Since "OBEASTYs'" wiring looked something like an old bird's nest under the dash, we decided to step up and get her the best new wiring kit we could afford. After asking a few of my friends and doing quite a bit of shopping around we chose an American Autowire Highway 22 Kit which comes with very easy to follow step by step instructions.

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Even though these kits can sell for $429...we found ours on E-bay for $383

I tried to find a nice flat place, close to the steering column, for mounting the fuse box. I couldn't find one ...so I made one.

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February 21st 2008 "OBEASTYs' " dash finally got wired
.................All the connections have been soldered and then covered with electrical tape.

On the right is "OBEASTYS'" " hidden switch plate". It holds the Light Switch, Wiper Switch, and a Toggle Switch ( which might be used for an extra set of Front Running Lights or it may get replaced with a switch for a "Wolf Whistle" ) all up and out of sight.

......................................"OBEASTYs'"new dash is ready to be mounted and plugged in.
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........March 11th 2008 "OBEASTY" has a new speedometer cable that I found at BPE ( Part #CA3004 84", 7/8"-18 input nut, 5/8"-18 output nut ) In order for the new speedometer to work properly I've replaced the speedometer gear in "OBEASTYs'" new transmission with the speedometer gear from her old transmission because her old transmission and her rear axle(3:23 Gears) came from the same donor car when we built her in 1987. We also started on the ignition wiring today

........................................................ Not to worry...the wire ties are coming

"OBEASTYs'" newest parts include a Mopar Performance Chrome Brain Box, an Accell Chrome Coil, and a 160amp One Wire Alternator from MCR

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..........March 15th 2008 We put the dash back in temporarily just to see how "hidden" the switches will really be. I must say I'm very pleased with the results. Everything is out of sight but easily within reach. Until I came up with this idea I was really wondering where I would put the switches...so this Column Drop helped solve my dilemma

............................"OBEASTYs' " Headlight Switch plays ...now you see it...now you don't.

I really doubt at this point that we'll ever put AC on "OBEASTY"...but...I left room for a Heater Switch just in case the 440 doesn't keep us warm enough. ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

April 1st 2008 A very big day today..."OBEASTYs'" new 440 heart actually turns over when you put a key in the ignition switch and then turn it...no..really...it really does...really!!!!no foolin!!!
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April 15th 2008 We were hoping to have this show on the road by now...but thats ok...we've come along way with this project over the last year...so...another few weeks won't make to much difference. Now it's time to get busy with the rest of "OBEASTYs'" wiring. After this we need a couple new front tires ( BFG 215/65/15 Radial TAs ) , then to get our radiator set up with it's "Lincoln Mark 8 Fan". After that we'll get the front sheet metal back on, get all the lights working, and "hopefully have our windshield installed" ( see page #7 ).

After the Ignition Wires are in place there are basically four destinations, or directions, for the rest of the wires to go. Some go to the Engine Compartment, some go to the rear of the car, some go to Fuse Panel, and some go to Ground. I'm using four, strategically placed, 5/8" Line Clamps to help organize things and to keep the kayos to a minimum.

I found this neat little "Bus Strip" ( don;t know what else to call it) on the firewall of a Chevy Pickup at our local "Pull-A-Part" Wrecking Yard. On the Pickup it's hot, but I took one look and thought it would work equally well as a "Ground Strip". The Left End Post has a Ground Wire running though the firewall and down to the frame. The Right End Post is for the Ground Wire for the Wiper Motor and another Ground Wire that will go straight down to the floor. The middle posts are for Grounds for all the Lights. I believe you can't have to many Ground Wires. .

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..............April 21 2008 I've been busy the last couple of days tidying up things in the Engine Compartment.

.......................Was planning to use the old dimmer switch, which bolts in from under the floor, until I realized that the new one that's supplied with our wiring kit has it's own harness with this nice little plug. I just have to finish wiring the plug and get my son to lend a hand with the bolts that will hold the dimmer switch in place.
............On the Left..this is what I was referring to when I mentioned the "kayos"....this... however it may look...is "organized kayos". The loops of wire on the right will each be directed, one at a time, up thru the drivers side windshield post and then to the trunk. The Brown wire is for running lights, Green & Yellow are for Turn Signals, Tan is for the Fuel Gauge, Orange is the Hot Wire for the Dome Light, and the Blue wire is for "OBEASTYs'" Factory Stock Third Tail Light on the Trunk Lid.

And...no this isn't "Factory Stock"...but it will be mounted very shortly on "OBEASTYs'" Trunk Lid.

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April 25th 2008 Well this was a momentous day...one year ago today we started this "Phase Two Rebuild " of "OBEASTY". Now if things go right in this next few weeks I'm hoping to be driving "OBEASTY" to the Mopar Spring Round up, at the XXX Drive in, in Issaquah Washington on June 1st. The wiring is almost done, I'm working on a shroud for our Lincoln Mark 8 Fan so it can cool our new radiator like it's supposed to, the new front tires are ordered, and the new rubber gasket for the windshield is supposed to be on it's way to us...so no pressure.

...........I'll be the first to admit that when we bought our American Autowire Highway 22 Kit , having never wired an an entire car before, I was a little intimidated when I opened the box. But that feeling soon passed as I really studied everything. All I really had to do was follow the instructions and everything just kind of fell into place. Of course the placement of switches and such are going to be different for every car, and things like the "Bus Strip" that I found, and using the Line Clamps to direct everything, are ideas of mine that just seemed logical. I guess my point, and advice, is that if you're thinking about wiring your own car, and you've never done it before, then I highly recommend an America Autowire Highway 22 Kit because it will definitely simplify the process.

.........................Gosh...I must have done something right...the Running Lights actually work.

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May 10th 2008 Sorry..but my Digi Camera isn't quite good enough to pick up all the light from the Gauges...so I guess you'll just have to look really really close and trust me that all the Gauges glow very nicely in the dark..