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2021
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    112
    I am also close to begin installing my Painless 10105 kit in my 72 CJ5. This may or may not apply to your configuration but the painless manual mentions engine run on(engine will not shut off by key). They include a diode to use if this happens, just not sure if it is applicable to the one wire alternator. I watched a youtube video of a guy installing on an International Scout and he wired to the accessory side of the key switch and not the start/run and that made his so it didn't have the engine run on. I guess it really depends on the type of alternator if this can occur.

    I have heard from several people that have installed the painless wiring and if you read and become familiar with the manual it will save lots of headaches etc. The manual also state you must use either a volt meter or amp gauge, you cannot use a warning light. Not sure why.
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
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