How to install the AAW Wiring Harness in my 1966 Mustang

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In this video I install the popular American Autowire Wiring Harness in my 1966 Fastback. I also purchased the AAW wire crimpers and I'm glad I did, it made the wiring job much easier.
American Autowire Wire Harness - Part number 510125 - Amazon Link: amzn.to/3JanSx6
American Autowire Crimpers - Part number 510587 - Amazon Link: amzn.to/3QfHkfR
Nylon Braided Wire Loom (various diameters) - Amazon Link: amzn.to/445b6tr
3/4" wide cloth tape (better than electrical tape) - Amazon Link: amzn.to/4aJvVwt
The car is a 1966 Mustang Fastback with a 347 Stroker and T5 transmission.
Shot with GoPro Hero 9 with the Media Mod, edited on Davinci Resolve 17.
Gear I use:
GoPro Hero 9 Black - amzn.to/3ZCTpP7
Media Mod for GoPro Hero 9 - amzn.to/3CPKOi2
Rode Wireless Go II mic kit - amzn.to/3iJrj4c
GoPro Hero 8 Black - amzn.to/3QLpj7V
Media Mod for GoPro Hero 8 - amzn.to/3ZCAeoA
GoPro Hero 5 Black - amzn.to/3XuKMUQ
GoPro Karma Gimbal for Hero 5 - amzn.to/3GIWa8P
Want to help support this channel, you can "buy me a coffee", check it out! www.buymeacoff...
Credit for the music in the video:
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Epidemic Sound
Try it today! www.epidemicso...
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#krusebuilt
#kruseview
#Mustang
#1966
#fastback

[@mrvango3648]

Thanks for the video, you were right to go with the American Autowire kit, I used a Painless kit on a Dodge car that I had a few years ago and not nearly as good. Like a person commented on earlier, your next purchase should be fender covers!!! Watch out what you put on your fenders and don't lean up against the car with your jeans on..., that is some nice paint.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, the AAW kit was fantastic. I don't care about the paint as much as others do. :)

[@davevan8864]

I installed a firewall forward harness during my 2019 resto of my 66 2+2. I made it look good but like you.....not wild in hiding wires. thx

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Sometimes the juice is not worth the squeeze. :)

[@bjsteg79]

Picked up the same for our 67 for the exact same reason. Too many hands have been in this car over the past (nearly) 60 years. Single wire alternator, no more voltage regulator, easier to run 12v to a pertronix, MSD, or HEI coil, extra relays, room to add more restomod goodies down the road. It's an upgrade all around.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, this kit is tough to beat. Good luck with your project!

[@nikonhckr]

I used the AAW 1970 update kit wiring harness in mine. Best upgrade you can do. Buying the crimping tools made for their terminals makes things a lot easier/faster.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Agreed. :)

[@havasumark]

I've used American Autowire for my two cars, great kits!!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Great kit, I'd do another one if I had to. :)

[@jmailbell]

I went with the Painless for my 66 Bronco build which is waiting for the body shop. Now I kinda have buyer’s remorse after talking to others that have installed both Painless and AAW. They say the AAW is more complete and has much better instruction and diagrams. You’ve done a great job on routing your harness, it’s almost invisible!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks! Your next project can use an AAW kit. :)

[@mellis181]

This is exactly what I’m doing now. Actually I’ve been doing it for a while. 😊 Look forward to see how you tackle it.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@vaughnstevens8396]

Thanks I was going to go with the pain less but now i have changed my mind. My next project after the headliner.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I was very happy how it turned out, those instructions are nearly the best part of kit. :)

[@bryanpiereson8083]

Doing the harness after paint work is great. Both times I've had cars bare metal repainted they've come back with an assortment of electrical gremlins

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, it seemed like the best time to take this opportunity. :)

[@johnnix4370]

I’ll go with this kit when I re-wire my f100. Looks pretty simple.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I think the higher cost is worth it, especially for their included wiring instructions. :)

