[Terry M. Hunt]

There are two support rods that attach to the bottom of the dash then extend down to support the steering column. When I installed my reproduction dash harness, I routed it on the FORWARD side of these two rods(toward the front of the car). Later on I learned that there is a white plastic retainer built into the body of the harness that snaps into a hole in the back of the gauge cluster , which would seem to require the harness to be routed on the BACK side of these two rods(toward the rear of the car). Does that sound correct?

[Jeff Hamlin]

Facing the dash the harness runs on the LH side of the column.
The harness is forward of the support brace-rods.
Then, tight up across the top of the gauge housing.
IIRC, the plastic retainer snaps in above the speedo.

[Terry M. Hunt]

Appreciate the info and pictures.

[ZeGermanHam]

Don't know if it will help you, but here is what the wiring in my '66 looked like. I used the American Autowire classic update harness kit.

[gtospieg]

Z...curious to know what crimpers you used with the AAW harness. The ones they sell seem unnecessarily expensive. Thanks

[Cardo]

The hole above the speedo in Ham's picture is where that white locator is supposed to snap into.

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Z...curious to know what crimpers you used with the AAW harness. The ones they sell seem unnecessarily expensive. Thanks

Hey spieg. Just saw your post, sorry for the slow reply. Here are the crimpers that I used. Very pleased with the quality.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[drewm]

Originally Posted by ZeGermanHam

Don't know if it will help you, but here is what the wiring in my '66 looked like. I used the American Autowire classic update harness kit.

Ze, in hindsight, would it have been better/easier to install the gauge cluster without the steering column in place? I was thinking of installing my gauge cluster and then the steering column, or would there be too much wiring in the way to do it that way?

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by drewm

Ze, in hindsight, would it have been better/easier to install the gauge cluster without the steering column in place? I was thinking of installing my gauge cluster and then the steering column, or would there be too much wiring in the way to do it that way?

I think you could do it either way, but I decided to put the steering column in first for a few reasons. Firstly, I needed my car to be a roller that could be pushed and steered around my shop space before any wiring went into the car, so that necessitated putting the steering column in early on. Secondly, I wanted the ability to get the main wiring bulkhead in the car and bundle everything around the steering column rather than putting in all the wiring and dash and then trying to cram the steering column in there after the fact.

As I say, either way is doable, but in my view there are more advantages present when installing the gauge cluster after the column and wiring is already in. That way, you just plop the dash bezel w/gauges in the car and plug stuff in. Easy.

[gtospieg]

Thank you Z...will be ordering those real soon...wiring is next...or NOW

[drewm]

Originally Posted by ZeGermanHam

I think you could do it either way, but I decided to put the steering column in first for a few reasons. Firstly, I needed my car to be a roller that could be pushed and steered around my shop space before any wiring went into the car, so that necessitated putting the steering column in early on. Secondly, I wanted the ability to get the main wiring bulkhead in the car and bundle everything around the steering column rather than putting in all the wiring and dash and then trying to cram the steering column in there after the fact.

As I say, either way is doable, but in my view there are more advantages present when installing the gauge cluster after the column and wiring is already in. That way, you just plop the dash bezel w/gauges in the car and plug stuff in. Easy.

Ze, one other question. The new harness comes with a new keyed ignition switch. Did you get the tumbler recoded to match your door key or do you just have a separate ignition key now?

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by drewm

Ze, one other question. The new harness comes with a new keyed ignition switch. Did you get the tumbler recoded to match your door key or do you just have a separate ignition key now?

My car always had a separate key for the doors and the ignition, and I assumed that was how they left the factory. So, I still have a key for the doors/trunk and a key for the ignition.

[Kenth]

From factory there was one key for door and ignition and the other for trunk, dash glove box lid and console lid for those so equipped.

[drewm]

Originally Posted by Kenth

From factory there was one key for door and ignition and the other for trunk, dash glove box lid and console lid for those so equipped.

So the same key operated the door and the ignition, correct?

[Kenth]

Yes, that´s correct.