In the garage and...hot?

[Billybobjunky]

So, I am gonna stick with my '67 harness, just gonna re-wire the whole thing while it's outta the truck. My question is how can I get that harness hot just like if it was in the truck while bein in the garage? I need this so I can more effectively trace breaks and whatnot before I put it back in the truck. Any help is appreciated guys, bc I would really hate to blow myself up, already had one battery blow up on my a few monthes back. Thanks guys!

[FORDification]

I'd suggest stringing the harness up onto a large chunk of plywood and attaching it so that all circuits are spread out and easy to get to. That way, any wiring that needs to be replaced can easily be sized to the correct length. Just make sure all end connectors are isolated from each other...that is, not touching.

I think once you get to this point it would be more prudent to use a tester to check wire continuity rather than making the harness 'hot'. Were you thinking about hooking it up with all types of accessories hooked up as well, like the voltage regulator, starter, alternator, etc.? While I've never done this so I can't speak from experience, I'd think you could probably hook up a battery to it too, just making sure you have it grounded it a couple strategic places, like maybe the starter solenoid bracket, voltage regular case, alternator case, etc.

However, I should state that automotive electricity is probably my weakest area, so maybe a few others with more experience can jump in here.

[fordman]

i thought you wanted to warm it up so it would be more flexable before you put it back in.

[Billybobjunky]

Haha, fordman, close but no cigar!

[mrung0wa]

Be careful with that axe Eugene!!!
Lawrence

[Jake11]

Go over all the wires you can with yer eyeballs and hands, and look for
defects. If you find any, patch them. If you need help, pm me.
If it looks good to you, install it. A couple things you should get if you are
going to do electrical, are a testlight, a volt/ohm meter, a soldering gun,
to start out with.

[FORDification]

Of course, you always have the option of just replacing your messed-up harness with one from another truck. Here's an E-bay listing for one from a '68, with the only differences being in the ignition switch hookup (remedied by just using a '68 switch) and the heater blower motor switch (easy to fix).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/complete ... 1160QQrdZ1

[Billybobjunky]

Equipped with my spring-loaded wire-strippers, industrial crimpers, and a test light, i've succesfully rewired my entire pick-up!!! Actually, now it's better! Thanks to a few nifty lil tricks, I now have emergency flashers, a workin tachometer, oil gauge, horn, courtesy lights and even a cigarrette lighter! Oh yeah! Gotta love it huh? Thanks for the help guys!

[wt4speed#2]

Hey there electrically talented lil buddy , did you noitce when you where here the other nite my harness was nearly out on the floor , you know what they say practice,practice ,practice > And I'm just willing to loan you mine just for that purpose

Way to go Cal , keep up the good work

Tony B

[dcbullet]

Equipped with my spring-loaded wire-strippers, industrial crimpers, and a test light, i've succesfully rewired my entire pick-up!!! Actually, now it's better! Thanks to a few nifty lil tricks, I now have emergency flashers, a workin tachometer, oil gauge, horn, courtesy lights and even a cigarrette lighter! Oh yeah! Gotta love it huh? Thanks for the help guys!

You rewired your whole truck in a day!

It took me three saturdays to get my screwed up wiring fixed on my truck, and the cargo light still doesn't work.

Good job!