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Triumph TR6 - Wire Harness

I know this is a repeated question and a few threads have been made but here it goes anyway. Based on your opinion, would you prefer a:
1)Painless Kit
2)A Custom Harness
3)Replacement harness from another TR6?
Marcello
Marcello

I sent my cable harness to Rhode Island Wiring and they put a new loom on it. It cost less than a new one. I had to remove the old cotton covering before and this saved me some money.

http://www.riwire.com/

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A, Montreal
Don Elliott

That sounds dandy,
Assuming the harness I pull out is the original or proper (not sure what the PO did)

Don, not that I refuse to send things to Rhode Island way but do you know anyone who does this more local to us?

Marcello
Marcello

Marcello, Don is right on! Rhode island wiring now makes old european looms and in their new catalogue there is one for a Triumph TR6 listed, I have bought many fittings and period wiring terminals over the past few years and they seem great people to deal with, Clive
Clive P

Thanks I just dropped them a email asking them to provide a quote,

BTW,
Are they D Masters approved?
Marcello

Would that make my heater blower work without blowing a fuse every time? And could I actually figure out why there are loose wires not connected to anything?

In reality, how hard is it to replace the wiring harness in a TR6? I worked on my rear lights and had to do a bit of re-wiring, which didn't seem to difficult to me. But there is a lot of junk under the dash, hidden away fortunately, that isn't right.


John
JL Bryan

Like John I have the exact same problem and the exact same question???

I've heard the front harness is about 40 hours of work, is that a good estimate?

Sylvain
S Demers

Marcello, Dan Masters sells a fantastic wiring harness for TR6"s and I'm sure it competes in price with all the rest, and it will have alot more capacity for add ons.
Chris
Christopher Trace

Thanks Chris,
I will drop him a call. Little behind the eight ball if I want some summer driving. But I want it done, one of those things I bet we all want done sooner or latter and I would love to just get it over with. Kind of like a prostate exam.
Marcello

Didn't Dan Masters sell a more modern harness kit with instructions at one time? Looked to me to be a bit better thought out than the original Triumph design.

Nate
Nate Steiner

Chris- I can't decipher your address. My email program doesn't reconize it if you use the typical
catrace @
b2b2c . ca

don
DON KELLY

Yes Dan Masters sells a kit, one of the best I have ever seen, quality quality quality, so I bought one, includes a 20 or so page installation guide.

highly recommended, (no benefit to me for this recommendation)
kj

Mr Kelly
Why are you not piping up to the fact you are in the middle of installing a Dan wiring harness.
Marcello, not sure you would get Dan to say "YA buy it" since there are competition to him. Dans harness comes complete with all new fuse block and virtually everything is "behind" a relay.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Don, that's the point. It keeps the robots that troll the web looking for email addresses from grabbing mine and sending me a bunch of garbage.
Chris
Christopher Trace

So How the H*** do I send you a email?
don
DON KELLY

Marcello - no question in my mind - I would go for a new one. It is possible to get far better than the old Lucas spec item which is generally the cause of so many electrical issues.

There is a retired guy here who hand makes them to order. He supplies Jaguar, Austin, Morris, MG, Rover, Triumph etc. the world over. All wires are correctly color coded to the specific year. All fittings are genuine (or in a few cases where they are NLA, a very good repro) ALL CONNECTIONS ARE SOLDERED.
You can order custom items to be included. I had a grounding wire from the coil bound in for a security system (it is not visible). Also uprated fuel pump and headlamp feeds and had an additional feed for an audio amp put in.

He has a cloth binding machine for those who have cloth coverings and want a concourse replacement - mine was taped. I have not had a single problem with it in 8 years.

If you are interested in more info, drop me a line. You never know, the USD is about 75% of the AUD at the moment which could make it worthwhile.

R
Roger H

Roger,
All that sounds dandy. Might be a good idea. since I emailed the folks at Rhode Island plus left them tel message and no return. I guess they do not want my business.

