RF Harness - Yes or No?

[PNWTim]

I am diving deep into my build and giving wiring a critical eyeball. Lots going on with a Coyote based build. I am struggling a bit with the RF Harness. I understand why it is built like it is but I would have much preferred a fuse panel with assorted long length wires to route, wrap and terminate as I see fit. All the harness legs are meant to terminate behind the dash taking up a significant amount of room simply because of the connectors. I would've preferred the harnesses connecting at each of their service points i.e. front of firewall side for the front lights, rear hatch area, etc.

With all that said, I am considering rebuilding the harness to move the primary connections out from the dash to more localized areas. This is a lot of work and may not be worth it. I have looked at completely replacing the harness with an American Autowire Highway 22 setup or just building completely from scratch (which is a bit outside of my comfort zone).

I would very much like to hear what others have done and how they overcame some of these obstacles. I obviously don't think the supplied harness is unusable; I just think it could be assembled in a more user-friendly fashion.

[edwardb]

It's a universal harness. Originally designed (I think) for the Roadster and then sold with every other model. Try putting one of those in a Hot Rod Truck (I did...). Fits decently in the Roadster, but compromises elsewhere. My personal opinion, without doing anything else but making the RF harness work, is use it and modify as needed. For my Coupe build, I removed all the convolute and made a lot of changes. Shortened legs, took out connectors for space, etc. But my in opinion is no less worth than making another brand universal harness work. I'd be real careful about making from scratch unless that's something you know a lot about. Automotive electric concepts in this case are pretty simple. But still not something you want to get wrong.

[michael everson]

I really like starting with a Painless universal harness. But since the kit comes with the RF harness, I just take it apart like paul does and move things where they work best.
Mike

[PNWTim]

Thanks guys. It's actually the direction I am leaning.

[Jphoenix]

Tim, take a close detailed look at the RF fuse block, mine was assembled improperly and at least one relay connection was incorrect. Their method of attaching the relays to the plastic fuse block was less than impressive. I'd ring it out prior to installing just to make sure it all works as needed.

[Papa]

I have a Coupe on order and have also been looking at wiring options. The easy button is to do as others have recommended and modify the RF harness to suite, but that makes me cringe a bit given some of the threads on RF quality control escapes recently. Painless looks like a quality option as well, but again, another universal product. I'd be interested to hear any first-hand experiences with Infinity Box. So far, my experience has been soured by pushy sales tactics. I can get past that if the product is solid. Anyone have any input to offer. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to discuss a supporting vendor in the public forum.

Dave

[PNWTim]

Tim, take a close detailed look at the RF fuse block, mine was assembled improperly and at least one relay connection was incorrect. Their method of attaching the relays to the plastic fuse block was less than impressive. I'd ring it out prior to installing just to make sure it all works as needed.

Good advice Jim. I already caught a mis-wired main harness plug like several others. I called RF about it and the response was "oh yeah, here's the part number for the de-pinning tool you'll need". Wasn't real impressed.

[PNWTim]

I have a Coupe on order and have also been looking at wiring options. The easy button is to do as others have recommended and modify the RF harness to suite, but that makes me cringe a bit given some of the threads on RF quality control escapes recently. Painless looks like a quality option as well, but again, another universal product. I'd be interested to hear any first-hand experiences with Infinity Box. So far, my experience has been soured by pushy sales tactics. I can get past that if the product is solid. Anyone have any input to offer. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to discuss a supporting vendor in the public forum.

Dave

The only first hand experience I have is with American Autowire. Their products are first rate, I already have both their crimpers and completely rewired my '69 with a kit from them but they are proud of their offerings. I am going to mull this over for the next week or so while I finish drilling the cockpit.

As far as Infinity goes, I looked at them a few months ago and while their offering appears to be 1st rate, I think you will be $3K into their products before you are finished.

[slarson]

I went with KwikWire, wanted extra circuits built in for the extras like heated seat, for poppers, power windows etc. Just getting into the details of the actual wiring but so far happy with my decision. The harness definitely high quality.

