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 Posted: Dec 30, 2018 02:12AM
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GB

EVERYTHING in a Mini (or Lucas in general) wiring loom is done for a purpose, even the colour changes midway through a wire.

Once you understand the reasoning for it (or wire a car from scratch using the correct colour codes) you won't want to change.

If I didn't build the loom from scratch, I'd be straight into fitting an Autosparks replacement loom - they just work.

 Posted: Dec 29, 2018 03:35PM
 Edited:  Dec 29, 2018 04:39PM
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US
If you use anything other than standard wiring harnesses, please, please, please take the time to draw or at least list what all the new colored wires hook up to and keep it with the car. I'm tired of working on cars with non standard wires. The only thing worse is when home made harnesses are installed and all the wires are the same color.

 Posted: Dec 29, 2018 11:23AM
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CA

https://www.centechwire.com/PDP-1B-High-Tech-Fuse-Panel-PDP-1B.htm

I prefer the centech fuse panel because it has terminal strip connection at the panel.
This way you can keep the connections at the load in tact and shorten the wires at the panel.

90% of being smart is knowing what you are dumb at. 

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 06:25PM
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I love the fact that the lucas harness is simple with the colors but my problem is that the wires are one color at the box or fuse and another color at the end. I dont like the glass fuses and inline fuses either. I have wired other cars with a painless harness and it is nice to see the printing on the wires. It does make trouble shooting a lot easier. So for me it would be a new lucas harness or a painless one. The lucas would be plug and play but i would still have the glass fuses, which i could change to blade, but i think overall for me the painless might be easier and a cleaner install?

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 03:13PM
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"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey" - John Ruskin

I find that (although costly) there is nothing simpler than using a new stock harness. All the connections are exactly where they need to be. The wires are colour coded to the accessary that they are supposed to connect to, and anyone who has ever seriously been involved in British cars can easily hook things up because the colour coding is the same on all Lucas harness'. Simple, quick, and easy. FWIW, the new harness' come with plenty of new smoke installed, so they usually last quite a while. Just a thought.

"Retired:  No Job, No Money, Wife and I!  Will travel anywhere for Minis"

[email protected]

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 09:57AM
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US
i have used Kwik Wire harnesses in several minis, mg's and my sunbeam.     less costly than painless and very happy with the results

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 09:55AM
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Where did you get it?

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 09:53AM
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gecz28.. I used a NEW universal wiring harness in my pick up..  this month.. it was only $99 complete.. later bc

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 09:17AM
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US
i used an ididit column as the customer wanted billet trim. I cut the end off the old column and made an adapter  to a u joint that fit the column.  The column was cut  to  length by ididit according  to my dimension.  And no i cannot remember  the dimension.   Very clean install.  

 Posted: Dec 25, 2018 07:59AM
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Do you remember what it was out of? Did you need any adapters for the base?

I think the rest of the rewire would be pretty easy with a gm column

 Posted: Dec 24, 2018 11:59PM
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US
I installed a gm style tilt wheel.  Plug and play.

 Posted: Dec 24, 2018 12:36PM
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CA
( the thread title suggests it might be about S+M for beginners....)

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Dec 24, 2018 09:25AM
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Hey kermit, do you remember what you did about the column wiring? I used a painless harness on a camaro but of course it was all gm components lol

 Posted: Dec 24, 2018 04:56AM
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US
In fact you don't need to replace the fuse block, just Label all the wires. And solder the back connection points to insure a solid connection. It seems a little drastic to replace the entire loom for a few glitches. I would replace those cheap rover single plastic fuse holders. The plastic is very flimsy and will stretch because of the heat from the current draw and spring.

 Posted: Dec 24, 2018 04:49AM
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US
Did a nice mini a couple of years ago.  The Painless harness was tedious to install but the result was worth it.  I hid all wires and it really cleaned up the engine compartment.  The relays, flashers and fuses are now off the shelf standard components. I also did a 510 by buying the fuse / relay box and made my own harness.

 Posted: Dec 23, 2018 11:57PM
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CA
If your existing wiring is good. Why not just change the fusebox?

check out the official website for updates!!!!!  //www.minimeetnorth.com

 

 Posted: Dec 23, 2018 05:15PM
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Im thinking about replacing my harness with a universal harness to eliminate the glass fuses, inline fuses and correct some of my wiring problems. Any thoughts ,suggestions or recommendations