Chassis Wiring Harness Comparison

[mlogan24]

When I'm low on funds, I like to do my research on what new Bronco parts to get when I get some surplus scratch ;D

Today, I decided to put together a comprehensive spreadsheet on wiring harnesses.

I focused on the harnesses with the most circuits as I (along with many of you) have far outstripped (pun intended) the capacity of a stock harness. I did this so I could have a quick reference for when it comes time to buy, and I figured I'd share it as I assume some of you may find it helpful too. Let me know if I missed anything . . .

Wiring Harness Spreadsheet


BTW - if you don't have Excel, you can always open it for free in Google Docs or with OpenOffice.

 

[Stutsmo]

I just bought a wiring harness minutes before you posted this! LOL!! It's pretty cool can tell you spent some time researching the info!

 

[mlogan24]

I just bought a wiring harness minutes before you posted this! LOL!! It's pretty cool can tell you spent some time researching the info!

Bummer, I could have saved you some research time! Yeah, that's about few hours today and couple beers I do stuff like this all the time at work, so it was kind of fun doing one for my Bronco hobby.

If you don't mind me asking - which one did you go with and why?

 

[ILikeBond]

Awesome. Downloaded. A wiring harness is in my near future, so this will come in very handy. Thanks for sharing your work!

 

[mlogan24]

Awesome. Downloaded. A wiring harness is in my near future, so this will come in very handy. Thanks for sharing your work!

Absolutely! Parts research is one of my favorite parts of web wheeling

 

[Stutsmo]

Bummer, I could have saved you some research time! Yeah, that's about few hours today and couple beers I do stuff like this all the time at work, so it was kind of fun doing one for my Bronco hobby.

If you don't mind me asking - which one did you go with and why?

I went with the painless. for a few reasons #1 they seem like they are the best most Bronco specific harness out there. #2 I already had experience with the cyntech and the EZ harness both those harness were good for the money I paid for them but left me unimpressed. #3 a member here was offering painless for $850.00 shipped so just seemed like the time was right to try the painless.

 

[mlogan24]

I went with the painless. for a few reasons #1 they seem like they are the best most Bronco specific harness out there. #2 I already had experience with the cyntech and the EZ harness both those harness were good for the money I paid for them but left me unimpressed. #3 a member here was offering painless for $850.00 shipped so just seemed like the time was right to try the painless.

I'm so tempted to get the Painless . . . especially at $850!

 

[Stutsmo]

My harness is supposed to be here on Friday. I will post up some details of the install on my build thread.....if your interested in looking check it out. can click on the link in my signature to find the thread.

 

[nick1975bronco]

thanks for posting the that spread sheet im going to download it. in the future im going to get a new harness this will make it easier to choose

 

[brianstrange]

Have you considered using a donor harness? It doesn't take long to develop solder and heat shrink skills, and repurposing a junkyard harness is cheap, with many circuit options. On top of that, wiring the dash is 90% of the job, and it's super easy on a Bronco. I have a few 5.0 Mustang Body harnesses I plan to slim down, and sell or re-use.

 

[Numberfool]

Downloaded. Fantastic work.

 

[No Hay]

Thanks for the great info. I've been thinking of a new wiring harness too. Every time I think of how brittle mine is, I get nervous!

 

[mlogan24]

Have you considered using a donor harness? It doesn't take long to develop solder and heat shrink skills, and repurposing a junkyard harness is cheap, with many circuit options. On top of that, wiring the dash is 90% of the job, and it's super easy on a Bronco. I have a few 5.0 Mustang Body harnesses I plan to slim down, and sell or re-use.

I've kicked around the idea (and it's not a bad idea), but won't for the simple fact that I'm either going to have to spend hours at a pick n pull finding and then getting out an intact unmolested harness that will be a good base for a Bronco or it's going to cost quite a bit for a harness that the yard pulls. Plus, we're talking mid 90's or older to get a harness that is adaptable to a Bronco (no heavy PCM integration in the wiring, BUS system, etc.). So at a minimum, like your 5.0 harness, you're starting with 20+ year old wiring.

I'd much rather spend a few hundred and have a clean, brand new harness with labeled wires.

BTW - if it's not obvious, the shading starts with darker green to highlight the best in each category, with lighter green's to show "runner ups". I like doing that so at a glance I can see which harness has the most positive features vs negatives.

 

[brianstrange]

I've kicked around the idea (and it's not a bad idea), but won't for the simple fact that I'm either going to have to spend hours at a pick n pull finding and then getting out an intact unmolested harness that will be a good base for a Bronco or it's going to cost quite a bit for a harness that the yard pulls. Plus, we're talking mid 90's or older to get a harness that is adaptable to a Bronco (no heavy PCM integration in the wiring, BUS system, etc.). So at a minimum, like your 5.0 harness, you're starting with 20+ year old wiring.

I'd much rather spend a few hundred and have a clean, brand new harness with labeled wires.

It is a lot of work, but you would be surprised at the wire quality jump when going with an OEM harness (even 20 year old). The only areas that I find hacked up are in the radio and Ign where alarms are installed, both usually get reworked anyway. So much of the wire gets trimmed that any bad ends become a non issue, but there is something to be said for a labeled harness. That spreadsheet certainly looks helpful.

 

[eric0o1]

Just a heads up, we are offering our 10114 kit (bronco harness w/o switches) again for those wanting to save by not having to purchase switches with the harness.

Nice list that really shows people what's out there. Too bad there isn't an easy way to show what all a harness actually has other than classifying it universal or Bronco specific. That would be a complete spreadsheet in itself.

 

[mlogan24]

Just a heads up, we are offering our 10114 kit (bronco harness w/o switches) again for those wanting to save by not having to purchase switches with the harness.

Nice list that really shows people what's out there. Too bad there isn't an easy way to show what all a harness actually has other than classifying it universal or Bronco specific. That would be a complete spreadsheet in itself.

Good point, I updated the list to reflect the other harness.

From a manufacturer's perspective, are there any major comparative characteristics I'm not accounting for on my list that you would add? Like you mentioned, beyond just noting Bronco specific versus universal, I tried to make sure to note if it has switches, glove box, etc.

BTW, have you guys at Painless considered a coil kill switch integrated into the fuse panel or the battery and accessory power tap studs provided for system expansion, like some of the other harnesses offer? I really like those features. Seems like they would be very simple and cheap to add.

 

[eric0o1]

The coil fuse can be pulled on our harness to disable the ignition system, but we haven't considered adding a switch. Although if the installer wanted to add one it would be simple.

I can't think of anything that would elaborate on what a harness includes other than listing all connections supported , but again, that would create a whole new spreadsheet

 

[DirtDonk]

Pre-cut glove box liner/insert and weather resistant fuse boxes would be two things I can think of that vary between the different brands. Haven't looked at the chart lately, so not sure if those items have been addressed.

Support for stock alternators might be another. Most, I think, are upgrading to more powerful alternators, so that may not be as important for those folks. But for those running a 70 amp or lower externally regulated alternator, not having to source additional parts would be a benefit.

Paul