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  1. #1

    Default Cutting connectors and re wiring?

    I知 in the process of stripping out the wiring in my 86 coupe, to replace it with the 12 circuit harness from ezwiring. The car will have mostly just the lights and signals, it will be a street/strip car that痴 driven only when it痴 nice outside. I知 spending a lot of time to get all the wires of the circuits I知 wanting to keep (I.e lights, signals) separated.

    My question is, given that I値l be re wiring the car with the ezwiring kit, should I just cut the wires a foot or two off the the plugs at the lights and at the column to save time since I値l be running new wires anyway? This is my fist time re wiring a car so im trying not to be short sighted and avoid screwing my self later.

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    I have never installed an EZ Wiring kit, so I might be incorrect. I have installed several Ron Francis and Painless kits. Personally not a fan of Painless, but overall really like the Ron Francis setup. In my experience most of the aftermarket wiring kits are designed around GM steering columns, etc. Also most of the generic wiring kits do not include any of the pigtails or at least not the model specific pigtails for tail lights, etc.

    I would recommend laying out the EZ wiring kit either in the car if gutted or at least beside the car to verify how and what exactly you have, especially if this is your first rewiring job. Most likely you will find that it is easier and better for you to keep long sections of the OEM wiring to help complete the job. In my experience if the tail light harness is in good shape it is easier and less time consuming to splice into the OEM setup than to run all new wires. The steering column and steering switch gears can be the same unless you a running a bare bones setup, but with the signals, wipers, flashers, ignition, etc. on the column there can be a lot of wiring. The same is true for the instrument cluster and Heater/HVAC setup depending on what and how much of that is retained. Good Luck!
    ​Trey

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  3. #3
    FEP Senior Member
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    I prefer to de-pin connectors rather than just cut them off if you don't need the wire. It makes it have less of a shorting issue. Otherwise, I'd follow Trey's advice on laying the harness out to understand all that is needed to be modified, removed, or added.
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  4. #4
    FEP Senior Member 83gt351w's Avatar
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    Basin, I have done this, and while very nice, it’s difficult without the right tools. Which tool do you use on the old ford connectors?

  5. #5
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    OTC 4460 2-piece Electrical Connector Separator Tool.
    Owatonna Tool Company stuff is very good.






    JA Cook likes to give each clip the Texan shot glass treatment, and soak in mineral terps, then wash out with clean water. Then dry. Then use an Exacto knife to trim the clips so they don't grab so serverly.

  6. #6
    FEP Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by 83gt351w View Post
    Basin, I have done this, and while very nice, it’s difficult without the right tools. Which tool do you use on the old ford connectors?
    I use a small pick set that I have. Nothing fancy.

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