|
|
Nov 20, 2014 16:36:50 GMT
|
So folks - I seem to have a habit of buying old cars with shonky wiring - my Cortina had the most hacked about wiring loom in history, and my Jag seems to be a close second! Having sorted out the non-charging alternator on the Jag (which turned out to be dodgy wiring), the horns started going off at random - probably more dodgy wiring! So, I think it needs a re-wire, and while I'm at it, it would seem sensible to put in more fuses, relays etc and run power for the stereo, rally trip, electric fan etc, and I'd also like to put the battery in the boot. Now, I can buy a standard loom off the shelf, but that won't provide the additional fusing, relays and supplies. The alternative is to start from scratch, buy all the components separately and build the loom to suit. However, I have seen that you can get custom wiring looms - Painless, EZ etc but they are mostly designed for hotrods and will they have enough length for a Mk2 Jag? Has anyone had any experience of re-wiring and customising wiring looms - any help would be appreciated. Also any pointers for good auto-electricians who might be able to do it (I really, really hate car electrics!) Not my car! Not mine either Any help would be appreciated. cheers Cortinaman
|
|
Old Fords never die they just go sideways
|
|
|
|
Nov 20, 2014 17:11:33 GMT
|
I have a really good contact in Ipswich, 40+ years in the trade so worked on most of our cars when they were new. Of course, depends if you're near Ipswich but if of use pm me and I'll forward you his contact details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 20, 2014 17:27:13 GMT
|
I have someone who could re-wire the national grid. Se London. Drop a pm to me. If you're nearby...
|
|
New cars. Who needs em.....
|
|
madmog
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,152
Club RR Member Number: 46
|
Re-wiring a classic carmadmog
@madmog
Club Retro Rides Member 46
|
Nov 20, 2014 21:44:34 GMT
|
When I rewired my Minor, which had a different engine, relocated fusebox etc, I found it easiest to buy a new loom then alter it (quite a bit) to suit. I also downloaded & printed off the BMC wiring codes for things that weren't originally in the Minor (Eg foglights, reversing light) so that in the future when I had forgotten, I could use that to know what a particular wire did on my car. I ordered more than enough wire from Vehicle Wiring products for the extra functions I was adding. Also for any wires I was extending. With the new standard loom, I identified every wire end and labelled it with masking tape then fitted loosely in the original positions. The things that were still in the original position were quickly wired in then one by one the things that had moved had their wires lengthened or shortened. By splicing into the middle of a wire it's one less connector to buy and solder Ie you cut the middle and solder in the extra length. Then I ran the new wires from the new thing (say foglights) along a route of existing wires going back to the fusebox. It's worth having more fusebox than you immediately need so you can easily add things in the future and not need in-line fuses. I ran a couple of extra wires from the fusebox into the boot and some into the engine bay before taping up the loom unfused and unused to allow things to be added later without butchering the wiring. Wire is cheap. It can look daunting but if you take your time and plan ahead it's straightforward.
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 20, 2014 21:46:23 GMT by madmog
|
|
|
|
|
I have just wired a 1930's Austin to include an new lights, alternator and fuse box all from scratch and also in the process of rewiring a dolomite using an original loom but fitting a newer fuse/ relay box, electric windows, central locking, upgraded lights and few other bits and will next year be doing the same with a Triumph 1300. Take it slowly and use decent diagrams and teats everything as you go along making sure you are using the correct ampage wire for the application as well as the right fuses/ connections, don't cut corners or try to save a few pennies by using cheap connections/ joiners and you should be fine. For most of my electrical bits I use www.12voltplanet.co.uk/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
retroade Thanks retroade - I'm in Surrey, so Ipswich might be a bit of a trek. But cheers anyway. jeffeRS Cheers mate - I'll drop you a PM - SE London is not too far away! madmog That's really useful - it does make me think I could do it myself @1300dolly Thanks for that - the link to 12vplanet gives a good alternative to Vehicle Wiring Products who I've used before.
|
|
Old Fords never die they just go sideways
|
|
Kieran
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,092
|
|
Nov 21, 2014 10:38:50 GMT
|
You can get universal kit car looms with a modern fuse and relay box, with the basics fitted. Should do for a classic.
|
|
The Ashby Jackson fleet:-
1979 Mini Clubman 1.8 K series 1978 Skoda 110r Project 130RS K-oupe 1978 Austin Allegro 1500 SDL Estate 1984 BMW K100 Sidecar outfit 1999 Yamaha FZS 1000 Fazer 1991 Kawasaki ZXR400 race bike 2002 Kawasaki ZX9r race bike
|
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2014 11:18:57 GMT
|
If I were a nuclear physicist, I'd rewire the RR, but as I'm not I won't. But heartily second the recommendation for the 12voltplanet guys, helpful and quick to respond.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2014 18:35:33 GMT
|
I find that 12V planet are either the same price or slightly cheaper than VWP and their customer service and in stock levels are many times better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2014 14:24:10 GMT
|
i cant recommend painless wiring kit, in theory sounds good, but in practice its a PITA kit, cables incorrectly identified and the cables/wires seem to thin to me.
i would do whats suggested above IE: buy a new loom for your car and modify as required
|
|
Last Edit: Nov 23, 2014 14:25:23 GMT by hardtop
|
|