Wiring harness kits: Which one should a new Tri-Five guy buy? Ron Francis, American Auto Wire, or Painless?

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  • Fifty-Seven 210 Shoebox
    Registered Member
    • Nov 2024
    • 5
    • 5888

    Wiring harness kits: Which one should a new Tri-Five guy buy? Ron Francis, American Auto Wire, or Painless?

    I have a 1957 210 2DR Post with a 2010 Goodwrench 350 and a HEI distributor, 700r4 trans, 10si Alt., vintage air and an electric cooling fan. (I didn't build this car) I don't need a ton or circuits. I just need to replace the original harness that has been let's just say "modified" in some very creative ways over the years. I don't have a ton of experience with this stuff so keeping it simple would be my preference. What do you guys think is my best option? Keeping in mind that I'm not going to race it at Lemans and I'm not going to show it at Concurs D'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
  • busterwivell
    Registered Member
    • Dec 2016
    • 811
    • 3249
    • Sahuarita (Tucson), AZ

    #2
    Well, I build my cars to drive, not go racing. I built my 56 with that in mind. Mine has a 350/700R4, 3:42 rear gear, and it loves to get out and cruise. Thanks to my talented friend, it also got cruise control. power windows, power trunk, power door locks, etc. It has Vintage Air, and an Ididit tilt column. I wired my car by myself (with the exception of the stuff Philip made me add, lol). I've done several wiring jobs with AAW kits. They are, to me, fantastic. They come with good instructions. I read thru the instructions a couple of times to get the basic idea, then follow the instructions step by step, checking each off as I complete it. The first one of their kits I did, I had questions a couple of times. I called their customer service department. They are great, and both times listened to my question, were polite, and basically told me I was jumping ahead of myself. They were right. In the other ones I've been involved with, I've not had to call.
    I would recommend you buy a set of their crimpers, or borrow a set. I got a great deal of satisfaction at the end, when everything worked (and still does, over 36,000 miles later). Try it, you'll be glad you did. The AAW kit is well worth the extra money.
    Oh, if you didn't know, AAW stands for American Auto Wire.
    Good luck,
    Bill

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    • Belair-o
      Registered Member
      • Jun 2013
      • 686
      • 1723
      • Franktown, CO

      #3
      What Bill said (above).

      Comment

      • WagonCrazy
        Registered Member
        • Mar 2012
        • 1903
        • 530
        • Santa Clarita, CA

        #4
        I rewired my 57 9 passenger wagon with an AAW kit. It was my first experience with a total rewire. The kit was complete, great instructions and if you needed to contact them to answer questions, technical services help was available. The kit included extra long lengths of wire, all the correct terminations. Highly recommend them.
        1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
        1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.

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        • Fifty-Seven 210 Shoebox
          Registered Member
          • Nov 2024
          • 5
          • 5888

          #5
          Thanks guys for the info. How many hours would you say it took to complete the rewire with the AAW kit? Is there anything that you would recommend buying that didn't come with the AAW kit like certain gromet or something missing that you had to order additionally? I have been thinking about the AAW classic update kit. Although I like the idea of starting at the device and work toward the fuse block as is done with the Ron Francis set up, plus you only wire what you need i.e. if you don't have cruse control you don't have to remove a wire as with the AAW setup you just don't add that wire.
          Thanks again,

          Comment

          • busterwivell
            Registered Member
            • Dec 2016
            • 811
            • 3249
            • Sahuarita (Tucson), AZ

            #6
            I don't know how long it took me to do any wiring job, but it wasn't a rush project. I've taken my time, just wanting to get it all right the first time. It's not a 2-3 hour job on a Saturday afternoon, I'll guarantee you. The kit seems fairly complete, don't remember if I needed something extra not included in the kit. As far as a Ron Francis kit, I'll just say my first time with one was also my last time.
            Bill

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            • WagonCrazy
              Registered Member
              • Mar 2012
              • 1903
              • 530
              • Santa Clarita, CA

              #7
              if you can keep the distractions at bay, you can do this in 3 or 4 "couple hour" sessions. But you have to keep the distractions away. No spouse, no honeydo, no cell phone buzzing you all day, no kids,etc. And resist the temptation NOT to follow the instructions that come with the AAW kit. They are very complete and if you just follow them, you'll get thru it with minimal drama. And you need a good pair of wire crimpers. Not the cheap kind used for the plastic coated connectors you buy. AAW sells a 2 crimper set that you'll use alot in the rest of your car hobby life. Do a search for AAW part# 910510587
              1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
              1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.

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              • Fifty-Seven 210 Shoebox
                Registered Member
                • Nov 2024
                • 5
                • 5888

                #8
                That helps thanks.

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