[@mwalt7]

Awesome Andy!! Another huge milestone checked off to get it closer to enjoying it again.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

😁

[@mitchmadden1938]

Nice work! That different style loom is the way to go! Glad you went with A.A! To me the harness in the mustang was easier compared to the harness I did in my 75 F250!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks! 😊

[@johnkopp]

Great video! And great timing! My son and I are getting ready to do his 65 coupe. Already have the kit. Now thinking about the crimpers. Thank you!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Good luck, you’ve got this!! 😁

[@rcadd1ct]

I did AAW on my 72. Definitely worth it. For the extra cost they give you a lot extra that others don’t. You pretty much need the double wire crimp tool. I got both, but there were better single wire crimpers.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I could have gotten by without the larger of the two crimpers, but here we are. :)

[@FaustKnight]

In Houston we have summer projects, don't wanna be in a hot car in 106 degree heat with 90% humidity haha. Problem is the garage is even hotter.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

We get those same temps and same garage problems where I'm at, but coupled with frigid, bone chilling temps in the winter. So really there's only about 4-5 months of manageable weather, gotta get it all done in that small window. :)

[@FaustKnight]

@@AndyKruseChannel I put my new 320hp 302 in today, it was only in the 80s but it felt like 100 with all the humidity. Gunna be a rough year.

[@Seanmonty88]

Thank you for posting this. I am about to start my install with this kit tomorrow

[@AndyKruseChannel]

You've got this! :)

[@GolfGuy54601]

Just used the same kit on my 65 about 6 months ago? My back still hurts! 😂

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Yeah, but the kit went it great and everything works, right?! :)

[@GolfGuy54601]

@@AndyKruseChannel yes, it everything works great, it’s expandable, and it’s great piece-of-mind knowing its new wire. FYI - I installed a Vintage Air HVAC system in my car when I rewired it. Really nice system. I would definitely recommend it.

[@SlowInFastOut1776]

Looking good! The real test will be when you put power to it to make sure nothing got crossed…ask me how I know 😂

[@AndyKruseChannel]

How do you know? :)

[@tonykluytmans5336]

Thanks for this video Andy, interesting and enjoyable

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@414horns]

Really helpful. You are the man Andy!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I appreciate that!

[@MinnesotaDavid]

I used the painless (10123) on my 67. The first thing I did was throw away the vinyl terminal kit that came with it and used heat shrink terminals instead. The worst thing that can happen is a terminal coming off of a wire and starting a fire. Take your time installing the kit and use a good braided wire loom for running your wires.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Good advice.

[@bryanpiereson8083]

You might want to save your old harness. I'm putting in Dakota gauges. I think I can salvage color coded wiring to make connections with the Dakota module which would otherwise get confusing if trying this with one color from a spool. Plus, some of the connectors are unique. The ign switch connector, in particular. With my new harness, plugging it in was fussy. It works, but I wonder if one of the spades went in above or below its mate.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@franswijnands4022]

Andy ik zeg het nog maar een keer je kleur keuze gewoon geweldig

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thank you, I appreciate that! :)

[@MrJoea11]

Andy I have this same AAW kit as well and wanted to pay someone to install, now from this video I might want to take on this task. I’d be interested in your AAW crimpers to buy or rent. I also would like to see your electrical fan/separate circuit installation video. Would be very helpful. Great video.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I'm not wild about renting out my tools, and for now I plan to keep them. I have a few videos on the wiring and install of an electric fan, it's more or less the same. Using a temp switch in the thermostat housing to be the "ground" when a specific temp is reached, which completes the circuit in my relay, and powers the fan(s). In my most recent wiring of the fans, I had a single large fuse in front of the two fans, but I rewired it so each fan has their own fuse, nothing fancy. :)

[@MrJoea11]

@@AndyKruseChannel OK thank you. Let me know if you change your mind and decide to sell them. 😊

[@SmackeysGarage]

Nice. Must have been a long video to edit being 40 minutes! The best time to do wiring is when the engine and interior are out. Definitely making great progress on it!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I trimmed a lot, despite not wanting it to be as long as it is. :)

[@mellis181]

Did you video the process of drilling the holes in the wiper motor bracket and mounting the relay block?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

No, partially because it's hard to get a camera in there and drill the holes. It was easier than drilling the holes for the main fuse panel. :)

[@GeeBoogie78]

Looking good brother👍🏾

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks!