As for the USD exchange it won't concern me since I am Canadian, I bet our dollar is compatible..(?)
Marcello

Hi Folks

I e-mailed RI Wire, but no response and so I resorted to the old fashioned telephone. I spoke to their technical person (nice lady), and she told me that they do not manufacture/stock TR6 wiring harness's as they (the TR6 model) are not old enough. Perhaps they should think again. However, she did inform me that RI Wire can provide individual coloured wire and the lucas connectors as required.

Les
lw gilholme

Don,
replace the word "at" with @ and the word "dot" with .
Chris
Christopher Trace

I'm confused,......so how did Don and Clive get results? Maybe they decided to cancel the TR6 line.
Marcello

Hi Marcello
I stand corrected RI do not list a loom for a TR6, The reason I thought they did was the new catalogue has a bunch of TRs so I naturally thought the 6 would be amongst them, I find them very helpful when trying to find period terminals and old spec wires especially european spec although they tend to be more 30s 40s US cars The reason Don had good result was that he has a TR3 and the newest harness they list is a TR4, sorry if I misled you Clive
Clive P

Clive,
No sweat all good intentions amongst the brotherhood.....i will plow forward, most likey with a Master's version.
Marcello

Chris- I did that from the beginning and outlook said???? It didn't recognize the address type
don
DON KELLY

I recently installed an advance-autowire harness in my car. I was impressed with the quality of the harness, the wire is one size larger and even has a different feel to it. Excellent quality with good installation instructions. Dan was avaliable for technical support by phone or email. I went to try to help a poor fellow who was struggling with a harness supplied by a major parts supplier. He was having a bad time with no schematics or directions and little support. I as well strongly suggest you purchase a bullet crimper such as the crimper avaliable at www.britishwiring.com, a quality crimper for uninsulated terminals and even a U barrell crimper for factory style crimps. You will as well find this site of interest.

www.http://tr6.danielsonfamily.org/Dans%20Wiring%20Harness.htm

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me.

Dave
David B

Sorry, try this;

http://tr6.danielsonfamily.org/Dans%20Wiring%20Harness.htm

dave
David B

Sorry, I cannot seem to get the link to work. Search "Dan Masters Wiring Installation" on Google and you will find this site.

Dave
David B

David,
Much thanks
Marcello

News from RIWIRE, they sent me an e-mail confirming that the TR6 harness "is a bit too new for them to duplicate". However, they did provide other potential sources.

Welsh Jaguar Enterprises Inc
Steubenville OH
1 800 875 5247

SNG Barratt USA
Manchester NH

1 603 622 1050
www.sngbarratt.com

Les
lw gilholme

Hi All

Just received an e-mail from SNG Barratt, while they are a Jaguar specialist they can supply Lucas connetcors/wire etc. Just send them your requirements at sales.usa@sngbarratt.com

Dan Masters may well be the easier option if your harness need a lot of work.

Les
lw gilholme

I am Dan Masters bound.......
Marcello

Hi Marcello I believe your also from the Hammer I just installed an exact duplicate main harness from England I got it from Fred at British Motorsports. He has recently moved to our neck of the woods fron Mississauga It was idenical to mw old one includong ground terminals wire colours etc It even had the grommet for the firewall installed. I ordered a late 1972 harness but they make them to order for each model year with or without overdrive. I like the originalinty factor as it looks totally original under the hood. the only difference to the oringinal was the bulbs for hte small guages now use a push in bulb. I have also used Fred for my complete restoration He owns Three TR6's and a TR5 (lucky dog!) He is very knowlegable and loves to talk 6's He also sells other British car parts but I suspect his hearts in the TR's! His local number is 905-627-9995 Leave a message He'll call back Regards John
John O'Meara

Recently ordered a TR6 wire harness from Masters. When it arrives, will publish comments on quality , ease or difficulty of installation and tech support during process.
Todd

Marcello and Todd

http://static.flickr.com/51/141608782_c964890682_m.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/45/141608783_3f0cf6e85b_m.jpg
don
DON KELLY

Thank you Mr. Kelly-very helpful. The first photograph looks very neat and clean. Much better than the existing in my 69TR. The second photograph looks very scary.

