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Installing wiring harness in '50 Commander

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  • Installing wiring harness in '50 Commander

    I'm putting in a new wiring harness in my '50 Commander. Any advice on whether or not to remove the dash to do it? I've never taken one out of one of these. It looks tighter underneath than others I have worked on. Worth the effort?
    Chip
    '63 Cruiser
    '57 Packard wagon
    '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
    '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

  • #2
    My vote is remove it to save time and aggravation if they are as easy to remove as the later models.

    Comment


    • #3
      In 1970 I removed my dash on my 1950 Commander to repaint the black lower part. It wasn't hard to do, but then I was much younger. I'd just remove the left round gauge cluster, and leave all the rest in place. If laying upside down on your back doesn't bother you, then you don't need to remove anything.

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      • #4
        Just remove the 2 instrument clusters. One is your speedometer and gauges. The other is either a clock or clock delete. You will find that is sufficient. If you have a radio you might want to drop it down as well. The biggest headache is the wire in the roof for your rear dome light. It will require removing the headliner and replacing it.
        Ed Sallia
        Dundee, OR

        Sol Lucet Omnibus

        Comment


        • #5
          I'll try removing the clusters, sounds like a good approach, and the radio, too. Thanks!
          Chip
          '63 Cruiser
          '57 Packard wagon
          '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
          '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by raoul5788 View Post
            I'll try removing the clusters, sounds like a good approach, and the radio, too. Thanks!
            I would remove the front seat first.
            Jerry Forrester
            Forrester's Chrome
            Douglasville, Georgia

            See all of Buttercup's pictures at https://imgur.com/a/tBjGzTk

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            • #7
              It also helps to use an air hose to blow away all the loose dust, so you have less chance of getting it in your eyes.

              Comment


              • #8
                And where does one buy a ‘50 Commander (Land Cruiser in my case) wiring harness and for how much?
                1950 Commander Land Cruiser
                1951 Champion Business Coupe
                1951 Commander Starlight
                1952 Champion 2Dr. Sedan
                1953 Champion Starlight
                1953 Commander Starliner
                1953 2R5
                1956 Golden Hawk Jet Streak
                1957 Silver Hawk
                1957 3E5 Pick-Up
                1959 Silver Hawk
                1961 Hawk
                1962 Cruiser 4 speed
                1963 Daytona Convertible
                1964 Daytona R2 4 speed
                1965 Cruiser
                1970 Avanti

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by drrotor View Post
                  And where does one buy a ‘50 Commander (Land Cruiser in my case) wiring harness and for how much?
                  I think the name is "Lark Works" or Lark Wiring" and I think they are in Ohio. Hopefully someone else knows for sure, but when I talked to him at a national meet in St Louis, he said he was blueprints for all the wiring harnesses.

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                  • #10
                    Any other suppliers, just for comparison’s sake?
                    1950 Commander Land Cruiser
                    1951 Champion Business Coupe
                    1951 Commander Starlight
                    1952 Champion 2Dr. Sedan
                    1953 Champion Starlight
                    1953 Commander Starliner
                    1953 2R5
                    1956 Golden Hawk Jet Streak
                    1957 Silver Hawk
                    1957 3E5 Pick-Up
                    1959 Silver Hawk
                    1961 Hawk
                    1962 Cruiser 4 speed
                    1963 Daytona Convertible
                    1964 Daytona R2 4 speed
                    1965 Cruiser
                    1970 Avanti

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Studebakers West also does harnesses but I am not sure if they have this one
                      Milt

                      1947 Champion (owned since 1967)
                      1961 Hawk 4-speed
                      1967 Avanti
                      1961 Lark 2 door
                      1988 Avanti Convertible

                      Member of SDC since 1973

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Here's a link for Lark Works, but it would be good to hear how your comparison finds prices and originality of the harness. They are in Stockton, Kansas.
                        There is also Rhode Island Wiring, but I've never talked with them.

                        Calling All Studebaker Drivers!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Any time I have to work under dash on older cars I remove the front seat and put a pad to prevent obstruction from digging into my my back a dog bed works well for me. you also may want to remove bottom of back seat for added room and comfort it can be a nice lay down job with proper prep work better than laying under car.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I got mine from Studebakers West, total was about $360 including shipping for the chassis, taillight, and o/d harness. That's a lot less than most other vendors and the quality is very good. It's not cloth wrapped, but that's okay, it's for a driver.
                            Chip
                            '63 Cruiser
                            '57 Packard wagon
                            '61 Lark Regal 4 dr wagon
                            '50 Commander 4 dr sedan

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              This is helpful. Thanks.
                              1950 Commander Land Cruiser
                              1951 Champion Business Coupe
                              1951 Commander Starlight
                              1952 Champion 2Dr. Sedan
                              1953 Champion Starlight
                              1953 Commander Starliner
                              1953 2R5
                              1956 Golden Hawk Jet Streak
                              1957 Silver Hawk
                              1957 3E5 Pick-Up
                              1959 Silver Hawk
                              1961 Hawk
                              1962 Cruiser 4 speed
                              1963 Daytona Convertible
                              1964 Daytona R2 4 speed
                              1965 Cruiser
                              1970 Avanti

                              Comment

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