99 DII - Replacing dash wiring harness

[craig]

I have a damaged dash wiring harness, bought a used one in good shape, and am getting ready to swap it.

As far as I can tell, this is just a time consuming dissasemble, re-assemble project. I don't have to worry about dust getting into anything, don't have to worry about torque values, etc. Just pull the dash and start unclipping the old harness and clipping in the new harness. Possibly involving a bit of masking tape and a sharpie to label things.

Anyone done this before? Is my layman's perspective on what's involved accurate?

Craig

Edit: And disconnecting the battery before starting.

 

[Cozy41EF]

Never done this on LR, but have "fixed" several VW's that had electrical problems including a fire. Disconnect the battery, as you mentioned first, I use masking tape to lable the connectors. As you unplug each on the truck, find the corresponding connector on the salvage harness and lable where it goes. Depending on how much of the harness you are replacing, removing kick panels, knee panels, glove box, cluster and such. Take you time, take pictures of how the harness runs. Make sure you don't leave any part running against any sharp edges. I've also used electrical cleaner to spray all of the connectors on the salvage harness to make sure they are clean and dry before you install it. Last one I did i used a digital camera to take pictures of how things run through the dash.

It's just a pain, buy bandaids to put over the cuts you'll get. Car dashes have an incredible amount of sharp edges and screws sticking out. As you did your hand into dark places, things will cut and scratch.

 

[ptschram]

I've also used electrical cleaner to spray all of the connectors on the salvage harness to make sure they are clean and dry before you install it.

Been there, done this.

At my first shop, we rewired a DI that caught fire during a stereo install.

Depending upon how long the old harness was off the donor truck, the degree of corrosion on the connectors will vary, but this is a serious issue as you can end up chasing your tail after it's all put back together again.

 

[gmookher]

wow sounds aweful, like you may need to drink thru this repair, beer is in order


how did you damage it Craig?

 

[craig]

Been there, done this.

At my first shop, we rewired a DI that caught fire during a stereo install.

Depending upon how long the old harness was off the donor truck, the degree of corrosion on the connectors will vary, but this is a serious issue as you can end up chasing your tail after it's all put back together again.

Thanks PT. The wiring harness was freshly and carefully pulled off a donor vehicle last week. I'll be sure to follow the suggestion to clean everything with electrical cleaner before putting it back together again.

Craig

 

[craig]

how did you damage it Craig?

Now, why would I want to publically disclose what a dumbass I can be?

WTH... I'm not sure if it was damaged by me when running a heavy gauge wire through the firewall grommet for my blue sea fuse box or if it was done prior to that when a stereo shop ran one through. Either way, it's been my trucks achilles heel for a couple of years now and at this point just needs to be replaced.

Craig

 

[craig]

Cozy41EF - thanks for solid reply. I appreciate the tips.