Wiring Woes, the Spagetti Syndrome.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Hey Guys, plenty more to come on this car so keep watching !! If you have any questions just ask in the comments.

[@BareRoseGarage]

Hello there Kiwi, another great video man! I'm a little guy and always have been, so early on I learned to wire. So this kind of became my thing (my dad is a big guy). I've done a lot of "re-wires" now and I use only 1 Universal Harness, all the time. It's not the most expensive one, but it's the one I know completely by heart. If the customer say "the little gray wire heading to the back" I know what wire that is because it's the only harness I use. It's a GM system, but I've converted it so many times to all the makes, years and models that I can do it all on the quick.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Experience and knowing your product is a great thing bud! Keep knocking them out😁😎

[@deankay4434]

KiWi, After finding you channel this AM, from watching a UTG video, I said, I have to check this out. I don't know why people are working on these beautiful classic cars, doing wiring, and never watch a video on voltage, amps, voltage drop, how to use a digital multi meter (DMM) or buy a reasonable amp clamp since they have come down in price but with direct digital readout! God bless you for doing it the right way as I have been wiring tractors, go-carts since the late 60's. We both know paper service manuals who have "8 Pages that Fold out" showing headlamps on the left (Page 1) and tail lights on the last page (Page 8) with everything in the middle. If they can't solder or use a heat gun for shrink tubing, they shouldn't touch a wire. Folks don't realize but squirrels are responsible for 20% of structural fires as their teeth grow they chew on wiring but when I hear on a radio that a facility with 50 classic restored cars burn't to the ground in North Carolina, a peace of my soul chips off as I think of bad wiring. Then you take someone who has common sense who doesn't have 50 battery tenders plugged into one cord, and each car has the battery still connected, that is time for a slap-down! I worked at dealers but independent shops as well, but after no formal training other that an apprentice at a two man shop, I have spent good money on Kent-Moore crimpers, 6 amp clamps, terminal remover kits, jumpers, and extra long ground as you could once buy silicone jacket meter wire and solder clips for direct battery to tail lamp testing. My god, dielectric grease is sold for $4-5 dollars next to epoxy and use "Star" washers for grounds. Most do not realize their are 4 types of insulation and charts for length, amps and wire size are free online. It just gets my juices going and honestly, can't stop. It is easy to do engines only, brakes & alignments only, but do you want you barber to wire your car? I didn't think so! DK, ASE master tech since 78. Keep up the good work and show how circuits work in series. I use audio "ANL" fuses and holders (If good) but and extra layer of protection that new vehicles come with! After all, fuses sense heat, not amps and protect wire harnesses not the components. Subscribed!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Wow thanks for comment. Can't disagree with anything your saying. It would be interesting to wire a car with you. Thanks for subbing and watching

[@deankay4434]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Just finish a 1981 El Camino with all new white paint. I built the 450HP 383 stoker, all for my youngest who turn 34 a few months back. Hard to say who will grow up first! And, if given the chance, I would enjoy working together.

[@kimosabbe50]

This would've made for an excellent "Excedrine Headache" commercial back in the day. 😬

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

😂🤣

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

And don't forget the dones back ache pills I used to have! You're crawling around putting the wires and definitely make it back hurt. I don't like spaghetti without my meat sauce on it and meatballs! I agree with the need of excedrine.

[@eddiehuff7366]

Lord have mercy!!! Glad there are folks with the knowledge and patience to deal with wiring.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I quite enjoy it but I need to left alone when doing it. You really need to focus!

[@turner0224]

Kiwi, your videos are so informative and entertaining…..I missed an opportunity this weekend, I was in Nashville for a wedding and really wanted to come by but most don’t like uninvited guests so I thought better of it. Living in Miami don’t get there often but next time I’ll hit you up in advance. Keep up the hard work and thank you.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Your most welcome. Visitors are always welcome at the shop man.

[@randysoong6129]

Awesome!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man!

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-2025]

Dr kiwi. One must have patience with a child. But to have patience with a wiring harness? That requires a PhD. Phinally Honed Determination! Took me about two minutes to come up with that. Replacing the f on finally and using honed instead of tuned. D for determination I think that fits for itself. Your mustang then? I don't know what question you call that but that's what the 65 that I used to own would have looked like when it was new. Okay we know Ford would not have painted as nicely as y'all have. That car even had solid rear quarters of course back in about 95. It was that color just all faded out. Look forward to all the episodes especially the ones on the mustang. By the way the spaghetti I like didn't come with copper and rubber plastic coatings. Haha

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks for watching and the comments mate. Always entertaining!

