Wiring Harness Options????

[Mikes71bronco]

looking to purchase a wiring harness for my rig but honestly don't know a whole lot about one over the other. I was leaning towards painless but then I started noticing they ranged from $575 - $1200. I'm not doing anything crazy with my set up. maybe upgrade to brighter lights , run a stereo system & possibly run some extra KC lights. Can you guys suggest a quality wiring harness for a decent price. Don't mind spending my money on quality parts but I don't need to buy the most expensive just because either. Part #'s and best place to pick one up would be awesome. As always thanks for your time & advice.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Painless and Centech are the two I'm familiar with. The Painless is nicer, but also quite a bit more expensive. Not sure if it's worth the extra. That would be up to the buyer.

 

[bk005]

I just put an American autowire kit in. Good layout and set up for most common mods. I like the terminals but requires renting or buying crimpers.

 

[Unaweep]

Painless and Centech are the two I'm familiar with. The Painless is nicer, but also quite a bit more expensive. Not sure if it's worth the extra. That would be up to the buyer.

Could you define "nicer" with some specific examples?

Thanks, J.E.

 

[thegreatjustino]

Years ago when I had the Centech, you got a non stock ignition switch that wouldn't fit in the stock dash hole. Centech eventually started making an adapter that allowed you to use a stock ignition switch with it. I think that's now standard and they've done away with the non stock switch, but I'm not 100% sure about that. The Painless uses all stock switches and Ford connectors. The Centech uses GM style connectors, which are fine, but why not use the connectors that are similar to what was originally on the Bronco? Centech has 11 circuits, Painless has 28. Original Bronco had 5. Either harness is an upgrade, but with twice as many, Painless can run a lot more add ons.

Some things to consider.

A couple of recent threads here:

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240836&highlight=painless+centech

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242751&highlight=wiring+harness

 

[Mikes71bronco]

Thanks guys I appretiate the info.

 

[xcntrk]

I did the painless and absolutely loved the product. "Nicer" = pre-wired accessory circuits for later expansion, labeled and color coded wires, quality ends and connectors, flexibility to run into the engine compartment in multiple ways depending on configuration, fantastic documentation with illustrations that show exactly how to wire different configurations.

I wired mine in a weekend, it fired up the first time and I haven't had to touch it again ever since. That's money well spent IMHO....

 

[techlaf]

I've done Painless and Centech. If I were to do another I'd go American Autowire. It seems like the right sweet spot between the almost too expensive Painless with stuff I don't need or don't necessarily like the design choices and the too simple Centech. There is no wiring diagram for the Centech. Nada. The instructions look like they were typed out on an IBM Selectric 30 years ago and then photocopied over and over. Painless is full color and extremely detailed.

Centech was fine when no other choices existed, but now Painless and AAW are worth the extra coin for the quality, time-saving, and documented drawings.

 

[Glass Pony]

X2 0n the Painless.
Very good instructions and if you need it, great tech support.

 

[Vincen]

I installed an AAW in my 1970 a little over a year ago. It is priced between the Centech and Painless harnesses. I paid just under 700 for mine with a replacement glove box. I also went the extra mile to improve grounding ny installing an AAW complete grounding kit. Nice harness with OE style connectors and they have great customer service.

 

[jmangi62]

I'm in the process of installing my centech I bought from Wild Horses,nice kit for the price,I had to buy a new ignition switch but I'm changing all the original bezels to new ones anyway so it'll look good when I'm done.I guess it all boils down to how much you want to spend,heard good things about all three Centech,AAW,and Painless.Good luck

 

[DirtDonk]

...Best I could gather, there is no direct, OEM style plug for either the lights or ignition switch. Was told I need to splice those in. No thanks...

Not sure about the ignition, but for anyone wanting to do the same thing as you, have you looked into pulling the wires and spade connectors out of the newer style headlight connector/housing included in the new harnesses, and inserting them into an old stock one?
I don't know if they're the same, but they look to be close at least. I think I may have even tried it before, but don't remember any details worthy of note. Maybe they're close enough to snap right into the old housing without having to splice any wires.
Assuming the old one is still serviceable and the new tabs are at least close, it might be just the ticket to keeping a stock switch with new wiring.

For the ignition switch, the outer plastic housing (strain relief?) still exists. We sell a standard one (http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/IgnitionSwitchSocketPigtail) as well as the Centech-specific version (http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/CentechStockIgnitionSwitchAdapter) like they include in the "stock switch" version of their harness. So at least that piece is still readily available through the normal sources.
Haven't found any with the correct, Early Bronco-specific wire colors, but using the same strategy as the light switch, it might be easily converted to whatever wire harness you're using, again without splicing into the wires themselves.

Pretty much the same issue anyone would have with some or all of the wiper, hazard, heater blower and brake pedal switches.
If you go with a non-stock color wire it might not be too much of a stretch to change over to new switches or connectors too. But whenever you want to keep some things original for a lower-hassle-factor replacement in the future, or whatever reason, maybe the female ends can be adapted to the housings for all of the above.

Seems a good reason to keep all of the old harness, when you have one that is, until the new one is completely installed.
I've had to resort to the old harnesses several times.

Paul

 

[ransil]

For a stock or close to it bronco a good drop in replacement harness use Centech.
for custom Ron Francis is the way to go,, biggest draw back on the Ron Francis is the Fuse box is big and you need to find a place for it, mine I cut out the dash speaker & ash tray and put it behind a panel.

I have installed 2 RF half dozen Centech and a painless.

 

[377]

American Autowire gets my vote. I installed one in my rig and it was laid out very well I thought. As mentioned earlier it also gives you extra circuits that are typical on a lot broncos VSS Speedo,electric fan, electric fuel pump, etc. I got mine from Wild Horses, go check their site they have a PDF of the instructions that gives you a really good idea of what you're getting.

377

 

[rockcrawler74]

I've installed 2 painless kits in jeeps and a Centech in my bronco, the Centech worked good for me because my wiring needs were pretty stock, I would use them again.

 

[eric0o1]

Mike, if you have any questions about the Painless harness I'd be glad to answer them. It's hard for me to detail some of it's features without it sounding like a sales pitch.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

I went Painless having never wired anything before in my life. Was easy, and the few issues I had the Tech department answered, even when it wasn't really a "Painless" issue but an issue with the person doing the work... I have pic's in the link below in my build thread.

 

[CooNut]

I am looking for a Harness right now as well. I found a third option if youre interested.

http://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=XP-784

 

[DirtDonk]

The RF units are very cool designs. The only downside I can see that people run into (without looking at all the details) is finding a happy place for the panel. It's easy to wire, but even this slightly smaller version of theirs is still fairly large so there are only a few places to mount one that's out of the way for most EB's.
Over on the driver's kick panel above and behind the parking brake comes to mind.

Paul