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Re wiring my cj

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Bertha67, Sep 21, 2010.

  1. Sep 21, 2010
    Bertha67

    Bertha67 New Member

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    Nov 6, 2008
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    I have mystery short in my electrical somewhere, so I've decided to do a compleat re wire. I bought a new complete harness from eBay. Can't remember the brand, but I'm hoping it'll do the trick. For those of you who have done this, is there anything I should know before I dig in?
     
  2. Sep 21, 2010
    technologyteacher

    technologyteacher Member

    Elkin NC
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    Oct 12, 2009
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    Have a large work area that you can spread out and a good pair of crimpers. I just finished rewiring this summer. Other than that paitence and good notes.

    Good Luck
     
  3. Sep 21, 2010
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    May be too late now but you should have determined what was causing the short. If it is still there after installing new loom, it could smoke new wiring. For example shorted internal alternator, Horn, stop lights, starter solenoid, Items that are normally battery hot all the time. You won't know until new wiring is install and you connect the battery. I would connect a 30 amp circuit breaker between battery terminal and cable (either terminal) before operating individual circuits.
     
  4. Sep 21, 2010
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Also, forget the crimpers. Solder and heat shrink all the connectors. You will be happy you did later on.
     
  5. Sep 21, 2010
    Bertha67

    Bertha67 New Member

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    I think the short is related to the lights some how. The brake lights wouldn't go off, then when they did go off I only had the left turn signal.
     
  6. Sep 21, 2010
    Hawk5274

    Hawk5274 Member

    Ohio
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    Nov 10, 2009
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    label everything before you cut wires! :shock:
     
  7. Sep 21, 2010
    Pilly's Willy

    Pilly's Willy New Member

    Summerville, SC
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    Sep 15, 2010
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    Im about to pull the trigger and buy a new harness for mine in the next day or so.

    Does anyone know what company makes a complete harness for early cj5's w/ chevy v8s? I found a company on Ebay, but have never heard anything about them. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Will...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c0ecb33d7 I also thought about buying a stock harness and modifying it for my use. Just wanted to know from some one that has done this in the past.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2010
  8. Sep 21, 2010
    theotherjmmy

    theotherjmmy Member

    Austin, Texas
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    Mar 7, 2009
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    I used a 12 circuit street rod harness from EZ on my 67. Something I found useful was 12 volt battery booster with 2 alligator clips and a switch rigged up so it could be turned off and on. I used it to check circuits as I went along before soldering and heat shrinking each connection.
     
  9. Sep 21, 2010
    cerial

    cerial Banned

    Middleville MI
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    Aug 11, 2010
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    139
    This is a great time to upgrade your fuse panel. Or recondition(clean up and paint) the one in the kit. Use the frame to ground everything not the body. Run the wires on the inside of the frame(this will prevent mud/debris from pulling them) and use wire covers.

    Get a piece of cardboard and toss the harness on it labeling where everything goes on the cardboard/harness. This involves checking jeep for the connector then checking the harness. Make a checklist so you don't forget items like the heater controls etc.`Use some white out to mark things you have on the list on the jeep/harness.

    If the harness does not have a new connector for say the headlight etc. Don't use the old one mark what it is on the harness/part cut it out and get a new one. No sense in replacing the harness and using a conectior that may fail in a year due to corrosion.

    Take your time and double double check everything before you turn the key.
     
  10. Sep 22, 2010
    jawake

    jawake New Member

    Nashua, NH
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    Mar 5, 2010
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    I need to rewire my 1960 Willys CJ5 and had only found the wiring harnesses on 4wd.com for $400. Thanks for mentioning the harness from EZ, way way better prices!

    http://www.autowiringsolutions.com/item.php?item_id=259
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2010
  11. Sep 22, 2010
    Mike S

    Mike S Sponsor

    Cameron Park Ca.
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    Sounds like a problem in the turn signal control unit.
     
  12. Sep 22, 2010
    Bertha67

    Bertha67 New Member

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    The harness I got was $150 with shipping from eBay, it should be here tomorrow. It's an 11 circuit, I think it was listed for use with hot rods, so I would think it would work for a v8
     
  13. Sep 22, 2010
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Actually the wire harness really doesn't care what engine you have. You will have more fused circuits (11) than you need unless you are running a huge amount of accessories. When you get the instructions, read them carefully then post questions here if you have any. They are usually quite simple once you look at the inst/dwg and harness.
     
  14. Sep 22, 2010
    tim r.

    tim r. New Member

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    I rewired my 1968 CJ5 and used a harness by Rebel Wire, great product for a good price.
     
  15. Sep 23, 2010
    ziv

    ziv Member

    Israel
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    Mar 27, 2003
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    299
    All those harness kits are very expensive. and i am sure you dont have all the connectors inside.
    I just finished rewire all switches and lights inside the jeep with some wire i bought (100m), simple fuse box from napa, good connectors (and crimp tool), all solder and using shrink. Before that you have to make a good diagram which is the base to this work. I trust my work when i know all connections are new and good. This way i have wire, connectors and all tools for the next work. If you plan to own the jeep for some more years it is a good thing to have it.
    I prefer doing it myself at home step by step.

    Ziv
     
  16. Sep 23, 2010
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Your right Ziv, plus you gain the understanding of your vehicles systems so you will have an easier time of troubleshooting later down the road. Good show.
     
  17. Sep 24, 2010
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    X3. With the help you can get here and some patience you can learn a bunch. ECJ's have so few circuits it is a great place to discover the fundamentals.
     
  18. Sep 25, 2010
    Pilly's Willy

    Pilly's Willy New Member

    Summerville, SC
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    My EZ Wiring harness is on the way from ebay "$130". Im sure I will be back when it is time for install next week.
     
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