VCCA Home Forums Thread Like Summary - Wiring harness

Is it worth trying to make my own wiring harness for a 54 BelAir? Where’s the best place to buy a complete wiring harness?

I used RI Wire for my 51 Coupe. High quality, great fit and service. Doesn't pay to scrimp on wiring as it can bite you in the rear later.
Diagrams included and all harnesses had connectors installed.

They have cloth covered over vinyl wire with all the correct markings.

The online YNZ catalog shows a vinyl harness for late 1953 and 1954.

I don't know if YNZ makes a modern, non cloth covered, harness. I guess give them a call. I mention that because my 53 has a modern harness from the factory so I assume your 54 will as well. FWIW I too used YNZ when I replaced the harness on my 38. I also bought their accessory horn harness. Both were well made.

I used a YnZ harness in my 48 also. I was afraid of the job, but once I got started it went pretty fast. I suggest removing the front seat at least and throwing blankets down to get under the dash. Only help I needed was pulling the harness through the firewall to get started.

I used YNZ reproduction harnesses in my ‘37 coupe. They were very well made and clearly labeled for easy installation. I have heard good things about harnesses from Rhode Island Wiring.

While I agree that you can build your own functional harness it will never fit and look like a good reproduction harness. If you want to make your own reproduction harness be ready to spend a lot of time doing research to determine all the different terminals and wiring you need to order. And the cost for all the different items will surprise you. Typically there are minimum order quantities for those items. Then you will spend a lot of time building the harness.

YNZ and Rhode Island Wiring are mentioned often as quality harnesses. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one.

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/475744/who-makes-the-best-wiring-harnesses.html

Note the post by Chistech where he describes the differences in the two.