Rewiring Car

[CA Duster 383]

1974 Duster w/383/727/4:56  Only sort of street legal. Has tags and insurance.

I want to install a swith panel on the dash with ignition and starter button, then switch's
for lights, fuel, water pump, fans. I plan on keeping the stock ignition switch as a steering
lockout.

Has anyone on the board done this and what kind of problems did you have?

Would I be better off keeping the wiring/switch's for the stock headlights and wiper motor?

[west]

i did that.
the only problem i had was i needed a relay to make my signals work.
i got it from painless.

[Jim_Lusk]

We built the wiring for Alan's Barracuda, but used the stock wiring/switch for the wipers and turn signals. It was easier that way.

[abqdart]

I am in the process of doing almost the same thing as you. I will be using a Switch panel like you have, BUT, I am also running my Fan, Water pump and fuel pump through a fuse panel and relays! During preliminary testing, mock up on work bench, it worked like a champ! If you want, I can email/post the pic's when I get a chance.

[mopowers]

I am in the process of doing almost the same thing as you. I will be using a Switch panel like you have, BUT, I am also running my Fan, Water pump and fuel pump through a fuse panel and relays! During preliminary testing, mock up on work bench, it worked like a champ! If you want, I can email/post the pic's when I get a chance.

I'd be interested in that too!  Did you draw out all the circuits on paper?

[CA Duster 383]

abqdart,

Yes, thank you I would be interested in seeing what you have done.

I'm sure others here on the board would also make use of the information.

TIA
Phil

[Jim_Lusk]

For those like me that are CHEAP, go out to your local self serve wrecking yard and look under the hoods of the late model Japanese cars. Lots of them had fuseable link/fuse/relay boxes with enough circuits and relays to do anything on these older cars. Some are as simple as a row of a few fuseable links (these are the newer cartridge style) to elaborate multi-circuit pieces. We used a fuseable link-only one under the hood on my son's Le Baron. Chrylser used a multi-link pigtail assembly that is a pain to deal with if any links have gone bad. I've got a small three relay panel that I'm going to use in my Barracuda for head lights and horn.

[mopowers]

For those like me that are CHEAP, go out to your local self serve wrecking yard and look under the hoods of the late model Japanese cars. Lots of them had fuseable link/fuse/relay boxes with enough circuits and relays to do anything on these older cars. Some are as simple as a row of a few fuseable links (these are the newer cartridge style) to elaborate multi-circuit pieces. We used a fuseable link-only one under the hood on my son's Le Baron. Chrylser used a multi-link pigtail assembly that is a pain to deal with if any links have gone bad. I've got a small three relay panel that I'm going to use in my Barracuda for head lights and horn.

Do you remember what vehicles you got the relays out of?

[Jim_Lusk]

I don't remember on the three relays, could have been a Mazda. I know it was a Mazda that we got the fuseable link panel for Jeff's Le Baron from. Figure out how many circuits you need and go hunting. Also, if you want a multiple lug strip for hots look in GM trucks around 1990. I got one of those for my Ramcharger for fuseable link hookup. If you grab one of those, get the links that are hanging off of it.

[69dartdrew]

I installed this switch panel from summit and mounted it where the radio was originally. Toggle switch for ignition, headlights, blower fan, two are still unused. W/wiper switch I left alone as well as the hazard light switch. The hazard switch is to complicated for a simple toggle, the brake light signal from the brake switch goes through there on its way to the tail-lights. Windshield wipers could be wired to a toggle switch, but you would only have one speed. so I left those under the cluster. Starter button is located where the cigar lighter used to be. and its hidden when the ashtray is closed. The only other issue I had was condensing the number of wires down to be able to connect to the toggle switch. The headlight has a bunch of wires going to it, so I had to splice the wires together a ways before I got to the switch. Just take your time and do it right, dont want to chase electrical gremlins in a modified wiring harness. (no schematic to trace). Another important note, switch your headlights to run through a relay instead of having all the amperage go through the switch.  That way the toggle switch has only milliamps running through it. I got my information about the headlight relays from Mad electrical. Here's the link: http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/brighter-headlights.shtml

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/drewbagel/dodge%20dart/161_6169.jpg

[CA Duster 383]

Thanks for the link to MAD electronics and the related story.
On your switch panel, are you going to label them or just leave
it as a suprise to anyone other than you who might try to drive the car?

Phil Saran

[69dartdrew]

I am going to leave it unlabeled.