Vintage rides from the 1920s through the 1950s are often sidelined with electrical issues mainly due to decades old cloth wiring harness problems that have been patched and cut and spliced together over the years. Flickering lights, hard starting, inaccurate, or inoperable dash gauges and more are problems that can often be solved with an overhaul of the vehicle’s wiring system. Ditching that spaghetti under your dashboard and that ancient Bakelite fuse box that uses glass fuses is the fastest way to make your classic a reliable, and fun, ride you’ll want to take out every weekend instead of dreading those wiring issues every time you twist the key.
A vehicle from this period needing the whole harness replaced there was often little you could do but construct a custom wiring harness with bulk spools of cloth covered automotive wire if you wanted to keep the cloth wire look. This is a labor intensive process that requires a lot of automotive electrical knowledge to build a complete vehicle harness. The cloth look wiring is especially important to many enthusiasts with open engine bays like the famed Ford T-bucket and others. This unique wiring appearance, however, is not as safe as modern insulated automotive wiring you see used in both OEM wiring and aftermarket wiring harnesses. Using our 12 Circuit Universal Hot Rod Wiring Harness as a starting point, Speedway Motors’ 12 circuit cloth covered wiring harness is the best of both worlds, providing modern GXL automotive grade wiring with a classic cloth overwrap.
Just like our original 12-circuit harness, our cloth covered wiring harness begins with our innovative two-piece fuse block design which gives easy service, fuse replacement, and endless mounting solutions. Mount the baseplate and then clip in the fuse block assembly. The clip-in fuse block detaches easily for service and arrives complete with industry standard APM/ATM spec Mini Fuse Assortment to protect each circuit. No more fragile, corroded glass fuses! A common two-terminal style flasher for both turn signals and hazard warning lights are included. Two relays are included in the fuse box for horn and electric cooling fan use. The 12-foot-long taillight leads allow easy connection in most compact and mid-size vehicles. Wagons and pickup trucks may require extending the taillight leads with additional wire of the same gauge size.
Each harness is constructed from premium quality GXL automotive wiring, with the appropriate wire diameter for each fused circuit (ranging 8 to 16 gauge). Every strand of this vintage automotive wire harness is covered with a high-temperature (-40°F to +257°F) outer coating and then wrapped in our vintage cloth wire covering, providing you with a modern vintage wiring harness with the retro looks everyone is after. The cloth braided covering is a true cloth braid and not a nylon plastic braid finish for a vintage cloth covered automotive wire look. Where our original 12-circuit harness was split into four main sections, we have made installation even easier with our vintage cloth covered wiring harness version by separating the circuits even further to now numbering 10 different branches. This allows separate left and right dash wiring, and new branches to further separate front body wiring (separate engine and lighting branches), and more to make installation as trouble free as possible for the first time wiring installer. The included six page instruction sheet covers all aspects of a typical installation.
Wiring up the steering column controls can be a daunting task, but our harness makes it easy. This harness plugs directly into most GM-style Shop GM Style Tilt Columns. It connects to aftermarket tilt columns from ididit, Flaming River, or Speedway Motors, as well as factory GM tilt columns from 1968-1996 cars, trucks, and vans (see our full list of GM Tilt Column Compatibility Chart. If you're sourcing a column from the junkyard, look for one with a flat "ribbon" plug, either 3-7/8-inch or 4-1/4-inch long (with 10 or more wires). Ignition switch plugs to connect "keyed" GM columns are also included in this kit.
Not using a GM tilt column? No problem. This Speedway wiring harness easily splices into other steering columns with the included pin-out wiring diagram (it helps to have a wiring schematic for your vehicle here, too) or If you’re planning to use our Standard Duty Bolt-On Turn Signal Switch or Heavy Duty Bolt-On Turn Signal Switch column mount turn signal switch, simply follow the color codes and circuit numbers provided in their instructions to mate up to our 12-circuit harness. We include the proper wiring connectors for the GM column mounted ignition switch too, but this harness can be used with a Shop Ignition Switches using the included wiring diagrams. Headlight pigtails and other connectors are included as well to ensure your installation is completed without drama.
This cloth covered wiring harness works with nearly any 12-volt vehicle, engine, and transmission combination (carb or EFI, automatic or manual), including engine swaps and is the perfect solution for vehicles with no reproduction harness options, custom builds, or the budget-minded DIY builder. From lighting and wipers, to gauges, ignition, horn, radio, and air conditioning, you’ll have the basics covered with ease using this universal hot rod wiring harness. The cloth covered Speedway 12 circuit wiring harness branches are wire tagged for identification and every individual wire is labeled with a shrink wrap sleeve listing circuit name and number. Simply route your harness as needed, make your connections, bundle, and finish your installation for a perfect antique car wiring harness appearance. We include crimp connectors, terminals, zip ties, and more to get you started right away. Of course, we have all the Shop Electrical Accessories you could need for a full wiring harness replacement and Shop Heat Shrink Tubing makes for clean wire terminal end appearances. You’ll be amazed at just how dependable your ride is now with updated wiring that looks period correct for your antique ride.
Installation Tip: No mounting bracket is provided, so a custom mounting method is required. Make sure any hardware used does not contact internal terminals or wiring. The back of the fuse block can be removed from the base unit (see photos above). By detaching the back unit, you can position and secure it as needed for installation, then reattach the fuse block assembly to the base unit.
Summary: Harness and instructions were easy to read and install. They break it down into smaller manageable chunks that make rewiring less intimidating. There were some wires I didn't use and some that I modified- but that's all part of working with a universal kit. Love the braided covering too!
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: Harness was easy to work with and had great wiring diagram
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: The wiring harness is a cut and dry installation for my truck.
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: I converted to 12v and wired a 54' Ford F100 with a fuel injection unit with this harness and it turned out a perfect length. Works and looks fantastic
Yes, I recommend this product.
Summary: I will not be installing harness until next winter , but it was a great price to buy now. It will look correct for my 38 Dodge hot rod. The instructions look very well done.
Yes, I recommend this product.