Morning everyone! First post here, figured I would try to document my travels as a novice wiring guy, I've done some simple stuff, like tachs, gauges, distributors and lights. Never anything this in depth. So my truck is a 1986 W250, manual with a 318. I had a lifter collapse on me and that started this whole rabbit hole. So the motor is getting a rebuild, and while I am waiting for parts I am going to rewire everything. Last night I started removing un-needed wires and labeling the rest. The late 80's lean bun system had, I believe 8 sensors to make it "work", I am going to be running a Rev-N-Nator ecm, and that only requires 4 wires. So 90% of the wires in the engine bay can be removed without issues. Quite the mess, call me a sychopath but I find it sorta therapeutic to do wiring. I will hopefully get to it a couple more times this week/weekend. ill give updates when I do.

 

Oh, that's gonna be fun.....

 

You can convert to regular electronic ignition. Minimal wiring change but you'll need a new distributor and a regular ignition controller. (Brain box.) I believe you can still get conversion kits.

 

may want to also look into adding a power distribution center of some sort. i would recommend trying to find something with space fore at least 4 relay along with space for a dozen or so fuses. you want at least 2 relays for the headlights. i would maybe even consider putting the voltage regulator and ignition system on another relay just so it doesn't see as much of a voltage drop between the battery and where it needs to go. i don't think it will really benefit the ignition system but i think it would help the charging system. the voltage regulator seeing more direct and accurate voltage will make the output a bit lower and more consistent when put under load.

 

Got a couple more hours into the wiring. Got all but 4 wires identified. Those shouldn't take to long to get, sure glad I got my trusty power probe to make this process significantly easier.
Also I definitely plan on adding a engine bay fuze block. Running a Blue sea systems, safety hub 100, a 150 amp circuit breaker and a 12 circuit fuze block. Lights will be ran off of relays and the starter was already ran from one. I'll definitely have more in the future, but figured that would be more than enough work for now.

 

Update #3.
Got all the wires identified. Fabricated up a fuse panel, just used some 12 Gauge stainless I had in the corner of the shop. Mounted what I have for the fuse/power system. I still am waiting for a stock starter relay and a Hella brand 6x relay box to mount in the remaining space.

 

that is likely not the greatest place to mount things. once you got a battery in there it will likely be very hard to get at to change fuses if needed.

 

I was thinking that at first but it's a pretty clean installation. He evidently not doing a hack job so if there are any issues, I'm sure he'll be avle to fix it in short order.

 

if your stuck on the side of the road last thing you want to be fighting with is a hard to get at fuse panel but i guess that is just my opinion. plus he will have to run wires farther than they need be which is not really ideal. the farther power has to travel the more voltage drop you will see.

 

Hey all! Got updates! Life got in the way, as always. I'll get pictures tomorrow. About 75% done with everything I am wanting and about 90% of the way to getting it started. Got some cool things setup.