Hello everyone. My question is for those who have re-wired or replaced their underdash wiring harness. Mines is a mess and im looking to replace it. The car is a 68 standard with original 302. I do plan on adding AC, power windows, power locks, stereo system. Im leaning towards a refurbished OEM harness. Im torn between trying myself or having a shop do it. Car is kinda in pieces so is like to try myself. My question is, for those that have replaced the harness
what harness did you use
On a difficulty scale what would you rate it
Any install advice for a first timer
I do have the wiring scematics and feel fairly comfortable and patient to do the job. I guess im just seeking insight from those who has done this before. Thank you for your time.
It is made by Vic Yarberry at Cougars Unlimited. I didn’t know they were reproduced, but his work is always of high quality. I’d go for it, although you might check the price elsewhere. This will go in with minimal difficulty with the advantage of being able to use all of the Mercury documentation.
My original ‘67 harness was “refurbished” and tested by a local vendor.
Was sorely disappointed by their quality and attention to detail.
Ended up spending another +20 hours dissassembling, inspecting, replacing wires, cleaning connector contacts and wire terminals, reassembling, testing, etc.
I did do a few mods to accommodate upgrades but I’d have had to do that no matter what I started with.
So, if I had it to do over again, that new harness would be calling my name.
Oh, and for the best part, be prepared to wrestle the annoconda while contorting your body in ways not humanly possible…
Vic (Cougars Unlimited) does not reproduce any under dash wiring harnesses to my knowledge. The link is to the under hood harness, which he does repro. I did get one of these (68 xr7 AC) from Vic along with various other accouterments. I think we can all vouch for Vic.
For under dash harness you’re looking at a good/restored original or custom build. midlifeharness.com can make your original harness like new. He’ll get mine next time I’m in AZ.
Power window and lock wiring will anyway be custom on a 68. There is no provision in a factory harness for this.
I rewired my 68 XR7 a few years ago. Had Midlife do my harness and install pretty much “plug and play”. On a difficulty scale I’d rate as I’d rate mid level -lots of tight spots. Follow the directions and use factory service manual. Way easier than building a harness or using a universal kit. Keep in mind the Cougar harnesses are both year and model specific. I used some of Vic’s Cougar Unlimited parts as well and had good service. If he’s reproducing the main under dash harness that would be worth taking a hard look at.
Have one of the recommended about check/repair and referb your original or find a quality original for replacement. No aftermarket harness is going to work plug and play with a cougar at least as far as I know.
For all the stuff you want to add on build your own additional harness with additional fuse panel with power, grounds key on power etc. Do not cut and add on to the original.
