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Rewiring the Entire Car - Painless Wiring Kit

panteradudepanteradudeMember
I thought this might be of some interest to those looking to update the wiring of their Pantera. I've decided to take on the task of rewiring the ENTIRE car with modern electronics. This includes the fuse block, all wiring, switches, and connections. The actual components for the ignition, fuel and cooling system have been updated in the past, and I'm leaving the stock window and headlight actuators in place. Everything else will be replaced and modernized.

I will be using a "ford muscle car" Painless Wiring kit to do this. The harness is designed for a generic muscle car layout, so it's taken a little "rearranging" to route the wires for a mid-engine arrangement.

So far I've done the following:
-Removed all existing wiring, connectors, switches and gauges
-Installed the new fuse block and routed the harness to the various locations for installation (engine bay, dash section, etc.)
-Wired the starter circuit, ignition system and charging system

I need to complete the following:
-All gauges (including sending units) and switches
-Interior and exterior lights
-Fuel pump circuit (with new relay)
-Cooling system (fans, temp sensors, relays, etc.)

All connections are/will be soldered and all wiring insulated. Part of this project includes rebuilding the dashboard with a custom layout, so I'll be using a switch panel for most functions rather than the original switches, including the ignition switch.

This is a large undertaking but it will pay off in the end with a brand new, reliable electrical system, and peace of mind that I won't have to worry about components and wiring failing.

I'm sure I'll have questions along the way, but I figured I'd post this thread if anyone was thinking about doing something like this to their car and had questions about the process as I go through it.

Aaron
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panteradudepanteradudeMember
I was actually just on your website looking at your build pictures - something to aspire to!

My interior currently looks about as bad as that first picture. Here's my interior on day one, after pulling the dash and before pulling the old wiring out:



I'll see if I can snap an updated picture this weekend.

Here's a pic of a custom dash that I began to put together. If I can swing it at some point I'd like to replace it with the carbon fiber dash that Wilkinson sells. I seem to remember the entire dash and center console being about $3000 but I think the dash alone was fairly inexpensive.

Last edited by panteradude
ea3528ea3528Member
Good timing, P Dude.

I am undertaking a similar project - albeit on a much lesser scale wiring-wise. As my dash, console, door panels and firewall/bulkhead are out for leather work, I am going to test all wiring connections and grounds. I will be adding the Pantera Electronics ATO Fuse Panel Mod for sure. Will you?

Here's a look at the mess I created once the dash and console were pulled. It's now in a much more organized state as I prepare to start work. Honestly, guys! Roll Eyes

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ea3528ea3528Member
I am still in the re-design planning stage for my new console. Here's a pic of what the new guage cluster will look like as I plan to move the switches to the new armrest I'm having fabricated. The "right side" of the console is still TBD as far as the re-design goes ... but I can tell you that I will be moving the dated vent levers under the console and out of sight (as they are rarely used).

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panteradudepanteradudeMember
I'll probably use the fuse block contained in the Painless kit, mainly because it's already pre-wired to the harness. One day if I'm feeling adventurous I'll take on the task of replacing it with the Pantera Electronics block because it does fit better.

Nice job on the console mock-up. What material did you use for that template?

I believe I will be removing the entire climate control system on mine, as this will primarily be a track car and I could use the weight savings. I'll have to figure out how to drain and remove that system without getting coolant all over the interior.
v8capriv8capriMember
Hi,
I too am in the process of doing wiring, switches and complete interior change and upgrade.
I don't have any pics, but when it is done I will get some pics for you.
I reckon i have pulled out about 10 kg of excess wiring !
oh the windows and headlights fly up and down now !
Good luck ! and stay focussed it will all be worth it.
panteradougpanteradougMember
This isn't intended to be a criticism of you or your project or me showboating and ego satisfaction, but the harness isn't really the problem at all.

If you use the Pantera Electronics components that's all you will really ever need to do.

Well pretty close anyway.

I went a little further. I built in Taurus power seat platforms, changed the window motors to Taurus/Windstar units and switched the stock points ignition to Motorcraft pointless distributor.

This combination allows one to keep the original flavor of the car without changing it into a restomod.

I also built in a Honda adjustable height steering column mechanism into the stock Pantera column...oh yea, that's not electrical? OK, maybe just a little showboating on my part? Sorry. It must be a Pantera thing or something? Big Grin
panteradougpanteradougMember
It is just the adjustable mechanism from a Honda Civic.
There is quite a bit of surgurey involved to get it to the point where you can weld it to the Pantera column.

It allows for basically the lowering of the column from stock height.

In my case the unit moves enough to actually lower the wheel into your lap.

The Honda mechanism is being a little difficult in that it is a friction device rather then a gear/ratchet design.

What I am saying is that it tends to slip down on you a little. I will be playing with it again over the winter and will see if I can come up with a solution to the issue or just scrap it all together and go back to stock.

What I like about this setup is that it looks like it is stock and the car came that way.

It also gives me the ability to adjust myself into the small cabin.

I also have lowered floor pans, 20 position adjustable power seats, and the pedals were moved forward over and inch.

That creates allot of room for me to squiggle around.

When I get back in the car I'll see if I can take some pictures for everyone. Sounds like more then just a few people are interested in this modification?
panteradudepanteradudeMember
quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
This isn't intended to be a criticism of you or your project or me showboating and ego satisfaction, but the harness isn't really the problem at all.

If you use the Pantera Electronics components that's all you will really ever need to do.


No offense taken Smiler

Using all Pantera Electronics components would have cost substantially more than the Painless kit (double, if not more) and would have only replaced components. The premise of my project is to replace all original wiring as well. The Painless harness makes it easier to do this than wiring my own harness.

The products sold by Pantera Electronics are nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not the only way to wire a ford electrical system.
panteradudepanteradudeMember
quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
A Ford wiring system...perhaps... but this isn't a Ford. It is a Detomaso.

Does Painless make a harness specifically for the Pantera? Adapting one from another car can't be fun?


There are no Pantera-specific wiring kits that I know of. This is a race car so I'm not attempting to have a model-accurate concours show car. It needs to run reliably, that is the goal. I'm also ASE Master certified with a decade of muscle car builds and antique restorations under my belt, so this is not the case of a backyard mechanic trying this for the first time.

From Pantera Electronics I can buy the $78 ignition bypass, the $305 fuse box, the $225 headlight controller, the $260 radiator fan controller, the $257 console switch controller, and then have to buy all new wiring and start rewiring the car....or I can use a Painless kit and achieve the exact same running car for under $500, albeit without fancy flashing lights in my fuse box that nobody will ever see.

They're nice products, and if I was only replacing individual components I might consider it - but I can rewire the entire car, including components, in half of what the cost for their parts are, and I can guarantee that the end result will be the same - a reliable car that runs.
C comp2Member
quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDude:
There are no Pantera-specific wiring kits that I know of.


Aaron, Plans for my car is to use a front and rear fuse block and relay panel. One in the trunk and one in the back. No fuses under the dash. The dash in fact will be removable with a plug or two making under dash wiring simple. I am going to get the avionics company to label some aircraft wiring. This is the block I intend to use for the front. I have a slightly smaller one in the rear:

http://haywireinc.com/catalog/images/fusepanel.jpg
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