[@SpeedyG289]

Eek! Wiring has always been my kryptonite.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I used to be like that but I've come to quite enjoy it. I need to be left alone to do it though, getting interrupted really throws me off. Thanks for watching

[@jbstepchild]

I'm here from Tony's garage what a great time love your stuffs ❤️

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Welcome aboard!😎

[@jbstepchild]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 after that rats nest of wiring I had to sub

[@67L-88]

I had a 66 Corvette it had electric gremlins. I spend a day under the dash removing all sorts of added wires. Seems that over the decades every owner added a new radio, car alarm, or goodness knows what. I filled a milk crate with extra wires. I went back to the original harness and made good splice at the repairs, it worked perfectly.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Well done! I've seen them like that, pretty wild!

[@JeffDeWitt]

Years ago the cutout relay in the voltage regulator of my first car, a 1960 Studebaker Hawk, stuck shut. The current went from the battery back through the generator, burning out the generator and the main power lead in the wiring harness, which connected to the ammeter and ignition switch. I had to replace the engine wiring harness to fix it, which included most of the wiring under the dash. I was able to get an NOS harness, laid it on the car pretty much following the path of the old one, and just starting unplugging the old one and plugging in the new one. Once completed everything worked fine, the only thing I got wrong was the turn signal repeaters were reversed. Try that in a modern car!

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

Awesome video mate

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man

[@b.s.adventures9421]

When I’m buying an old car I stay away from cars with hacked up wiring. Hacked up mods in general. A few little things that can be fixed, and put back to stock is fine, but lots of past hacking is trouble. Buying a stock vehicle from an old guy is usually a good bet.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Good advice, thanks for watching!

[@shedred1967]

Old harness with untold amperage pushed through its meager sized individual wires. I'll spend the big coin... Happy Tuesday!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Cheers mate!

[@1Darkvictory]

Hello, the 3 main things with working on wiring are patience, patience and good grounds. Keep up the good work and be well.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Amen to that😁

[@toddmccarter45]

Hi, I'm here for the custom kitchen videos, when will they be starting?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Real soon, just keep watching!😁😂

[@toddmccarter45]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 ok,but im gonna be upset if i don't see anything before april 2nd

[@jonnyc4898]

My favorite Malibu,looking forward to your video series . Mine is a convertible with the 250 straight 6. I've owned for 35 years ,was my daily 18 years.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Nice!!!

[@jonnyc4898]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Thanks,it became a full time job babysitting it in parking lots. I like all makes,was super excited about the all new 05 GT Mustang which I ran down and ordered new,now it's turning 18 ! Time goes by too quickly. You have a great channel.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

@@jonnyc4898 Thanks man! Glad your enjoying the vids.

[@jeffschmidt8873]

Just so happens that im in the middle of putting an aftermarket wiring harnes in my project. The one i got is very well marked and the instructions are wonderful! Ive gotten to the point of addind on a relay block to power the electric fan and compressors. I have probably spent more time researching and talking to friends than actually wiring! It is coming along. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone but it can be dun! On a side note it should run before the week is out! Big Day!! Woo Hoo!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Well done,it's challenge for sure! So cruising this weekend🤞

[@brokentoolgarage]

Good stuff! The harness I just took out of my 73 D200 (old farm truck) is in about the same condition plus crumbling connectors!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Time for a new one!

[@brokentoolgarage]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Oh, yeah. I got an 88 D150 that has a good harness that I will put in it maybe this winter or next spring. Until then, I am building one to run the engine so I can get it broke in and mobile.

[@robbieautrey3158]

Thanks for the comparisons on the wiring harness mate. Looks like that last one is the way to go.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I think so! Thanks for watching!

[@Grumpy-sy7wr]

I've got it a bit easier than you Kiwi, in that I only play with one make, and 3 or 4 models of that make. What I do for wiring, in every case, is gather up as many old looms as I can lay my hands on, the more chopped and mutilated, the better (I get them cheaper). All I use from them, are the factory insulator plugs that aren't reproduced. I keep rolls of all colour and size wire as used by the factory, and reproduce the stock loom with new wire and crimp terminals. The builder can plug the whole thing together in a couple of hours. Keep up the good stuff.

[@glennnickerson8438]

Thanks for the video Kiwi, something tells me you're going to have a few more gray hairs when you finish this one! But then again you're in the business of fixing someone else's attempts! 😆

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Grey is pretty much all I have these days😬. Thanks for watching!

