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Ez wire vs American auto wire

6

68angrypony

Member
I am not going to go with a stock harness so please don't through that out. I don't want to put an old harness back. I am trying to get input on if it is worth it to go with an EZ wire harness or an American auto wire set up. Ez wire looks to be around 150 but would take a bit of work to solider plugs on/heat wrap etc. But would save about 400 compared to the American Auto Wire. But I'm not sure if it would turn out to be that much savings or if I am missing hidden costs with the cheaper harness. Anyone have experience with both? I would appreciate some input.

Thank you,
 
I've got an EZ harness. I traded it for it, so I suppose I'll use it. My only concern is like yours in having to reuse old plugs and such.

Bill
 
I have been all over the map on this one. Originally, I was going to use all new stock harnesses throughout the car. Then I was steadfast on re-using the original under-dash and simply incorporating a new modern fuse block. Now I am doing a full on custom wiring job using a generic EZ kit and all my ancillary new remote stock harnesses. For the end of run connections at things like fuel sender, lights, etc. I will have the wires form the new harnesses. I did not want to use fifty year old plastic pieces anywhere. I welded up ALL the holes in my firewall and will not be using any of the stock multi-pin connectors. Routing my wires differently and out of sight. This requires radically different wire routing and wire lengths so custom was the only way to go.

In my opinion, it all comes down to how your car will be when finished. If you are adding an all new non-stock gauge panel, LED lights, power windows and locks, modern engine pieces like electronic ignition, a one wire alt with built in voltage regulator, upgraded headlight wiring with high amp relays, putting the battery in the trunk...why would you use a stock design harness?
 
i've used all of them out there on builds at one time or another. the EZ can be made to work & do o.k. after getting the bugs worked out. the biggest hurdle will be tech support. the universal type harnesses are made to GM specs, you will run into some problems in the charging system converting to ford IF you will be running a stuock type charging system. unless something has changed, getting the differences sorted out thru EZ will take a few days of calls before you can track down someone there with some knowledge. it will usually be tues/weds since thurs thru mon will be reserved for travel/setup at the various shows. weighing this out, the most "painless" install will be a painless direct fit harness, although very pricy. its pretty much plug & play like an upgraded modern stock harness, next in line at about half the cost is the american autowire. (currently have one of those on the shelf for a future builld) its on par with painless as far as quality, you just have more work to do yourself vs. the plug & play ability of the painless. below that are the $150 universal harnesses like the EZ.
 
I have used both Painless and American Autowire. I would use the American Autowire again in a hot minute. They supply a very complete kit and it is well laid out. The wires are marked for easy identification and the proper lengths since they make a Mustang specific harness. Our car had no wiring it so we started from scratch. Combine that with the EFI install and the Vintage Air setup, it all worked perfectly together.
 
I just completed the AAW on my 68 and it was much easier than I thought it would be. I have another kit now that I will put in my 1968 Volvo project. Great support even with all my rookie questions.
 
AAW comes with extra length wires on the plug end so that you can run them like you want. All you have to do is put on the terminals which they supply. It comes with the correct switches but you will have to use some parts from your original system. Items like the plug for the heater box and I had to save the power window switch and wiring. Pretty easy really.

I am excited to put the highway system in my Volvo project. It is a more generic kit but what I like is the fuse block. It does not have wires coming out of it like the Mustang harness which will make it easier to put in place on the firewall. The wires are held in place with a set screw on the fuse block. I think it will allow even more freedom of how to run the wires. I would do the harness again in a heartbeat. I will say that you should invest in some good crimpers. I purched the ones form AAW and they ran me about $80 each.

I purchaed my kit from Matt's Classic Bowties via an ad they had on Pro-touring.com and it saved me about $50 plus had free shipping. Just sign up over there and send them a message. Perhaps someone on here will do the same thing?
 
I lied. I have a Street Rod wiring harness made by Jack Sweeden. I got it on trade for a set of fiber running boards for a 49-53 Chevy... Looks like fun.

Bill
 
I went with the AAW system. I have only pulled the wires at this point, but the kit looks very complete. I love how the wires are labeled for exactly what they go to. Also came with new switches which I was probably going to get anyway.
 
I ended up picking up an AAW kit off ebay. New .... except the main harness package was previously opened for 550 shipped if I remember. Lowest I found and looks to be a pretty complete kit. Now I need to get it in the car.
 
I've done a Painful and EZ universal kit in classif Fords. I had to reuse the terminals from the factory harnesses. Never figured the charging issues, ended up going 1 wire alternator.
 
I used the E-Z wiring harness and I loved it, yes you will have to reuse some connectors such as the headlights but with new connectors it's good as new. You need to make sure and get a good crimper and I used all heat shrink connectors. I also hate corrugated plastic wire loom so I used flex braid. I got the
turn signals figured out so if you need some help I send you my file.
 
Wiring is the next job on my list. I have the AAW kit to install. no experience wiring a whole care before, but I figure I can figure it out, although I can't promise I won't have a stupid question or 2...
 
I used AAW and even for a color blind electrically challenged goof, I was able to figure it out.


Sent from my stupid phone.
 
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