Wiring Harnesses - Is NOS the way to go?

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

The wires on my truck (believed to be original) simply crumble when you touch them. To be expected from wiring insulation that's 60 years old, but I'm wondering about using NOS wiring harnesses in terms of longevity. Even if a NOS harness looks good and is pliable it's still at least 40 years old or older (last ones made in the 1970's I'm assuming). Will they hold up if installed today?

I've bought a few NOS smaller harnesses and now I'm having second thoughts about installing them when the time comes. Will they just dry up and desintegrate or will they last another 20 or 30 years? Obviously newer repop harnesses are painfully expensive....but if they last 3 or 4 times longer than an NOS harness maybe their worth it? Looking for your input on this one. Has anyone installed an NOS harness in the past.........is it still flexible and intact? I'm not knocking NOS harnesses, just realizing that having to replace a harness twice down the road is not going to be fun (or cheap). Let me know what you guys think.

thanks,
bob

[jordankjcm]

In my opinion, stay away from the NOS wiring harness and NOS seals (of all types). As far as the wiring harness goes, you cannot beat a new one from Vintage Wiring of Maine. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for and you'll only have pay for a wiring harness once in your lifetime. I just got mine for my B1 and love it....great workmanship and quality. Just my 2 cents worth.

JJ

[jimmy_stikx]

Wiring harnesses from Painless might be an option as well. Actually plan to do that myself

[Cal_Gary]

I used a Painless harness on mine-no complaints but I will confess I did not wire it into the headlight switch, using a civvy switch was easier.
Gary

[refit1701]

I have a VWM harness for my truck. I have been picking up pieces of NOS harnesses the last couple of years just as a curiosity. The ones I have are very nice and not stiff and cracking.

I'd say it would depend on what you intend to do with your truck. If you are going to keep it in protected storage and only bring it out for shows and a few trail rides each year, you could use NOS. But if you are gonna park it behind the wife's car and use it all the time, better a new harness.

[Tanner]

Painless Wiring harnesses are not painless on the wallet. If you or anyone else is looking to use a non-stock harness, then I'd recommend that you contact Bob Miller in Tennessee at Rebel Wire... he uses heavy-duty grade SXL wire & quality crimp connections at the fuse panel. Excellent quality harnesses & great support.

http://rebelwire.com/rebel-wire-product ... ire%20Kits

'Tanner'

[m-37Bruce]

Painless Wiring harnesses are not painless on the wallet. If you or anyone else is looking to use a non-stock harness, then I'd recommend that you contact Bob Miller in Tennessee at Rebel Wire... he uses heavy-duty grade SXL wire & quality crimp connections at the fuse panel. Excellent quality harnesses & great support.

http://rebelwire.com/rebel-wire-product ... ire%20Kits

'Tanner'

Tanner, Did you use the Rebel Kit, which one?

[nhjohnny1]

My truck had been converted to 12v before me so im going with it, I to am curious which rebel wire harness worked for you, I was thinking the 9+3
Thanks

[Tanner]

Painless Wiring harnesses are not painless on the wallet. If you or anyone else is looking to use a non-stock harness, then I'd recommend that you contact Bob Miller in Tennessee at Rebel Wire... he uses heavy-duty grade SXL wire & quality crimp connections at the fuse panel. Excellent quality harnesses & great support.

http://rebelwire.com/rebel-wire-product ... ire%20Kits

'Tanner'

Tanner, Did you use the Rebel Kit, which one?

Bruce:

My friends & I have used Rebel harnesses on street-rods & VW dune buggies, with varying numbers of circuits - I've been doing the VW's. The harnesses have all been excellent quality - I work in the wire manufacturing & connector industry, so I'm pretty well-versed in wire quality, materials used, etc. And if I don't have an answer, I ask my Engineers in office!

Count up the number of circuits you need & go from there, is the only recommendation I can offer.

'Tanner'

[m-37Bruce]

Thanks Tanner,
I might go this route? I was going to use a Greek Harness (front & rear) that I've had for a while, got it from Sid beck before went to the Great Motor Pool.