When to run wiring harnesses

[rhk118]

Hi All, waiting on my engine and transmission which are a ways away (hopefully by the end of summer). I have nothing done in the cockpit but will need to adjust the stock seat mounting brackets and will be installing an electric power steering motor under the dash. This all needs welding that I won't be doing myself. I'm at a point that I'm not sure how to proceed. Only thing not installed is the AC unit but that's next, then some powder coating of some of the engine compartment panels. The biggest bear at this point I could make a dent in is the wiring harnesses. But there is going to be a bunch of welding happening on the driver's side steering column area (where gauges will be) as well as some welding of the cockpit floor for the seats. I don't trust bolting seats to that flimsy steel of the cockpit floor, so will add reinforced brackets. My concern is welding will potentially melt any wires or rubber lines in the area so have held off on starting, especially since I don't have engine or transmission even close to being ready. Could I start running the harnesses and do the welding later?

Looking for suggestions on "big picture" of the build since I've taken the past 6 months off due to an injury. Presently all suspension, gas tank, brakes installed, all panels drilled and 50% of them are final powder coated. My current build plan from here plan is:
1. Electric steering bracket and the seat mounts welded in
2. Install engine/transmission
3. Wiring
4. Cockpit
5. Body prep and back on
6. Paint...etc.

Other option is I can begin prepping the body and get that mounted then engine/transmission in, then wiring, but seems wiring would be easier with the body off? Guess its just patience for a while...

[Kbl7td]

If there’s concern for your welder melting wires in the dash then you need a new welder. They can shield it pretty easily, but ideally TIG and if shielded mig then it shouldn’t be blow slag everywhere anyways. Run the wiring, knock down the mold parting lines and fill, etc. lots to do!

[rhk118]

Thanks, thats what I figured. In the past I've done some custom car stereo installs where some welding was needed and had issues with melted wires a foot away from heat conduction through metal, not necessarily because of sloppy welding. Guess we can just move it out of the way for the welding bit.

[lance corsi]

My last item to install after paint and before mounting body panels is the wiring harness. That way, I’m sure about all locations to which I must run wires.
My approach is this: 1) finish all welding, 2) have my painter paint the finished chassis, 3) mount all body panels as previously fit, 4) panel match bodywork, 5) while the body panels are getting paint, return the chassis to my shop for final assembly and wiring, 6) mount finished body panels.
I’ve done a lot of thinking about this and I think it’s my best path forward. Good luck!

[LateApex]

Not sure about needing to wire with body off. The body doesn't interfere much with main wiring, except as pertains to things like headlights (the front harness as may be impacted by the bonnet hinge point. The biggest challenge for me was dialing in the wiring behind the dash.

Me? I got bored waiting for parts last year and tackled lots of bits out of sequence. I have made few wiring mods since titling, like moving a coolant temp sensor, and wiring up a rear view mirror (inside the cab on the roll bar, which is not impinged by the body, but would be easier with the body off ...) I am really glad that I designed my instrument panel to be easily removed to gain access to my rat's nest behind it. Once the body is on, removing the whole dash for such things is HARD if you are using the kit design.

Hope things are going well Hank. Patience comes to those who wait ... :-)