Re-wiring the Old Pete for ABS trailers

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by Hogleg, Mar 10, 2017.

  1. Hogleg

    Hogleg Medium Load Member

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    @OldSchoolCool I am in the process of tearing out the complete rear truck harness and replacing it. It is so old and hacked that it is a safety hazard. If you touch a wire the insulation crumbles in your hand. Same on the front. Every time a wire went bad, the PO would leave it in place and run a new wire. Still trying to decide how to approach the internal harness and breakers. Most of them have been wired around with fuse holders. I think they must have gone bad and they did not want to replace them Trying to rig up a test jig to test them so I can wire them back in. Want to build a variable resistance bridge so I can run them up to above rated power to see if they trip correctly.
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    This is where I'm at with my 1980 KW. I've got every single wire gutted from the entire cab and chassis. I think a fresh approach is the way to go with something that has 35+ years of hack job repairs done. If your Pete is like my KW and has the headlights wired directly to the switch without a relay, I would consider installing a relay. I've been told it reduces voltage drop and thus lights the headlights better.
     
  4. Hogleg

    Hogleg Medium Load Member

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    Salem, Illinois
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    @NorthernMechanic or others - have you found a quality supplier of new wire? I am worried that the cheap plastic jacketed wire we find at the local parts stores will not last very long. Need some suggestions.
     
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I haven't really looked into wire yet. I'm thinking most of our bulk wire at our shop comes from industrial supply stores and such. I'm actually kicking around the idea of going to Painless or Ron Francis and buying a pre-wired fuse/relay block and a generic wiring harness that I can extend or modify to fit my cab. Provided they make one with enough circuits/large enough wires to handle the electrical demands required in a truck.
     
    Hogleg Thanks this.
  6. Hogleg

    Hogleg Medium Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2016
    Salem, Illinois
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    Going to try Wirebarn. Was reading on a jalopy web site that they have a pretty good rep on wire quality and price. Will probably buy a selection of 12 and 14 guage wires to start.
     
  7. clausland

    clausland Road Train Member

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    North Woods
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    I trust you have the wiring schematic for that 359. Not sure about a '78, but my '86 362 has all its wires numbered and on the schematic. Where it becomes problematic is I often cannot make out the numbers or the color coding due to the age and grime on the wire, along with the age of my failing eyes. As far as good wire goes, have you checked out Southwire?
     
  8. Hogleg

    Hogleg Medium Load Member

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    Salem, Illinois
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    yes, I have a 1978 service manual with fold out schematics. Ebay is great.
     
  9. OldSchoolCool

    OldSchoolCool Bobtail Member

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    Dec 18, 2015
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    I'd call Henry L. Velasquez (213-276-0157) in Cali. They have a lot of used 359 parts when they can't save it. and/ or dansshopinc.com (866-367-2120) They remanufacture a lot of parts for your Pete..
     
  10. Hogleg

    Hogleg Medium Load Member

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    Nov 20, 2016
    Salem, Illinois
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    I found Henry's facebook group. Good stuff. Dan's also.

    We are almost finished ripping out all of the old wiring on the truck. What a mess. Almost everything in the original harness was bypassed, sometimes 2 or 3 times. Looking forward to a nice clean wired truck. Helps to have a good schematic and the knowledge on how to properly wire electrical circuits.
     
    clausland and AModelCat Thank this.
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