PAINLESS WIRING...Not So Painless After All.........

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MadMonte

Greasemonkey
Apr 18, 2015
102
43
28
York, Pa
So after multiple calls to various vendors and after looking around the web it still appears that Painless are the best aftermarket wiring solution when re-doing a whole car. However for some reason, they dont make anything for a G-Body even though these cars are widely used in the racing industry and are obviously growing in popularity. So, this brings me to my question, is anyone on here running a painless performance harness with a factory steering column?! I am removing all wiring EXCEPT wipers, turn signals, hazards, ignition switch and engine wiring that consists of ignition and starting circuits. Any info would be great because this is really becoming frustrating... Thanks!
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
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Painful Products S-U-C-K!!!!!!!!!!!! I would suggest American Autowire as a substitute.
The wiring in these cars is pretty basic GM, except for the 'puter harness. There are a few of us "sparkies" on here. What's the problem? Do you have an FSM? If not get one, or consult the wiring diagrams on maliburacing.
 
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xylorex

Master Mechanic
Aug 2, 2018
304
393
63
New Orleans, LA
What sucks about them? I do think they're a little overpriced.

I haven't ever used one of their fuse panels but I have a fan controller and a torque converter lockup kit. They seemed like high quality products to me.

I'll be ordering a wire harness/fuse panel for my 78 mc soon, glad this topic came up.
 
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melloelky

Comic Book Super Hero
Oct 22, 2017
4,136
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mass
it's been years since i wired my car and the one thing that turned me off to painless was the fact that they didn't print the wires useage all along said wire.it had a simple tag @the end stating it's purpose.in the past i've used "it's a snap" and "ez wiring".both with GM columns and headlight swtiches.I'm no wire nut but i was able to give it a go.with help of course.
 
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
1,167
2,638
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West Virginia
Well I'm going to be disagreeable...……….again I suppose.

I have a Painless kit that came with the Regal that I didn't use on the Malibu. I have American Autowire in my '57 F100. They are about the same as far as quality goes. They are both expensive. Both kits had the wire use printed all along the wiring.

IMG_4555.jpg
 
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Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
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Wellston, OK
Why not just eliminate the stuff you don't need from the OE harness? It's already laid out for the car, and is the correct length for OE installed components.
 
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500/600

Royal Smart Person
Nov 17, 2018
1,167
2,638
113
West Virginia
Why not just eliminate the stuff you don't need from the OE harness? It's already laid out for the car, and is the correct length for OE installed components.

I agree totally. I stopped short of saying that both were better than the '57 Ford harness, but not the '80 Malibu. But my Malibu wasn't at all hacked up either.
 
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fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
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Can't say I disagree with keeping the factory Packard wire... The question posed was about aftermarket stuff. I've done both, and preferred the AA over PP, that's all. There's a reason why I have a big, black (shut yo mouf) bag of GM wire in the shop.
 
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Ribbedroof

Comic Book Super Hero
Supporting Member
Jan 4, 2009
4,861
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Wellston, OK
The question posed was about aftermarket stuff. I've done both, and preferred the AA over PP, that's all

I totally get that, and wasn't trying to hijack...it's just that it seems so many people have watched/read so much sponsored content that they don't realize the answer is already right in front of them.

You could use an aftermarket harness, or a fella could spend that money somewhere it would actually make a difference....,IMO.

We used to call it Hotoddin'...making things work without buying the trick part of the week.
 
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