[@glennnickerson8438]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 You do some great work even with UT crashing the party! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

@@glennnickerson8438 thanks man and thanks for watching!

[@torquemonstergarage7420]

Hi Kiwi, I own the same exact car and would love to see a video on how you tackle the headliner. You can see a short clip of the project car I bought 5 years ago and just haven't gotten to yet.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

That video is coming. Watch this space!

[@deanstevenson6527]

🥝✔️ Fox Mustangs and post 68 Aussie Falcons for me. I've seen OEM wiring be moments away from torching down a car. Running cables and having Auto electrical friends is good if you give them scope.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Hard to argue with that.... thanks for watching mate!

[@rheidtech]

Thanks for the vid Kiwi. Id pull it right out and stretch it out on a table and start over. Lol. Make a map and follow it lol. 🍺🤙

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I keep all my old wiring harness' they make great 3D wiring diagrams

[@VintageCarHistory]

First thought- What the bloody hell is that rat's nest?!?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

It's the beginning of something pretty 😁😎. That's if Kev doesn't use it for a nest😂

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

There's nothing wrong with wanting and trying to work on your own vehicle. Especially when it's a cool older car like this. Sometimes you might find that you are actually good at it. But you definitely need to research your vehicle and the task you want to do. There are online forums for almost every vehicle ever made. That's always my first step. And more importantly, know your limitations. If you feel like you're getting in over your head. Stop, try more research. Watch videos on it. And if you still aren't having luck. Stop before you go too far. It could end up costing you double.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I completely agree. Thanks for watching man!

[@NMTRUCKER]

I can relate to this wiring video. I have somewhere a short circuit in my dome light wiring (‘69 Chevelle) which connects through the door jamb switches that I have not found yet. I am thinking of pulling the dash/instrument cluster cover to see what’s hiding behind it. I may also pull out the drivers seat to allow more access without performing gymnastics that don’t agree with my 69 year old body. Wish me luck.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Pop the steering wheel off too, helps a lot! Thanks for watching!

[@alanwhite3280]

The gymnastics will keep you young. Just replaced the under dash wiring in my Galaxie w/ "better" original wiring. Removing the steering wheel IS a big help.

[@NMTRUCKER]

@@alanwhite3280 Guess I’ll have to invest in a steering wheel puller.

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

Most of my early wiring attempts resulted in smoke, followed by uncontrolled sobbing. I don't have the patience.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

LOL. I feel like that sometimes man! Thanks for watching

[@tarstarkusz]

5:45 This probably was not caused by heat because of a higher wattage bulb. The wire is gauged to the FUSE not to the device. Simply increasing the draw of the light, but still within spec of the fuse will not cause the wire to heat up. Something else happened. The fuse is not to save your equipment, it is to prevent a fire. There is absolutely no reason to have a fuse if you have a 20 amp fuse and wire that can only carry 10 amps. You car can burn to the ground without blowing that fuse.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

There's a lot of variables in 50 year wiring. Usually the human kind....😉

[@Grumpy-sy7wr]

Australian Valiant wiring looms are a good example to look at. Find one with a good pink wire to the headlight switch, and you've found a unicorn. They carry enough load, for enough time, they get hot, and stay hot enough to eventually melt the insulation. And that wire runs from a 10A fuse. It's also bundled into the main dash loom, .with close to every other wire the car runs. Dunno if Kiwi had ever found any like that in his homeland, same car, built by Todd's.

[@mpetersen6]

Old wiring in cars (and houses!) sucks. Brittle insulation. Possible dodgy "repairs". Light gauge wiring. No extra circuits. Probably the biggest single wiring modification in cars is upgrading the radio/sound system and speakers. Second is likely extra lights. Fog lights, trailer lights etc. Maybe it's just me but if I were to be putting new wiring in a car were it did not have to be stock as in a restoration. I'd seriously consider just how to put wiring runs made of a plastic conduit material with junction boxes just to prevent wiring chafing on holes punched in the interior bracing. The wiring running up to the dome light is a good example. Believe me none of those perforations in the bracing were deburred after being stamped out. Plus the more wear on the punches and dies the more ragged the holes will be. Would be doing this be extra work. Of course. But if I were doing it on a project car it's my time. PS I've got funny ideas on house wiring. Say you have a two story house with a basement. One main breaker box in the basement with all the basement circuits. Plus two or three large circuits for the upstairs and downstairs plus the garage. On the first and second floor you have breaker boxes for all the circuits on that floor. I told a spark chaser I worked with that and he said thats a lot of extra work. I told him why would it matter if you're getting paid.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

57 year old wiring can be problematic no doubt

[@TOLDyouSOagain]

For 900 bucks id be making my own harness but i realize thats not cost efficient for a shop and not everyone can do it. The relay wiring is simple enough as long as you understand the component your wiring from

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah it's a time vs money exercise. Thanks for watching!

