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wiring harness

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by jeep6275, Mar 26, 2011.

  1. Mar 26, 2011
    jeep6275

    jeep6275 Member

    south east iowa
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    Messages:
    67
    hey guys im wanting to swap a 96 4.3 out of an s10 into my cj. i did get the harness but man their is alot going on there. im thinking of buying an engine harness from painless.

    anyone have any input on this? does anyone else make an engine harness besides painless? anybody reused the existing harness?

    thanks in advance

    jeep
     
  2. Mar 26, 2011
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,785
    Lots of discussion on the subject of aftermarket and reused harness. Try searching "painless", and "ez wire", should get lots of hits.

    Just bought, but not yet installed, the ez wire harness. Looks like its quality, and LOTS cheaper than painless.
     
  3. Mar 26, 2011
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Painless is the only one making an engine Harness as far as I know. One member just installed one into his stroker 4.6L I-6 powered Jeep. Pathkiller was the member IIRC.
     
  4. Mar 26, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    What engine does your Jeep have now?
     
  5. Mar 27, 2011
    jeep6275

    jeep6275 Member

    south east iowa
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    Messages:
    67
    currently the engine is a 74 304. the jeep is wired with a painless wiring harness for (i think) the 76 and newer jeeps. i swapped in a gm column and had the electronic ignition kit from a 78 cj with a 304 so i bought a newer harness so i would be able to easily connect the upgrades.

    the engine i want to swap in is a 4.3 from a 96 s10 blazer. it is cmpi. hope this helps.

    jeep
     
  6. Mar 27, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    What are you hoping to accomplish with this swap?

    I ask because it's a surprising choice of engines for a '74. The AMC 4.0L would be the obvious choice if you had a 6-cylinder. I recall that Painless makes a harness for that engine.
     
  7. Mar 27, 2011
    HOGHEAD

    HOGHEAD Made in the U S A

    Sharpsburg
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2006
    Messages:
    45
    I bought a ez wire harness for my 74 with a AMC V8 & told them I had a S-10 tilt column & needed the wirng for that & it came with everything I needed for Winsheld Wiper,Blinkers,Horn & ignition ,, Plus what gages I had as far as lights go,,Everything was color coded & had the name of what it went to every 6 inchs,, Looks easy to hook up a old welder like me shouldnt have to hard a time doing,, I think it was a 21 circuits so ill have room to add on like Radio or Heater or Heated seats maybe,,,
     
  8. Mar 28, 2011
    54cj3b

    54cj3b Member

    evergreen colorado
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    Jul 7, 2010
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    236
  9. Mar 28, 2011
    Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    Omaha NE
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    Nov 25, 2008
    Messages:
    322
    I have a 4.3 in my CJ-7 and used the Painless kit. It's pretty far from just plug and play, there was plenty of cutting and splicing wires but it all comes together and works very well. I've had it for over ten years with zero problems. My motor has a throttle body where yours probably has port injection making my system much easier to install than yours.
     
  10. Mar 28, 2011
    73cj5

    73cj5 Member

    Maine
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2004
    Messages:
    903
    Whats your electrical skill level? Cutting down a factory harness from the 96 would be difficult (particularly so because its OBD2) but not impossible. I cut down a factory harness for my tbi with little trouble. With a copy of the service manual for both vehicles it can be done. Keep in mind computer mods may be needed to remove any antitheft devices from the ecu.
     
  11. Mar 28, 2011
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    Mine's not an engine harness, it's a complete EFI system. Totally replaces the factory computer and sensors with GM-Delphi parts.
     
  12. Mar 29, 2011
    jeep6275

    jeep6275 Member

    south east iowa
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
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    67
    basically i got the engine,transmission and transfercase for 5hundy. the engine was rebuilt 10000 miles ago, and the whole package has about 120000 on it. so in the end i will end up with fuel injection and overdrive!

    i wanted to use a 4 liter, but i really wanted an overdrive transmission. the biggest thing i hate about my jeep is the 3 spd is never in the correct gear. the engine is always over revving or lugging.

    as far as my electrical ability i have done a tbi engine harness and i wired this jeep with a painless harness, i am not an electrician but work with wiring and schematics everyday. so i am sure i could make the original harness work, i am just trying to decide if two weekends in the garage sorting the harness out are time well spent compared to the 700 that painless gets for a new engine harness.

    thanks for the thoughts so far guys!
     
  13. Mar 30, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The 4.0L came with an overdrive transmission, either the AX15 or the NV3550, depending on the year. Which transmission are you using? I'm not as familiar with the GM transmissions. I expect the V6 will allow you to move the rear of the engine forward some and fit a longer transmission, even an automatic, should you be so inclined.
     
  14. Mar 30, 2011
    jeep6275

    jeep6275 Member

    south east iowa
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    Messages:
    67
    4l60e
    4 speed auto
     
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