Centech vs. Painless

[SC74]

It won't be long before I install an aftermarket harness. Any suggestions on which brand is better / easiest to install / works best? I know Painless cost a little more, but it is also a newer product. I know a lot of people have used the Centech also. Which brand do you think I should go with?

 

[YelloTx73]

Basically its a personal preference. From what Ive heard though, and even with the little bit that Ive talked with the people at Painless, they are a real hassle to deal with. I dont know about the Centech, but the Painless has lifetime warranty on it, if Im not mistaken.

 

[7? BRONCO]

I had both harnesses laid out in the garage side by side (yes, I bought both once the Painless was available). There are differences b/w the two but nothing major. I ended up using the Centech. Centech was wrapped better and I like the watertight connectors. The Painless harness had a much better, water-proof fuse panel. I sold the Painless to my friend---he seemed to like it. Hope this helps. It's really a toss-up======get the cheapest one.

 

[thesnake]

Centech!

John

 

[Ryans71]

I installed a Centech. The guys at Centech were very helpful with answering questions. I had to call them a couple of times in regards to the wiper motor and the auto return feature.

My .02 worth

Ryan.

 

[Moaiz]

I chose centech. Support was great, I called 2x and both times he said....check grounds and that was it. The instructions are about as fun to follow as quatrains but the info is all there. A friend of mine is going to rewire soon and I pretty much talked him into using painless just so I can check it out. I havent heard any signigifant negatives about either.

 

[bob_lafrentz]

I did the Centech. I really like it. If you go this route, get the extra harness (like $20) so you can use your stock ignition switch.

The thing I didn't like about it is it uses a different wiper switch that comes with the harness. If mine ever breaks, I don't know what application it came from so I will be forced to buy it from Painless.

If you go this route, buy a plastic glove box if you don't already have one. You screw the fuse panel into the glove box and I don't think the old cardboard ones will hold up.

Good luck

 

[Mazeing]

I did the Centech. I really like it. If you go this route, get the extra harness (like $20) so you can use your stock ignition switch.

I agree. I used the switch that came with it and had to do major surgery to the original bezel to get it to fit the whole that was in my dash. Now, it's coming loose and I have to turn the key about a 1/4 (with the switch moving with it) to get the switch to the off position. Centech says it's a better switch (it did have an accessory position which my old one didn't), but the fit & finish of the original was much better.

The thing I didn't like about it is it uses a different wiper switch that comes with the harness. If mine ever breaks, I don't know what application it came from so I will be forced to buy it from Painless.

I agree again. It doesn't look like any of the rest of the controls and who knows how to replace if something goes wrong. I assume that I would just go back to an original.

If you go this route, buy a plastic glove box if you don't already have one. You screw the fuse panel into the glove box and I don't think the old cardboard ones will hold up.

I ended up just taking out the ash tray and putting the fuse block where the ash tray was. A chessy hinge on the ash tray door and a magnet to hold it closed gives me really easy access to the fuse block.

 

[72BlueBronco]

I installed a Centech and it was great. Everything worked the way it should, the instructions were easy to understand and the layout was nice.

 

[SC74]

Thanks for all of the help. It looks like I'll save a few dollars and get a Centech. I've also heard of one other brand - it's a man's name and I can't remember it. Something like Ron Davis maybe? I saw it on the net somewhere. Anyone know what I'm talking about and how it compares?

 

[SC74]

Thats Ron Francis, Wire Works

http://www.buildacar.com/showpage.php?page=main.htm

I have some good things about his wire looms also.

Ahh.. At least I got the Ron's part of it right. Thanks for the help.

Anyone ever used these harnesses?

 

[JaxLax]

Ron Francis = Wiring
Ron Davis = Radiators

;D

 

[PhantomEB]

I have the Painless universal kit and must say I am not too happy with it, although its still not done cause I hate wiring I very well may just ditch this and buy a Centech in a bit.

 

[DirtDonk]

Hey Mazeing. Any chance you could post a picture of your ashtray fuse box? Even if it's not finished or even fancy looking, I'd be interested to see how it came out. That's where I always thought a good place for the fuses would be.
Thanks

Paul

 

[Unregistered]

I just got the Centech from BC Broncos and it came with the new LED fuzes that light up when they burn out really cool.

 

[SeaBiscuit68]

Ahh.. At least I got the Ron's part of it right. Thanks for the help.

Anyone ever used these harnesses?

I am currently installing a Ron Francis kit. Like Jeepster said it is a universal kit. Therefore it is not a harness. You create your own harness from the kit. That is what is so cool about it. With Painless and Centech, you're commited to the harness config that they send you. Sort of plug and play, and I'm sure they're fine, but if you want to go to the next level, and design your own config, the kit is the way to go. It is more work, don't be fooled about that, but there's nothing difficult about it. A kit allows you to choose your own locations for routing and mounting. You build it completely customized for your vehicle, with all the wires you want, just the wires you want, and exactly where you want them.

 

[Skipdevil]

I went with the Painless Bronco harness and am in the process of installing it. I have just finished installing the engine bay wiring and so far it has been very easy. The kit comes with plenty of extra connectors and pre-wired optional circuits like a cooling fan. I would recommend that you invest in some good split loom, and heat shelding for the engine bay wiring. Also good quality crimpers are a must. I installed an MSD-6 offroad ignition box and a MSD high vibration coil, battery, ground cables and new starter solenoid (not in the kit) to complement my new wiring harness. So far I am very pleased with my investment.

 

[rcs72]

Painless

I'm just about done installing the Painless kit. I think that it is pretty easy to install, but I wish I had bought the Ron Francis kit. I say this because I'm not using the original cluster & had to splice into the painless kit to enable the wire to reach the new guages. If your basically re-wiring to stock the Painless would be real easy.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I did a painless universial street rod 12 circuit kit.
I have seen the Bronco harness at SEMA when it first came out. Didn't like it other then the nice cover over the fuse panel.
I will also admit that my bronco is not stock. I have 18 wire going just to the windshield frame, stock was 0. I have added little things like power mirrors, self dimming rear view mirror, seat heaters, fuel injection, transmission controller, factory ford cruise control, full 7 pin trailer connections, the list goes on. None of the kits out there met my needs. The painless universal was the best bang for the buck (and Summit had them on sale last year). I just made it do what I wanted it to do.