1-10 How difficult is it to change a wiring harness?

[boynton6spd]

I have a 67 Impala Fastback and I'm considering swapping the old harness for a painless harness (complete).
I know it's not as easy as painless says...but can an avg mechanic do it in a weekend?
Help please...
-Matt

[dhutton]

Is the Painless harness an exact replacement of the original harness or is it one of the generic ones? Which harness it it?

[boynton6spd]

I'm looking at a generic one for saving money...
Are the others alot easier...and worth the extra cost?
I appreciate any feedback!

[dhutton]

I would use the exact duplicate if the cost difference is not too big. The job is easy then, just plug and play. What is the cost difference? Have you done something like this before?

Don

[boynton6spd]

I just did some research. Universal only...no model specific available for the 67.
I have never done this before, but my car is being disassembled for paint and figured I could do it while it was apart...

[dhutton]

These guys sell exact reproduction Impala harnesses:

http://www.impalaparts.com/Store/index.php

I'm sure others do too.

[XLexusTech]

I have adone a few and its not too difficlut at all. I would however recomend a mock up install before going for the gusto,

I gave it a 6-7

[Vegas69]

Definitely not a weekend job especially if you start from scratch. Really depends on how much custom stuff you plan to wire.

[boynton6spd]

Car does not have AC, only 7 circuits on original panel.
I will not be doing anything custom, no power windows etc or boom in the trunk. Bu w/a new harness there will always be the option of doing that later if funds become available.
I talked to painless yesterday and they told me to use the model specific harness for a 67 Chevelle and I should be good to go.

Thanks for all the advise,
If anybody has any specific tricks or hints, I'd love to hear them!

[JamesJ]

Thanks for all the advise,
If anybody has any specific tricks or hints, I'd love to hear them!

Like said before, you can lay it all out first and then do the install...

[SLAMDIMPALA]

Most companys that sell repo wiring ahrness are using american auto wire. I replaced my whole car wiring by aaw, the classic update kit for the 63 impala in about a weekend. Mind you that is also making all the plugs at the end. If you use repo wiring its just swapping old for new, just pull one out and replace it and that seems to be pretty fast.

[ProTouring442]

Personally, I would go with AAW. I have installed two Painless universal kits, and had trouble with a connector they use not being up to the task. Also, the Painless customer service has not been up to the level of AAW.

As for suggestions, get a GOOD soldering gun. I HIGHLY recommend the Wall Lenk 400C which can be seen here ( http://www.wlenk.com/soldering.html ). It heats up very fast, and is very durable. Frankly, it is a MUCH better unit as compared with any of the others I have used.

Also, make sure you have a good supply of heat shrink tubing on hand. All connections you make should be soldered and covered with a good quality heat shrink. McMaster Carr sells a nice selection of heat shrink tubing.

Otherwise, just take your time and be sure your wife/girlfriend is ready to massage your neck and back after you have spent your day in some god-awful weired positions!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[boynton6spd]

Thanks guys, this is great advice...

[barno68]

Painless is Ok, but it does not come with the connectors for the marker or rear lights. You have to splice in your old ones, which IMHO defeats the purpose of installing a new harness. It is definitely not a weekend job. The AAW kits come with all the connectors and might be able to be done over a weekend. As I am once again rewiring my car, this might be the route I go.

[sharp67]

Wiringharness.com I used all oem replacement harnesses on my 67 camaro from them and they were perfect and very easy to install. I just checked and they carry Impala product. they have a whole catalog gor your car.http://www.wiringharness.com/PDFS/FSC_2008_Chevrolet_Passenger.pdf

[LarryB]

AAW kits is some of the beat I've aver used 1-10 I think about a 7

[CarlC]

Another option would be to talk to M&H in California about what you want to do. They can add/modify a stock harness to your needs, therefore making it almost plug and play. For example, tell them you have an HEI and they will modify the harness accordingly.

[BSER]

I just completed installing and American Auot wire update kit in my 65 Elky. It was time consuming but very easy the instructions are very clear and having the wires labled every 3 inches made it a cinch. It came with options for elcectric fans, fuel pump, and plenty of spare spots for hooking in the odd accessory. The direct plug in for my Idit column was a no brainer; I have wired one into a friends car with stock wiring and it was a nightmare.

It was not a weekend job for me but I am kinda maticulous and hid all the wiring as much as possible (the extra lenght in the right spots made it easy but not quick) I ran the wiring in the frame and body panels as much as possible.

I also built a new guage panel from scratch with auto meter guages built in power outlet, stealth shift light etc; the kit also came with option for aftermarket guages as well as the stock set up.

I have never wired a car from scratch before but would have no problem doing it again. If you can read and take your time you will have no problem except sore muscles and eye strain.