• Notice for iPhone users: DO NOT use the image size reduction option when uploading photos to the forum. This causes portrait images to post as landscape. We have added a warning to the image insert pop-up as well.

Replacement Electrical Harness

I

ispear

New member
City
Oklahoma City
State
OK
Hello,

I about to start the restoration process on my '81 Scrambler with the 4.2L straight-six. One of the main items on my list is to replace the electrical harness. The original insulation on the wires cracks off just by touching them. I've done a little research and have found options anywhere from low $200 to over $1,800. Does anyone have a recommendation for a harness source?

Thanks again for the help!

-Isaac
 
I have always liked Painless. I have installed three of them and they are well made and truly 'painless" to install.
 
Another vote for Painless. I'm just getting to the electrical in my restoration project and can't believe how easy Painless makes it. The harness is setup great, labeling is great both individual wires' printed description and wire group labels. And the manual is just outstanding. You just don't see that attention to detail anymore. If you go with Painless, read the manual several times and make all your notes in it. Even the direct CJ replacement harness is not 100% plug and play because of the different parts used in different model years. But the manual explains in detail what modifications you need to do for your specific year.
 
Awesome! Thanks for the recommendations. I'm going to head that direction.
 
Another one to look at is Centech out of Pennsylvania. No experience with them(I first knew of them 25 years ago as they were making harnesses in a garage next to my friend from high school. They have since moved to a different location)
 
Painless for the win. However you will see that they have the more expensive terminated ends kit that is plug and play. They also have a cheaper kit that you have to do the final terminations. It’s not worth the savings in my opinion.

EDIT: as stated below as well - aftermarket gauges are easy to add in to the Painless full kit - I also have Speedhut.
 
Last edited:
Nope, get the full Painless kit. It is really well designed to just plug right in.
 
Not that it's needed but +1 for the full Painless kit. I have it ready to go in my project and I laid it out and went through the instructions (which are the most thorough I've ever seen). It was super easy to modify to work with my Speedhut gauges as well. I also got their ground strap and battery cable kits.
 
I've got all speedhut too and I second their fitment with those gauges. I was truly impressed with how in-depth their instructions were, taking into account almost all variations one can think of.
 
yep yep all above is true plus painless offers an assortment of add-on accessory kits in just about any use size you want to fill those needs .And if your like a lot of us ,you will add on . hehehehe .
 
But if you are using the Speed Hut gauges and going with a late model fuel injected engine is the Painless worth the price? Most kits come with the GM turn signal/ ignition adapter.
 
STSFCTN said:
But if you are using the Speed Hut gauges and going with a late model fuel injected engine is the Painless worth the price? Most kits come with the GM turn signal/ ignition adapter.
Click to expand...
I've got speed hut gages and a fuel injected 351 with an AX15 and the painless wiring harness was worth every penny to me.
 
Apologies if this is a hijack but I'm wondering how you all with the Painless harness organized and secured all the wiring behind the dash so that it stays put and doesn't hang down in the way of anything, including where you mounted the Painless relay box.
 
Corrugated split loom in various sizes and lengths, electric tape and zip ties. Lots of zip ties.
 
STSFCTN said:
jc, I am in the same boat. I was considering a kit like this https://www.amazon.com/ROLINGER-Assortment-Retainer-Different-Replacement/dp/B07H5GRB8K/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=harness+retainer+strap+automotive&qid=1639517551&sr=8-3&th=1

I made the mistake of buying the wrong wiper motor (83+) so I bought the ford intermittent wiper switch and relay that snaps right into this kit.
Click to expand...
I tried a Ford one and it did not work properly, maybe it was an issue with years but it all plugged right together(tried about 6 I pulled from a yard 10 years ago)
 
Gotcha. I picked up some split loom and have been looming up the harness where needed. I'll probably pick up a clip set like that one and am thinking about these as a way to secure where there aren't any holes for clips...https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFH3Z1H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For the Painless relay box I'll probably secure to the firewall as high up as possible.
 
generalmoto said:
Side note, pull a few extra wires front to dash to rear etc. so when you add a light or want a switch somewhere new, you don't have to pull your loom apart. when you need it, its' there.
Click to expand...
And when you do this, pull twice as many as you think you will ever need.

Don’t ask how I know…
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top