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[ 11 posts ] |
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American Autowire experience?
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Eck
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:33 pm Posts: 2460
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American Autowire experience?
So I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a wiring harness and was all but convinced I was going to get the Centech because of price, but Justin convinced me to look at American Autowire. ( http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Am ... co_Harness) I have read a little bit on CB.com and it seems like everyone seems to be happy with whatever wiring harness they have used in their own Bronco-- so no real help in choosing one over the other. It does appear that the AAW harness has a few more capabilities than the Centech and a few differences. Does the Centech come with the headlight pigtails or do you have to recycle? It appears the AAW comes with new? The seperate under dash dome lighting in the AAW looks interesting-- I was wanting to add some of these lights if possible. Anyone done this? Overall, it looks as if the AAW gives you many more options than the Centech? The FUSE BOX looks like it is also labeled with each fuse's use? Lastly (calling Viperwolf1)- I am somewhat concerned of the warnings listed. Specifically the lack of ammeter support, the alternator issue, and possibly the ignition system issue (although it looks like you can get around this.) I am planning to add a stereo system with amp and thinking I should upgrade the alternator anyways. Thoughts? If anyone has installed this or has experience with wiring-- looking for any help in choosing one over the other. I would rather not get the Painless since it is an extra $300-400. -Eck
_________________ 69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:39 am |
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Viperwolf1
Official CCB Member
Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 10:37 pm Posts: 1485
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Re: American Autowire experience?
Lack of ammeter support is not a big deal. The factory wiring was just robust enough to handle the low current alternators of the time. A voltmeter can easily replace the ammeter in the stock gauge cluster. If you use a harness that retains the stock ammeter it will limit you on alternator choices.
Alternator issue? You don't need a 1-wire alternator and I don't recommend them. You can use the original alternator if you want. Just need to keep the old regulator wiring. Personnally I would use a 3G.
Ignition wiring is not big problem. Just need an ignition resistor.
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:03 pm |
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Gregg
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2010 11:08 am Posts: 1060
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Re: American Autowire experience?
cool. Keep posting on when this will happen. I want to watch and learn. Price seems pretty darn good.
_________________ Definition of cool.
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:13 pm |
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Eck
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:33 pm Posts: 2460
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Re: American Autowire experience?
One more thing that I noticed, is that the AAW does not seem to come loomed (added cost.) Wild Horses has a loom kit for $125. Anybody know if this could be bought elsewhere for cheaper?
_________________ 69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:22 pm |
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akaFrankCastle
Official CCB Member
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:25 pm Posts: 4901 Images: 0 Location: Colorado Springs
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Re: American Autowire experience?
Plastic wire loom can be picked up in 10' sections for 5 bucks at an Auto Zone. 30 bucks for 20' of braided. Some quick math tells me you can probably put together something to wrap and protect your new harness for a bit cheaper than what a vendor will charge.
_________________ Stroppe'd 1972 Sport, 302, 3 speed with old school Duff floor shifter, T shift Dana 20 with JB Fab twin stick, 4.11 gears with Trac-loc, Lincoln hydroboost, Chevy disc conversion, WH gas lift gate shock kit, 33" Duratrac tires on slots and about 2.5" of lift, Stroppe installed: bumper braces, dual shocks on all four corners, GM power steering, trans cooler mount, auto shift column, rollbar.
The Terrible One 1972 Sport uncut, 302, C4 with 1974 column , T shift Dana 20, 3.50 gears w/ limited slip, 1966 U13 Roadster kick panel, and factory power steering.
1973 Stroppe Baja project
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:41 pm |
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Kinder
Official CCB Member
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:03 pm Posts: 4371 Images: 0 Location: Parker, CO
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Re: American Autowire experience?
I'm a fan of how Ford did it, electrical tape with cloth or rubber sections were there might be abrasion.
_________________ Best to Date MPG: 26.6
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:59 pm |
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Justin
Official CCB Member
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:04 am Posts: 6198 Images: 0 Location: Lakewood
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Re: American Autowire experience?
x2 ammeter support not being a big deal. My Centech has it and doesn't read half the stuff on my truck since it's wired through other other circuits. If I remember correctly the Centech does have new headlight pigtails, although if the AAW harness has them on a relay that would be an improvement. The fuse panel on the Centech is labeled with each fuse's use. The lack of looming is a bit of a PITA. I hadn't realized that when we were talking about it the other day. That alone would nudge me towards the centech, but it isn't really a hard thing to overcome. I'd order the loom of your choice off the interwebs. I'm partial to the plastic split loom that Centech uses as it's really to add and modify the harness.
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Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:45 pm |
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bones
Official CCB Member
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:57 am Posts: 63
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Re: American Autowire experience?
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Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:08 am |
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Eck
Official CCB Member
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:33 pm Posts: 2460
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Re: American Autowire experience?
Ordered the AAW harness this evening. Ultimately, I liked that it had a complete set of wiring color coded diagrams that made a lot more sense to look at than the Centech directions. It also seemed to be a bit more updated and I know that JBG helped with the design so I am sure that it is fairly complete. I will post up when I plan to start with the re-wire in case anyone is interested in coming by to help/learn with me. Also-- I am going to have to upgrade my alternator to a 3G 1-wire alternator. Believe it or not, I have never walked a PNP yard and would love to tag a long with someone on their next run if possible. I am going to need to find the alternator as well as a v belt pulley for it since most of them come with the serp pulley. Does anyone know what donors to look for the pulley? I found this link for the alternator donors ( http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/843356). If anyone cares to look out for one if they are walking yards in the next couple of weeks...
_________________ 69 Wagon, 351W, Explorer EFI & Serpentine, ZF5, 35" tires, 3.5 SL, 2 BL, WARN 8274
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Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:40 am |
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plumbdoctor
Official CCB Member
Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:17 pm Posts: 568 Images: 0 Location: Golden
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Re: American Autowire experience?
Just go serp set up
_________________ Your sh!* is my bread and butter!
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Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:24 pm |
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akaFrankCastle
Official CCB Member
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:25 pm Posts: 4901 Images: 0 Location: Colorado Springs
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Re: American Autowire experience?
Gonna have to have the balancers redone for that 351W.
_________________ Stroppe'd 1972 Sport, 302, 3 speed with old school Duff floor shifter, T shift Dana 20 with JB Fab twin stick, 4.11 gears with Trac-loc, Lincoln hydroboost, Chevy disc conversion, WH gas lift gate shock kit, 33" Duratrac tires on slots and about 2.5" of lift, Stroppe installed: bumper braces, dual shocks on all four corners, GM power steering, trans cooler mount, auto shift column, rollbar.
The Terrible One 1972 Sport uncut, 302, C4 with 1974 column , T shift Dana 20, 3.50 gears w/ limited slip, 1966 U13 Roadster kick panel, and factory power steering.
1973 Stroppe Baja project
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Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:32 pm |
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