Beginners questions:
1. How are you able to determine which new wires goes where in the auto? I have many dead end wires in my auto that are wrapped in sticky black tape.

2. The wiring in my house need 3 wires to make something operate. Are 3 wires required to make something in an auto operate?

Thanks for your help !!

Todd
Todd

Todd- First off,my dad was Mr. Kelly. The first thing you get to do is rip out all the old harness. It's great fun. My suggestion is keep it and put it in a box . I have used it a couple of time since for reference and testing.
Second, Dan gives you a great diagram and he will add wires for other electrical components too. I have an electric fuel pump.fan,GM style light switch , dip switch on the column,Delco alt,
don moved my ign. switch to the dash and have a series of rocker switches were the radio goes. ( thou all not finished yet). Thirdly, British wiring is not like your house ,it is harder. Naw, not really . You can do it!
DON KELLY

Todd
Automotive wiring is usually colour coded and shows the starting point and ending point of a circuit in a schematic drawing.

Automobile wiring is DC not AC. DC wiring has only 2 wires to a circuit. +(positive) and -(negative). + also gets referred to as Bat.( battery) and - also gets referred to as ground (gnd.)

From the Guru of auto wiring (Dan Masters) I give you a link to his TR6 wiring schematics. http://www.advanceautowire.com/tr2506.pdf
This will show you colour and start and end point for every circuit in your 6....schematics are year specific.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Todd, You can find on Dan's site www.advanceautowire.com the instruction manual for the harness which you have ordered. If you print it up you can have a look in order to prepare for the installation. It includes the wiring schematic of the new harness which may vary slightly from the origional which Rick refers to. It is really not terribly difficult.
Dave
David B

Thanks everyone, I have purchased every tool and gizmo, part and book mentioned on the advancewire site. The wire harness itself should arrive in the next ten days, I am hoping. I am trying to get any grasp I am can on how to install the new wires. I have no auto wire experience at all. In my 69TR there are several small boxes with no wires attached. All over the auto I see wires hanging and connected to nothing. I have printed out Mr Master's wire diagram and looked inside my auto. A bit overwhelming.

I am hoping someone will give me a starting point.
Todd

Well,
I have a lot to go with. Thanks John (Hammer??...would that be Hamilton?..nope I'm not from there) I will also wait to hear from Todd and his harness install feed back.
Marcello

Thank you Don Kelly: Have you any other photographs that I might use as guidance to begin installation of the new wires when they arrive? Also, can you suggest a book I might purchase that shows photographs and names the different electric components in the auto?

For example- what does a horn relay or a flasher relay look like? and where are they located in the auto? At present there are no wires in my steering column and my horn and turn signals do not function. I am thinking I need to connect the new wires onto the relays and then bring them into the column.

What is a relay?

Thank you in advance.

T
Todd

Todd- Thats the beautty of Dan's panel .All those blasted relays that are a constant pain can be ripped out and is included with the panel. Here'es a thought ,move the coil over to the old relay area and keep it away from the engine heat.. Todd are you in P. Rico? There is an old member there ,. Will try to remember his name. If you are new to cars he can probably help out.
Don
DON KELLY

Don
PR USA....so not sure where in the US PR is.

Todd, you might want to befriend a fellow enthusiast. Look for a car club near you. Get some one to get you going in the correct direction.
I do not think it is as bad as you might envision. Dan does a very good job of explaining things. His kit is complete and does away with all the old wiring and relays. Do not throw anything out it has value to us OE guys.

I would think your starting point would be to rip out the old harness. I strongly suggest you remove the dash as it will be a lot easier to install the new harness with the dash out of the way. This will give you the opportunity to clean up all old connections on gauges and bulbs. Also go out and buy a tube of dielectric grease. Apply this to all connections just before assembly.
Above all, have fun. I guarantee you will find this easier than you currently think!


OH YA, to answer your question.

