Thing Wiring Harness
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LB181
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2002 12:01 am
Thing Wiring Harness
Has anyone replaced their Thing's wiring harness? When I open up the dash I just have a huge rat's nest of wires. The previous owner seems to have been a genius electrician with all the "custom" work. I am looking at my options. Has anyone used the Socal Imports harness? It seems a lot more expensive than the bug ones. Would the main difference be the gas heater?(1973) I saw an advertisement for custom harnesses in Hot Vws. Expensive also but they use a newer fuseblock, GM color coded wires marked every few inches down the wire and more accessory connections than I can use. I am not going to run the gas heater so does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
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GhiaRacing
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2002 12:01 am
Thing Wiring Harness
I put the GM harness on a Ghia I had. It was so easy to put in, and never gave me trouble. The only bump in the road I can think of is Gauge compatablity. If you have stock VW you'll be okay.
I am having trouble with my spagetti vw wires in a Ghia I have now, .. seems they like to start small fires... HMMMM. GM took care of this last time, and It looks so much cleaner. One of the VW mags had installation overview not long ago. But the price is slightly negotiable as I found out.
It also really helps when you want to put in a huge system, mini Fridge, portable t.v., 12v outlets, food warmer, cell phone charger, and anything else you would NEED in your Ghia... or Thing.
J
I am having trouble with my spagetti vw wires in a Ghia I have now, .. seems they like to start small fires... HMMMM. GM took care of this last time, and It looks so much cleaner. One of the VW mags had installation overview not long ago. But the price is slightly negotiable as I found out.
It also really helps when you want to put in a huge system, mini Fridge, portable t.v., 12v outlets, food warmer, cell phone charger, and anything else you would NEED in your Ghia... or Thing.
J-
LB181
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2002 12:01 am
Thing Wiring Harness
Thanks for the info on that GM harness. It looks like it would be pretty easy to install with the writing on the wires and such. I just hate having the jumbled wires. I had a little smoky dash too. What do you mean about it being negotiable. Can you minimize the cost with less accessories or what exactly do you mean? Thanks for your help.
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GhiaRacing
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Thu Jul 18, 2002 12:01 am
Thing Wiring Harness
I bought the wires out of a Ad in the VW mags. I think thier price on there is $300 up, or something close.
They told me that they only have one bundle and the instructions. And thats all they offer.
There are other companies that make harnesses for our VWs, but are more hot rod specific.
I called car dealers here in the valley to see how much a new harness would cost and Chevy said $400. Okay, I called porsche, $500. VW, $400. And they say this was a 'deal'! Remember, theses are new for all the Gadjets in new car (airbag, idiot lights, etc)
I called the VW mag place up and said that I found another custom VW dealer offering a similar item by porsche for $75 less and shipped. (I was lying of course) but they came down to that price.
I know that it was worth the money at $300, it solved so many problems that come with a 30 year old car.
I am planning on getting another one soon.
BTW, very important, somewhere in small print on the instructions it says something like, "you may not need to ground unused wire or conections..." They are saying "we want you to burn up your harness to buy another from us soon!"
Ground Everything! And be sure its on raw steel. J
They told me that they only have one bundle and the instructions. And thats all they offer.
There are other companies that make harnesses for our VWs, but are more hot rod specific.
I called car dealers here in the valley to see how much a new harness would cost and Chevy said $400. Okay, I called porsche, $500. VW, $400. And they say this was a 'deal'! Remember, theses are new for all the Gadjets in new car (airbag, idiot lights, etc)
I called the VW mag place up and said that I found another custom VW dealer offering a similar item by porsche for $75 less and shipped. (I was lying of course) but they came down to that price.
I know that it was worth the money at $300, it solved so many problems that come with a 30 year old car.
I am planning on getting another one soon.
BTW, very important, somewhere in small print on the instructions it says something like, "you may not need to ground unused wire or conections..." They are saying "we want you to burn up your harness to buy another from us soon!"
Ground Everything! And be sure its on raw steel. J