Electrical: Which front wiring harness?

[mmagic]

I'm planning to switch to 12 volt as part of the rebuild. I will be using Stewart Warner wings gauges and alternator.

Should I be ordering a Hawk front hiring harness instead of the Speedster version? .

[StudeRich]

That will be an interesting swap, because the Hawk has a quite different dash, I would lean toward a Speedster Harness because a 6 Volt Car has heavier gauge wire and overkill can never hurt.

The Positive Ground thing only applies to the Battery and the Ignition Coil so going to Negative ground will not be a problem either.

[JimC]

Contact Donald at Larkworks with your question. He's the man for making Studebaker wiring harnesses, and I'll bet that he can probably make you a custom harness with the right connections you need. It's worth a shot.

[brngarage]

You can get "factory original" harnesses from Studebaker West in Richmond, Ca. I agree with the previous comment; go with the 6 volt harness because the 12 volt system will only require 1/2 the amps of the 6 volt and the 6 volt harness will provide you with much heavier gauge wiring. I'm presently installing the "factory replacement" harnesses from Studebaker West in my '53 Commander even though I am converting to 12 volts.

[StudeRich]

Correction for original correct type Wire Harnesses: Call Carl Thoms at Studebakers West in Redwood City, CA near San Francisco 650 366 8787.

SDC Members and "Turning Wheels" advertiser for many years.

[rockne10]

You can get "factory original" harnesses from Studebaker West in Richmond, Ca. ... I'm presently installing the "factory replacement" harnesses from Studebaker West in my '53 Commander ...

Some years ago I contacted Studebaker West for a "factory original" harness for my '53. I was told their harnesses, though of high quality, were not braided lacquer coated like the "factory original" ones that were installed in to 1955. Fit, function and quality should not necessarily be labelled as "factory original."

[bezhawk]

If you wan't cloth cover original type harnesses, contact Rhode Island Wiring . Y-n-Z yesteryear Parts is by far the most accurate to the original.

[doug]

What about a universal kit like "Painless" Products?

[StudeRich]

Some years ago I contacted Studebaker West for a "factory original" harness for my '53. I was told their harnesses, though of high quality, were not braided lacquer coated like the "factory original" ones that were installed in to 1955. Fit, function and quality should not necessarily be labelled as "factory original."

Wasn't 1955 the first year for Plastic Coated wires?

[rockne10]

Yes, Rich. There has been some previous discussions about '55s that still included some cloth covered harnesses or portions thereof.
The consensus was that leftover stock from the '54 models was used until gone. There is no serial number cutoff date on these in the parts catalogs.

[Spannerbird]

I've met Donald at the C.S., meet and I'd love to buy wiring from him. I was just slightly unsure of peoples' opinions of his products/work, but it seems that I should probably continue the idea of buying from him.

[Charlie D]

I also recommend Donald Erickson





I noticed that the cloth versus plastic wires was discussed briefly earlier in this post. Footage wise, the cloth covered wiring made up approximately 1/3 of the total wiring on my car.



Charlie D.

[Dick Steinkamp]

What about a universal kit like "Painless" Products?

I'm with Doug.

With the conversion to 12V, generator replaced with alternator, different steering column, different gauges, I would go with a universal kit.

I've done several cars with EZ Wire products.

http://www.ezwiring.com/wiring_harness.html

[Charlie D]

Merlin,

I forgot about your newer steering wheel which would not be using the original style wiring. You are a very goal oriented individual who gets a bunch of things done in a hurry!! Keep up the good progress.

Charlie D.

[Spannerbird]

I just spoke with Donald and I'll probably need to and will be replacing almost all the wiring as besides having already purchased the spark plug wires/cables, and the battery cables seeming to be in good condition, most of the wires are bare and in spots, corroded. I decided on going with almost everything as I don't want to have to purchase one small kit, then realise I need more wires over time. It also gives me peace of mind that every wire in the car will be new.