[bobl]

I rewired a MK1 that had a Mustang donor harness. I used a painless universal harness. The leads were all long enough to run wherever needed and clearly labeled. It was also about half the price of the RF harness. you can get them with various number of circuits to meet your needs. That's what I'll use for any future builds.

Bob

[JimStone]

With all the mods I've made (all custom switches, gauges, and other electronic add-ons) I feel like it's constant mental gymnastics with the RF harness. I've mod'ed it so much it's pretty much unrecognizable. I've made sketches and notes, but I'm pretty worried if I need to get back into it down the line.

Then again, I suck at electrics.

I'm too far along to go back, but I'd probably use a Can-bus type system if I build another

[weendoggy]

I've used Painless on five builds and would do the same again. I like to put my "splices" or connections/relays where I want, and I can use the connectors I want to use. Each has their preference and that's mine. I've never run short of how I want the harness to go and like the "A-to-B" circuit. jmo

[CDXXVII]

You already have the harness why waste the money.

I don’t see the point of moving the fuse box. If you build your car correctly you wont be blowing fuses.

I don’t see what the Coyote has to do with it. Maybe the fuel pump.

Stop over thinking it. If you are comfortable starting from scratch then you have the ability to make the needed mods to the RF harness.

The more recent harness is improved over the earlier models but still not perfect.

I made a bunch of changes to mine and fixed what I did not like. 10 years and I think I just replaced one of the crappy relays.

Completely rewired everything related to the dash

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124834&d=1585198683

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124835&d=1585198767

[GoDadGo]

I really like starting with a Painless universal harness. But since the kit comes with the RF harness, I just take it apart like paul does and move things where they work best.
Mike

Ditto; I took the kit apart so that I could move the fuse block out of the way to clean up the foot box and to better protect it from the elements.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=977&attachmentid=51762

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=977&attachmentid=51773

My only issue is I had to flip the blinkers since I moved the harness to the opposite side of the car.

[PNWTim]

You already have the harness why waste the money.

I don’t see the point of moving the fuse box. If you build your car correctly you wont be blowing fuses.

I don’t see what the Coyote has to do with it. Maybe the fuel pump.

Stop over thinking it. If you are comfortable starting from scratch then you have the ability to make the needed mods to the RF harness.

The more recent harness is improved over the earlier models but still not perfect.

I made a bunch of changes to mine and fixed what I did not like. 10 years and I think I just replaced one of the crappy relays.

Completely rewired everything related to the dash

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124834&d=1585198683

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124835&d=1585198767

Thanks for the pictures and feedback. I mentioned the Coyote because it comes with another massive harness which frankly is awkward and needs reworking as well. I suppose from where I sit I am gauging the value of reworking rather than replacing. I am just looking for feedback from all participants which helps me make an informed decision.

[PNWTim]

To close the loop on this I am going to modify the existing harness as needed and continue on. I appreciate all the feedback and comments.

[DesertSn8ke]

It seems you've made your choice here, but just to add my two cents... I also significantly modded the RF harness. Lets be honest, it does not fit in the coupe. The front harness in particular, needed significant extensions for me. Knowing what I know now, and what I learned modding the RF one, I would not use it again.I really like the looks of the wiring boards like this one from Leash Electronics (https://www.leashelectronics.com/products/pro-street-wiring-board). Still pretty cost effective, use the connectors you want, size wires appropriately, etc... and it looks very straight forward to install/use/wire. Use your own connectors etc... I used most of the existing RF connectors where it made sense, but everything I added was solid pin Deutsch Connectors. I love those things.

@CDXXVII that dash wiring is a thing of beauty! Mine is all connected and tested for go-kart mode currently, but not tidied up completely, as the dash still all needs to come out and come apart for coating. I hope I can make mine look half that good! Looks like you changed out all the RF fittings for Deutsch Connectors. What did you use to connect the zip ties to the back of the dash? Just stick on zip tie mounts?

[ggunter]

CDXXVII, ditto on your dash. A real thing of beauty. I would call that military wiring. I used to work on high end boats and would be really impressed by boat builders who did military wiring. Which means, not a wire out of place, everything terminated with no extra wire hanging out and, secured every six inches. And.... then there would be the boats that looked like spaghetti bowls and nightmares to work on.