68 LWB to SWB conversion

[tod-hog]

Been eating up the forums lately. Considering getting a new wiring harness from aftermarket vendor as I will have the truck completely torn down. No problems with the current one just don't want to kick my self for not replacing when it was easy (relatively). What is the life expectancy of a hanress? Should I just re-use the old one and not worry about it? You seasoned vets must have an opinion.

[67effie]

I think it is more a matter of if you want to spend the time and money for a new one or just run what you have. My truck had sat for so long that corrosion started in on the wiring and trying to track down all of the bad wires is getting old. As soon as I have the money I am buying a new painless harness.

[FORDification]

I think a harness life depends partly on the previous owner. If he thought of himself as a wiring guru and decided to add aftermarket components by splicing into the existing harness, and/or tried his own wiring repairs himself when he had no idea what he's really doing, then obviously that's going to trash out a harness pretty quickly. However, normally aging will take it's toll, of course. However, I'm actually very impressed with the condition of the wiring harness of the '67 F100 Camper Special from a recent parts truck, which is the one I'll be using for my project. Granted, the truck only had 29,000 original miles but there only appears to be one wire which will need replaced. All the rest, even the rear wiring, is in great shape, and I don't feel any apprehension about reusing it.

I don't know....I think for the most part that wiring on these old trucks is fairly simple and straight-forward, and replacing a harness even after the truck is completely reassembled isn't too big of a task. In fact, it might make it easier with all the electrical components in place, so you'll have a better idea how much to trim an aftermarket harness (if needed).