DIY Network

1965 Mustang Restoration: Wiring Harness Upgrade Steve Magnante upgrades the wiring harness the 1965 Mustang fastback. From "Classic Car Restoration" episode DCR-504

Projects Overview

In this installment of Classic Car Restoration, Steve Magnante addresses several issues on the 1965 Mustang. First, he upgrades the car's wiring harness, installing a modern high-performance replacement. Next, he converts the rear drum brakes to disc brakes to complete the 4-wheel disc brake system. Finally he improves the car's handling with chassis upgrades including sub-frame connectors, a rear sway bar, traction bars and engine compartment bracing.

Wiring diagrams

These wiring-upgrade instructions are specific to this vintage Mustang.

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Tools used for the wiring harness upgrade

Materials for all projects seen in this episode of Classic Car Restoration:

factory wiring diagrams
wiring harness kit
wiring gauge harness
restoration guide
crimp connectors
test light
electrical tape
wire cutters
wire strippers
crimping tools
multi meter (check continuity of circuits)
power source
rear sway bar
sub frame connectors
traction bars
disc brakes

	The new wiring assembly
	Crimp connectors for the wiring upgrade

Modern Wiring Harness

Steve demonstrates the dangers of the Mustang's old wiring system and the features of a modern high-performance wiring harness. He also demonstrates the tools for wiring work and the proper way to make wiring connections. Our car gets upgraded with a complete new wiring harness.

The basic steps in this procedure, as seen in this episode of DIY's Classic Car Restoration, are summarized below.

Tools and materials used in the wiring-harness upgrade:

factory wiring diagrams
wiring harness kit
wiring gauge harness
restoration guide
crimp connectors
test light
electrical tape
wire cutters
wire strippers
crimping tools
multi meter (check continuity of circuits)
power source

Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Also wear eye protection any time you are working underneath a vehicle.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

Steve demonstrates the technique for wire stripping.

Steps:

• Stripping wires can be more difficult with plier type wire stripper unless you are experienced with using them. The objective in stripping a wire is to avoid removing any of the copper wire, but only take the outer insulation. With the plier type tool, it is easier to also strip the copper wire when stripping just the outer insulation. The trigger type is more convenient and fool-proof.

• The crimps themselves are pretty straightforward, after stripping the insulation of the wire, put one of the open ends of the crimp onto the exposed copper wire, then use your crimping tool which are usually color coded. Make sure the wire is seated all the way in, and then pinch the crimp on the wire with the tool.

• Tug a little on the end to make sure you have connected it securely.

• Another thing you want to do with electrical connections is apply a weather-tight heat shrink tube over the connection.

• Then use a heat gun to shrink the tubing around the wire.

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Classic Car Restoration 500 series: 1965 Mustang

Mustang Club of America
www.mustang.org

Mustang Central
vintage Mustang parts
www.mustangcentral.com

Motorbooks Publishing
www.motorbooks.com

Class-Tech-Cars
www.class-tech-cars.com

Holley Performance Products
www.holley.com

Flowmaster Exhaust Products
www.flowmastermufflers.com

Genuine Hot Rod Hardware
www.genuinehotrod.com

Revelation Racing Supply
www.rrs-online.com

National Parts Depot
www.npdlink.com

Classic Auto Air
www.classicautoair.com

Pertronix Performance Products
www.pertronix.com

Stainless Steel Brake Corp.
www.ssbrakes.com

Painless Performance Products
www.painlessperformance.com

Loctite Products
www.henkel.com

Paintucation
www.paintucation.com

Dupli-Color Paints
www.duplicolor.com

Norton Abrasives
www.nortonabrasives.com

Dremel Tools
www.dremel.com

Classic High Performance Audio
Product: audio equipment

Direct Source
www.the-direct-source.com
Product: stereo electronic equipment

Dakota Digital Instruments
www.dakotadigital.com
Product: digital dashboard

Mustang Project
www.mustangproject.com
Product: LED sequential taillight system

GUESTS :

Keller Wallace
Keller Wallace Street Rods
Volunteer Street Rod Association
Knoxville, TN