[@wolfthornhawkridge5705]

You’ll be happy with this kit! Nice job, where did you source the headlight connectors? Cant say I’ve seen them with the wire coming out the side.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

That was on the car already, I'm I saved them from the old wiring harness, the fit is so much better. :)

[@joebob344]

Does this kit come with all the harnesses you need? The Metal Alloy Harness is just the main one but have to buy all the other smaller harnesses and that is what confuses me. Which ones I need. I also have a seat belt warning light on my dash. Does this kit supply those wires or need to buy seperate? Same as console wiring.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

This harness had all I needed and more. I don't know if it had anything for the seat belt warning, but I wasn't looking for that when I was putting this together. I recall there were several harness components that I did not need or use. I did choose to reuse some of the lighting wiring ends off my original harness because they fit a little better. :)

[@UnapologeticAmerican1776]

Can i make a suggestion? You said you have new carpet. Before you put your new carpet in, go to Lowes, and pick up 3 rolls of Frost King furnace duct insulation. You can put it down on the floor for a sounds deadener, and it will deflect heat from the exhause. You can buy Dynomat, but Frost King does the exact same thi g, at a fraction of the cost. Ive used it for years on my builds. Just a suggestion. You can thank me later.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Too late. :)

[@UnapologeticAmerican1776]

@@AndyKruseChannel figures. Well, remember that when you get ready to do the truck. It makes a HUGE difference in keeping the road sound out for sure. And the heat will be lower so you don't feel like your in a microwave in the summer.

[@andrewdipietro4538]

Awesome video. I’m about to start this process on my 65. Are you willing to sell or loan your crimp tools? Thanks.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Cool, good luck with the wiring project, you've got this! No, I do not plan to sell or loan my tools.

[@Kasper623]

Outside of the wiring planning/hiding, solely just removing the old wire and installing the new, how long did it take you? Thanks Andy

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Oof, I wasn't tracking that, and I chipped away at it in the evening after work and on the weekend (started one weekend, finished the whole wiring project by the next weekend). I'd say a solid 2 - 3 hours just to remove the wiring, but that's including things that have to either be moved or removed to get to the wiring. That doesn't sound like much but I spent some of that time trying to figure out if I wanted to re-use something or how I could do it better once the re-wire started, so I could have done it faster. Pulling out the wiring is the easy part. The instructions are very well put together, and the various harnesses are individually wrapped. These cars are very simple, so the wiring is doable by most DIYers. I'd think if you were prepared and dedicated, you could absolutely knock this out in a solid weekend. Good luck, you've got this! :)

[@grfilmz8363]

Check out cobra automotive Andy, you should get the black head light covers for your headlight it would look cool. Or maybe the yellow ones and the deep wheel lug nuts they sell.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Don't tempt me! :)

[@jimfowler9143]

Andy thx for the video! REALLY good..I'm doing the AAW kit in my car as well..... my challenge is my car is a shell...and I'm putting it together without an original or even good pics....like doing a puzzle without the picture on the box. .. Curious how your loom running is going..didn't see that in the vid. ..were the wires all long enough when you ran them in the fenders or did you have to modify?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I had more than enough loom, by like triple. I didn't even use the large diameter stuff. The wire length is perfect for all of the circuits, you do not need to worry about making things fit because a wire was too short, or something like that, you'll have plenty. The AAW instruction book does a great job outlining where everything goes, even for the more novice hobby people. :)

