The wiring in my Ram is 27 years old and its probably OK yet, but since I am rebuilding the truck I might as well rewire the truck to.

What size wire is stock? I wanted to go up a size from stock.

Is there any areas in the wiring that are troublesome?

 

They used many different gauge wires throughout the truck. The biggest problems are bad grounds and the lights from the rear axle and back. I would recommend you get a good wiring diagram for your year truck to guide you.

 

i would leave all the wires in the cab alone if everything works fine. the place where most of the problems occur is under the hood where the weather can get at them. you could also install some relays to to remove some of the stress off the stock wiring. i bought a power distribution center from a 2000 dodge caravan for $10 and it had 13 relays and a whole lot of fuses. i currently only have it hooked up to my electric fans but eventually i would like to hook it up to other things like headlights. i have read that putting the headlights on a relay could make them seem brighter and take 10amps of stress off stock wiring.

 

Big problem is the alternator and battery wire passing through the 1/4 quick connects at firewall..it burns up. So, cut wires off at connector on both sides, run #10 wire through fire wall in added tubing to prevent shorts and solder solidly on both sides, insulate with shrink tubing,two layers. Crimp connectors are junk.

Huge job to rewire whole truck..why? Other weak point is heater fuse holder burns up, add modern fuseholder with 25 A fuse from fuse panel power feed or from your new #10 alternator wire to heater fan switch . Not battery wire,alternator. If you put to battery, ammeter will not read that current when fan is on.

 

i think they fixed the amp gauge wiring problem in 1980. since the truck is a 85 it should not have that problem. it should also have a proper fuse panel.

 

I am installing new gauges, so that was one of the reasons to rewire the interior.

I have read the same thing about the relays. I was going to add those for the headlights so that all of the current isn't going through the switch. Along with relays for an electric fan and water pump.

 

i guess it depends on how far you are taking it. i wouldn't what to have to completely rewire a truck. the stock gauge wires should be strong enough for any aftermarket gauges.

you plan on installing an electric water pump? i have read it is not really worth the effort if you plan on using the truck as something you drive on the road. also have you checked to make sure you have an alternator that is strong enough to run all of this. i know i have dual electric fans and they pull about 15 amps each on startup and 10amps while running and if they are both running while i have everything else on you can notice it. i only have a 65 amp alternator but i plan on upgrading to the 100 amp alternator.

 

The truck is getting a 383. I am experimenting with converting it to a serpentine belt setup using factory parts off the magnum engines. The alternator I was thing of using is a 136 amp.

I want to see how an electric water pump works on the big block.

 

I have rewired several vehicles in the past.
Before you start rewiring, make as many changes to the wiring with the harness still in the truck.
That way you can make sure everything is working and mounted where you want it (relays, fans and such).
You can just splice in to make changes, and then eliminate the splices when you redo the entire harness.
Let me say that splicing should be temporary and only done to make sure things are going to work and then eliminated.
Buy you wire here http://www.enoscustom.com/index.html
they have it available prelabeled and without fuse box.


Dave