wiring harness

anyone made a homemade wiring harness for a cj5?

 

yup, I used a later model tilt column from a GM, a fuse box from a later model jeep, the dash from the 74, and added a few goodies like a tach and tunes. I even made a wire diagram when I put it all together but I have no idea what the heck I did with the diagram. Everything works great, even the horn is wired, I now have a fuse box, and tilt wheel is a great upgrade from the old straight column! I used all scrap wire that I had salvaged from a couple other cars/jeeps that I had parted out in the past. That allowed me to use the proper gauge wire with the right colors to keep it simple. The column with the ignition and turn signals was the hardest part.

 

I think I'm gonna attempt it. I really have no desire to pay the price for a wiring harness when I don't need half of the stuff it's wired for. I really just want headlights, running lights, wipers, blinkers, brake and tail lights. And of course the guages. Blinker is spuratic and only one headlight works. I looked at the wiring and decided I might just tear it out and start over. Where could I find one of them til columns? There ain't much room behind that cj5 wheel.

 

Its hard to justify building a wiring harnes when you can buy an http://www.ezwiring.com/ mini 12 harness kit for $130 plus shipping. Great quality and doesn't have to much extra.

 

just recieved the mini-12 colored harness from EZ-wiring.looks great .not to much over-kill.just about what you would need for a jeep.i called today and ordered new switch's from them.going to get some solder connectors and heat shrink. something to consider.
mike starck

 

thanks guys

 

hay Ive got a complete stock harness out of a 79 cj5 ill let u have for 50bucks +shipping

 

If you don't mind me asking, what does that cover?

 

Also, can you guys figure why that ubolt wouldn't fit if that's a stock Dana 20? I recheck with the parts house this morning, and they claimed they gave me the right one.

 

woops posted that in the wrong thread. Sorry

 

I bought the wiring kit it was easier.

 

the harness Ive got has all the wiring for the dash an all the motor hook ups for a 258 it should work on your 77 its got the hook ups for the clock an tach also

 

I built my own wiring harness for my '62 CJ5. It was a whole lot of work, but it does function well. I did it on a budget, with most of the cost going into the waterproof junction box that I use along with a very simple four fuse panel (glass tube type). I took both, mounted them on a small piece of resin board, and mounted it high up on the firewall behind the dash. I put the flasher on that board too.

My main mistake was in overestimating the length of wire for some circuits. I ended up with some bundles zip tied under the dash, but other than that I'd say it is pretty clean. The main cautions I would give you are to be certain you use high quality connectors, and the right gauge of wire for your application. If in doubt, go heavier, not lighter on the wire. Belkin connectors are good (these are available through NAPA). I’ve used cheapies before, and found they can be very frustrating and unreliable; the quality of the metal is low, and can snap or over-bend during or after crimping, and the insulation can be too stiff or brittle, and tends to crack.

I replaced the harness one wire at a time, point to point, and used a continuity tester to make sure I got it right before moving on to the next wire. I also tried to make a wiring diagram of what I did, and I too have lost it now! I did not have access to heat shrink-type connectors, but this would have been a nice upgrade; if you can get those, I understand they are quite good.

I have the old Spartan turn signal switch. That was the most complicated and time consuming item I had to deal with (good links on this forum on how to rebuild those). Your Jeep may have something else since it is newer than mine.

Best of luck, whatever route you choose.

 

Hey, I've just about finished building my harness, so if you have any questions, let me know and I'll try to answer them as best I can. I would however recommend buying an EZ wiring kit. If they are only 130 dollars as everyone says they are, you'll only save a few dollars by wiring everything yourself.