Wiring Harness journal

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
203
Reaction score
215
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
You got the turn signal switch figured out. Great job with the pictures. The brake light switch that is zip tied to that bracket is where the cruise control vacuum release should go. I would recommend you remove that switch and put it back in the original hole on the other side. I couldn't tell from your pictures what's in that hole. Maybe the original switch broken off?
 

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
You got the turn signal switch figured out. Great job with the pictures. The brake light switch that is zip tied to that bracket is where the cruise control vacuum release should go. I would recommend you remove that switch and put it back in the original hole on the other side. I couldn't tell from your pictures what's in that hole. Maybe the original switch broken off?
On the other side of what? Anyway, I don't think I'll ever be using cruise control again, plus literally everything else for it is missing. I'll probably remove the switch but hang on to it in a box or something
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
203
Reaction score
215
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
When you go to install the bulkhead connector, make sure all the terminals are fully seated on the fuse block side. When I first did mine, the terminals for the starter switch weren't all the way snapped in, and I couldn't start the truck. Also, make sure the connector is very tight. I had to move the connector around as I was tightening it for it to fully seat
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
203
Reaction score
215
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
On the other side of what? Anyway, I don't think I'll ever be using cruise control again, plus literally everything else for it is missing. I'll probably remove the switch but hang on to it in a box or something
Picture 143213, the switch on the left should be for your brake lights, the zip tied in switch on the right should be the vacuum release. Maybe the switch on the left is bad? Was it plugged into any of the harness connectors?
 

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
Both of the switches had wiring plugged into them. The non zip ties switch is definitely the brake lights. I just got finished converting to hydroboost and had to adjust that because my brake lights were always on. The switch on the right didn't have a vacuum light attached to it but maybe Im just not seeing the port. When I get back under there, I'll cut the zip ties off the switch, pull it out and get some better pictures
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
203
Reaction score
215
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
That zip tied switch is also a brake light switch. It would be used in place of a brake light switch with only 2 terminals. Brake lights on one set of terminals, and cruise control on the other set. Someone jury rigged it in that bracket, who knows for what
 

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
I couldn't stand the thought of plugging my new wiring harness into a ****** old turn signal switch so I went ahead and got a new one. Pulled the steering wheel (barely, the threads on the wheel that you use for the puller are totally stripped, I'll have to get a new wheel now) and removed the old turn signal switch and lock cylinder. Didn't get as far as snaking in the new switch, maybe tomorrow

I got the wiring finished up for the wiper switch, after finding a new bulb socket. I have it attached to my old wiper switch for now, but I ordered a new one that should be here in a few days
 

Attachments

  • 20230320_160722.jpg
    20230320_160722.jpg
    156.4 KB · Views: 50
  • 20230320_160718.jpg
    20230320_160718.jpg
    162.8 KB · Views: 48
  • 20230320_160709.jpg
    20230320_160709.jpg
    116.2 KB · Views: 46
  • 20230320_160641.jpg
    20230320_160641.jpg
    136.4 KB · Views: 44

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
Old turn signal switch was broken in a few spots and it felt terrible.
 

Attachments

  • 20230320_153415.jpg
    20230320_153415.jpg
    138.3 KB · Views: 40
  • 20230320_153410.jpg
    20230320_153410.jpg
    70.5 KB · Views: 42
  • 20230320_153405.jpg
    20230320_153405.jpg
    115.4 KB · Views: 47

Randy and Easton

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Posts
877
Reaction score
1,227
Location
North Richland Hills, Texas
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C-10 LWB
Engine Size
350
American Autowire kit install today. Cleaned up the PO (s) headlight wiring and hopefully high beam and low beam problem (one each on at same time, passed inspection thought!)

Pretty straight forward install except what they do not tell you is the connectors are all Delco and need a special crimping tool that is $90 at summit (not spending that for 2 connections) I struggled with the double connections but used some soder and a lot of finesse and got them to work. Added 30A breaker and everything worked as advertised. Correct lights are on at same time and much brighter as advertised.

Worth the money to clean up the back job wiring and get the load off the headlight switch.

Randy and E
 

Attachments

  • 3E77F1E7-D2B4-4708-AD79-EF117753473F.jpeg
    3E77F1E7-D2B4-4708-AD79-EF117753473F.jpeg
    113.6 KB · Views: 46
  • 3C6BE809-BB55-499C-BDD9-5D2D9E48C31E.jpeg
    3C6BE809-BB55-499C-BDD9-5D2D9E48C31E.jpeg
    144.9 KB · Views: 47
  • 53903B80-49A9-4D44-88A9-6C6674380BD1.jpeg
    53903B80-49A9-4D44-88A9-6C6674380BD1.jpeg
    123.4 KB · Views: 40
  • 8FFD30A8-188A-4463-A492-652FE39C5821.jpeg
    8FFD30A8-188A-4463-A492-652FE39C5821.jpeg
    100.4 KB · Views: 45
  • 79026556-9F53-4B50-8336-0C8593395B94.jpeg
    79026556-9F53-4B50-8336-0C8593395B94.jpeg
    185.5 KB · Views: 38

Randy and Easton

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Posts
877
Reaction score
1,227
Location
North Richland Hills, Texas
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C-10 LWB
Engine Size
350
A few more pictures. Heading to get new wire loom and done for today.
 