[@ConceptXX]

I imagine a lot of components are cheaper and easier to come by in the US. In my limited experience, here in Australia the price of good quality wiring, terminals and connectors can be astronomical. Add in decent quality crimping tools, solder, irons etc and you'll find yourself getting pretty close to the cost of a pre-made harness

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻🇦🇺

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Cheers mate!

[@BPattB]

When I win the lottery I'm buying a KSV

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man!

[@Smurphenstein]

Considering the prices auto electricians charge per hour, $900 seems cheap for a classic. A bit more reliability and upgrades to boot. Throw in the wiring diagram and instruction manual and I know which way I would be heading. My Dad was a navy electrician in the British and NZ navies and taught me a bit so it wouldn't be a struggle. Just don't get me to do brakes, I can't stand brakes. Mind you, my first cars were British so you probably get where I am coming from.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

It's really is a good option!

[@Smurphenstein]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 I reckon. Imagine spending $200k on renovating a house and keeping the original wiring and power points. You just wouldn't.

[@jimstevens9332]

Your videos are about projects that are not ordinary situations. I also do projects that are not ordinary situations for customers. My question is...are you able to give a labor price beforehand?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I only give estimates. There are too many variables with these old girls. I do let the customer know if we run into any unexpected issues during the job. Ya don't want spring a bigger number on them when they're picking their car up.

[@jimstevens9332]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 Thanks for the reply. Hours add up so fast I don't even give final estimates. They know the hourly rate, then I keep them up to date with pics and text. I agree, I never want to shock anybody when the project is done. Great videos, keep up the good work.

[@oldtimerf7602]

Seeing that rat's nest of wires gave me the screaming piss shivers.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Sorry for the trauma I was just trying to entertain 😂🤣. Thanks for watching!

[@TheSamplebridge]

what's your opinion on kwik wire products. years ago i bought either a 14 circuit or 20 circuit kwik wire kit for my 73 mustang i never finished. it was like 400$ . its been laying around for 5 plus years still in the plastic in the box incase i ever get another mustang.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I haven't used it so not much I can say I'm afraid.

[@matthewhummel6023]

Hide the wiring the engine bay at the fender wells.

[@JoesMoparMess]

What are some brands that you recommend for wiring harnesses?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

American Auto wire is my go to but Painless and Ron Francis make a great product too! 😁

[@daveelliott8116]

How do you feel about Kwik wire?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Haven't tried it. But I'm open to new products

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

I have a 72 chevelle that I am going to be putting in a 4l80e and a 72 402 with fuel injection and power windows eventually what harness would you say is the best one for the chevelle

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

American Auto Wire !! Ideal for that set up.

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 perfect ty brother,love your channel and thank you for your time to respond and give out your knowledge. It has been helping the wife and I on our new youtube channel and our projects

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

What were they smoking 🙀

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

And where can I get some😂🤣

[@meek01__53]

Hi Kiwi, great video! I have a 67 mustang convertible with a American Auto wire harness professionally installed and am upgrading my stock headlights to H11 ,bought a complete kit that includes separate fuse blocks for each side. Would you advise to use this or wire straight into the AAW harness, looking for increased visibility compared to stock ps the cool thing is the front the headlights are glass but the bulbs are removable from the back. Thanks for any advice always trying to do right by my girl.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

"Fuse Blocks" do you mean relays!

[@meek01__53]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 yes sir, sometimes get the terminology mixed up. What is your suggestion?

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

@@meek01__53 use the relays for sure. You shouldn't really need to add anything as the AAW harness has relays under the dash for the head lights. Just use the wiring that's marked high and low beam and your hood to go

[@meek01__53]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 so the AAW harness is designed to work with the newer modern bulbs and has built in relays that should work properly. I appreciate the clarification, trying not to do any extra splicing into harness for maximum efficiency .

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

@@meek01__53 yup!

[@itseithergonnaworkoritaint7852]

YUCK, wiring, barf! 🤢🤮🤮That's how I feel when I have to mess with wiring, don't mind watching someone else working on it though. 😎 Carry on.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Cheers mate!

[@allankwiatkowski9086]

kiwi that harness is junk

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yup!