A Relay is an electronics device that regulates another: an electronic or electromechanical switching device, typically operated by a low voltage, that controls a higher-voltage circuit and turns it on or off. That is the technical. Simply a relay is a piece of electronic stuff that uses low current, say .25 Amp to control a much higher current device say 30 to 70 Amps (power). " Not only does the relay deliver more power (amps) to the load than could be efficiently achieved with a dash or column switch and its associated wiring but the dash switch and wires can be smaller, lower cost and have longer life owing to the minimal heating and arcing that results from switching, carrying and interrupting only .25 Amp. "

Rick C
Rick Crawford

I think he means Puerto Rico,(US Terr.)

http://ca.geocities.com/trchas6/IMAGES/ANGEL/angel.jpg

This is the members picture sit with a pic and name of the fellow Puerto Rican (If indeed that is where you are from)
don
DON KELLY

Thank you Don Kelly and others ! Yes indeed, I live in the US commonwealth of Puerto Rico. I have been told there are rumors of two TR6s on the island. So it looks like there are two! I have not seen Angel's TR on the road. He has probably not seen mine either since mine is not yet street legal and I only sneak a few trips to a very near home beach restaurant on Sunday's for lunch.

Yes, I have had the seats out to install the required seat belt assemblies. I used the empty space to look under the dashboard to perhaps diagnose my lack of exterior lighting and horn. The nightmare scene underneath led to internet research wiring and that led me eventually to Mr. Masters. It will be a worthwhile, enjoyably frustrating challenge I am sure.

I had never heard of trailing arms before this past January. I built the bushing extraction tool and replaced all 4 rubber bushings last month with some local mechanico help.

There is an general auto club here with several old Brit cars as members. I'm really on my own when it comes to the TR6. A buddy has a restored MGA and that helps some.

again, thanks to everyone,

T
Todd

Todd- Try a_traverso@hotmail.com to get in touch w/ him.
don
DON KELLY

Sorry Don and Todd. My mistake.
Good luck Todd. Remeber this BBS is a help line.
Angel has not been on the BBS for some time.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Hey folks,
I think we just found our new location for the next winter TR6 meet. Who is up for Puerto Rico?

Todd, I would love to know the history of how those limited TR6s got to PR.
Marcello

Marcello, My kinfolk (Pellets & Frasers)are from Toronto and Sudbury. I married a Brit from northern England- Horsforth/Leeds. We both took early retirement here in 1995. She's a financial analyst(bean counter) and I'm a still pretty active forensic architect.

Winter TR6 meet here on our enchanted island sounds like a real winner to me. Great weather, drop dead beautiful women (3 Miss Universes as proof) superb food, friendly folks, warm surf, fantastic twisty mountain roads for driving.

Update on the Mr. Dan Master wire harness I ordered for my auto. A parts supplier for Mr. Masters fell on his face and my harness has been delayed. Mr. Master has kept me updated thru the process and has given me some good preperation ideas to help with the installation. It will be a challenge I am sure but there are lots of kind folks on the internet with advice and help.

There were several large US military bases on the island. I believe the GIs brought autos with them and then sold them here on the island when they shipped out or rotated home. A friend has a 1953 Hillman Minx. Another has an early MGA. Someone told me there are between 25 and 40 total Brit autos on island. I saw an older, rotting but somewhat running Bentley the other day. I have seen two early 1960's Jaguar sedans fairly often.

regards,

T
Todd

Todd,
Thanks for car history (origin is a personal hobby of mine)

The Island sounds like a dream. I think my search for a 6 month retirement locale is done.

If ever in the Toronto area give us a ring.

PS. What the heck is a "Forensic Architect"?
Marcello

Marcello- My specialty is design of extreme high wind building exteriors for pharmaceutical manufacturing buildings; particularly clean rooms and sterile rooms. When the building envelop is compromised, I'm the guy they bring in to find out why, where, who, what to do, how much will it cost $$ and who to get the lawyers going after.

I've got some really interesting testing devices. With one of them, I am able to in-the-field simulate and test for hurricane winds in excess of 240 mph. My wife calls my tools my "Boys Toys".
Todd

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2006 and 14/05/2006

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