Attachments

  • 22E57662-01B4-4DB6-9DB7-DDEDDFD25B89.jpeg
    22E57662-01B4-4DB6-9DB7-DDEDDFD25B89.jpeg
    108.8 KB · Views: 37
  • 3568B166-1F13-44B2-8754-71C41F24AC73.jpeg
    3568B166-1F13-44B2-8754-71C41F24AC73.jpeg
    130 KB · Views: 42
  • DDB46447-951E-4B39-898C-9E6BCDBC51DE.jpeg
    DDB46447-951E-4B39-898C-9E6BCDBC51DE.jpeg
    119.2 KB · Views: 53
  • 3E8B0C11-1E3C-4CEE-AA27-DF0C04592DCA.jpeg
    3E8B0C11-1E3C-4CEE-AA27-DF0C04592DCA.jpeg
    192 KB · Views: 45
  • 279F5832-278C-4C24-B0F8-994EE4FD454C.jpeg
    279F5832-278C-4C24-B0F8-994EE4FD454C.jpeg
    90.8 KB · Views: 47

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
203
Reaction score
215
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
American Autowire kit install today. Cleaned up the PO (s) headlight wiring and hopefully high beam and low beam problem (one each on at same time, passed inspection thought!)

Pretty straight forward install except what they do not tell you is the connectors are all Delco and need a special crimping tool that is $90 at summit (not spending that for 2 connections) I struggled with the double connections but used some soder and a lot of finesse and got them to work. Added 30A breaker and everything worked as advertised. Correct lights are on at same time and much brighter as advertised.

Worth the money to clean up the back job wiring and get the load off the headlight switch.

Randy and E
You can get those crimpers on Amazon for about $18. Look for non-insulated open barrel terminal crimping tool. They have several and are real handy if you do a complete harness replacement. I have a set of iWiss that work well
 

Randy and Easton

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Posts
877
Reaction score
1,227
Location
North Richland Hills, Texas
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C-10 LWB
Engine Size
350
Been nice if I had know that before I ripped all the wiring out of the headlights. Funny, the company videos that explain the process do not mention aforementioned specialty crimpers and clearly state how easy the process is.

I figured it out and made it work, but all on the fly.

#neveraseasyastheysay
 

Attachments

  • 6AF0899E-7289-4441-8860-BF154BBA1486.jpeg
    6AF0899E-7289-4441-8860-BF154BBA1486.jpeg
    146.1 KB · Views: 50
  • B1238CBF-8E75-4B24-BAAC-70EEB6918898.jpeg
    B1238CBF-8E75-4B24-BAAC-70EEB6918898.jpeg
    182.3 KB · Views: 45
  • 7C4AB7A0-6A09-4038-A2B3-BC1FE8E7FDD5.jpeg
    7C4AB7A0-6A09-4038-A2B3-BC1FE8E7FDD5.jpeg
    81.8 KB · Views: 45
  • EBFEA51C-0C82-4916-BFAF-0DC6F6BB4071.jpeg
    EBFEA51C-0C82-4916-BFAF-0DC6F6BB4071.jpeg
    185.5 KB · Views: 55
  • E4A8E54F-80A4-4072-B60A-FCA4D84B766A.jpeg
    E4A8E54F-80A4-4072-B60A-FCA4D84B766A.jpeg
    86.2 KB · Views: 48

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
American Autowire kit install today. Cleaned up the PO (s) headlight wiring and hopefully high beam and low beam problem (one each on at same time, passed inspection thought!)

Pretty straight forward install except what they do not tell you is the connectors are all Delco and need a special crimping tool that is $90 at summit (not spending that for 2 connections) I struggled with the double connections but used some soder and a lot of finesse and got them to work. Added 30A breaker and everything worked as advertised. Correct lights are on at same time and much brighter as advertised.

Worth the money to clean up the back job wiring and get the load off the headlight switch.

Randy and E
Couldn't you buy the headlight connector kit and not have to buy the crimpers?
 

Randy and Easton

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Posts
877
Reaction score
1,227
Location
North Richland Hills, Texas
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C-10 LWB
Engine Size
350
Yes. I did not know they were special and we did not buy them. Figured out about 2 hours into the project that they were special. But @Juggernaut above said $18 on scamazon. Been nice to have them, those two 12 gauge crimps took over an hour to make work… $18 would have been well worth it. The big thing is it was never mentioned on their website or videos that the tool was needed. I guess most guys are smarter than me and probably already know that! And we were well into the tear out so waiting a day for Scamazon really was not in the cards. Wife wanted her garage back

What we have learned here! A few more projects left and the big stuff is finally finished. Dash and door panels this week and 2/4 drop in a week and then dad is taking a break….

Randy and E
 

Dleslie212

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Posts
202
Reaction score
122
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Dustin
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
5.7L 350
After a two month delay due to completely rebuilding my steering column (twice) and replacing the steering shaft, I can finally continue with my wiring harness. I got the fuse block and the bulkhead both connected up and mounted today, and will be slowly wiring up as time and weather allow here in Phoenix. I'll make sure to post progress pictures every so often
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,851
Posts
903,507
Members
33,365
Latest member
rossivey
Top