wiring supplies, Wanna make a new lighting harness Options

[Sparky]

So where do I get the wire from? I'd like to use the same colors as in the factory harness example: the right side marker and right tailights are a shared gray wire w/red tracer on a '72.

I checked the McMasters-Carr site but found doodley poop.

Suggestions?

My best,
Mike D.

[lapuwali]

QUOTE (eric914 @ Oct 5 2005, 08:14 AM)

I know it is a pain but you could strip a wire harness from a parts car. If your only goal is to get the wire you can cut the connectors off the ends to make pulling it easier. I have the harnesses from two part cars and they are a good source for pieces. Eric

The only real problem with using old harnesses is that insulation DOES age, and that's the primary reason to replace wires. I'm reusing some of the OEM wire in my new harness, particularly the large gauge red wires, mostly to avoid paying out serious money for 250ft of 10g red wire, when I only need about 10ft of it to do the car. If you follow this route, inspect the wire carefully. Bend it in places and look for cracking, and feel the insulation to see if it's brittle or still pliable. Wire that's actually in the engine bay, or near the exhaust, is particularly prone to suffering long-term damage. Oil-soaked wire is also likely to be unusable.

Newer insulation is also better than what was used when the cars were first built. A replacement harness with high quality wire will very probably outlive the rest of the car.

Waytek also sells good quality polyolefin wire covering, and it's an excellent idea to use as much of this as you can afford to protect the long runs of the harness, and particularly in any high oil or heat areas.