[@jimfowler9143]

@@AndyKruseChannel cool thx!...great to hear. For a Canadian the AAW kit is over a grand and was hoping they weren't skimping on length (extended wires are problematic when shooting an issue a few years later)

[@ChipperskisTahoeChipper]

Thanks for the video. The Amazon link you have for this harness is about $200 cheaper than the list price at the AAW website? Do you know why? I want this harness and would love a $200 discount, but not if there is a chance something could be defective. What do you think?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

AAW prefers to sell their products through vendors. The price on the AAW site is the suggested retail price. Vendors normally sell it at the suggested price, but they also offer sales and discounts from time to time. $200 is better than what I paid for it, grab it!! The important thing is making sure it's new (which it is) and the correct part number for the car you have. The 510125 is the correct part number for the 1964-1966 Mustang. :)

[@musicman_hd607]

bros in my head.just started this the other day

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Hopefully there's a nugget of helpful info in this video for you. :)

[@5798Mike]

Good wrk 👍

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Thanks! 🙂

[@grfilmz8363]

Could I buy that carpet from you Andy?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. :)

[@dougknight1720]

I think I’ll need to do this to my 66 coupe project. Wiring is suspect

[@AndyKruseChannel]

It's easier than I thought it would be. :)

[@dougknight1720]

@@AndyKruseChannel I have a lot to do on the project but I think wiring needs to be a priority. You forget it’s nearly 60 years old…I hate electrics so it’s reassuring to know it was quite straightforward. Thanks Andy

[@eyesears113]

Hey, Andy. Do you need to be an expert in electronics for this? Do you have electrical background? Can a regular non-experienced electrical person install this? Much appreciated!

[@eyesears113]

Oh, and anything else instead of those super expensive crimpers on your link? $204??? Whaaat? For crimpers? Wouldn’t a simple $20 crimper do?

[@AndyKruseChannel]

I'm not an expert, nor do I have any schooling in electronic circuits, but I am also a lot older than I look, so I've been on this planet for a long time. The instructions from AAW are the best out there. If you follow them, your car will work when you turn the key for the first time (mine did). For your question about the crimpers, the issue is some of the sizes of the connectors are not standard, so your normal auto parts store crimpers will not work on all. If you are savvy, you can make regular crimpers and probably some needle nose pliers work, or maybe using some other tools might do it too. But it sure was easy with the right crimpers. Please don't let the re-wire of these cars overwhelm you, it's easier than it looks. I've never wired a car before, but I have done some wiring in the past. :)

[@eyesears113]

​@@AndyKruseChannel Thank you so much, Andy. I will take the plunge and get the expensive set of crimpers then. I’m waiting for Mike Maier’s panhard rods to finally be available (I placed an order three months ago). He said the production run is almost complete. When I get that installed, I’ll order the AAW Wiring kit and all the goodies you listed on Amazon. Again, much appreciated. Your channel rules!

[@PapaVrooom]

Get some high density foam to lay on... especially over the rocker.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Nah, scratches add character. :)

[@Ricardo_Wade]

Can i rent the crimpers from you 😂 i need to run my 67 kit

[@AndyKruseChannel]

No problem, it'll be $200 to rent them. :)

[@SlipperyCouch1]

Looks like the manual is a lot nicer than my painless mustang harness.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Life changing. :)

[@UnapologeticAmerican1776]

First off.....i see you kicked the wife out of the garage to make room for the real vehicles. Lol. Just for conversation sake......why did you pick the fastback over the coupe? Not necessarily the coupe you had, but just a coupe in general. I have both 67 fastback and a few coupes. I personally prefer the coupe over the fastback. But won't ever get rid of the fastback. Lol. Just curious.

[@AndyKruseChannel]

The 65-66 Fastback is one of my favorite cars.

[@havasumark]

Get that box off your new paint job!!!

[@AndyKruseChannel]

Nah, you and I have different expectations of the paint on my car. :)