Created Custom Wiring Harness for Upfitter Switches

[JohnyPython]

I like it. I ran the upfitter a to a molex then from molex to a deutsch for each upfitter. Made a harness that runs down to the front bumper. 1 pair of cubes for upfitter 1,2 and 3. Everything is wrapped in Tessa tape with no exposed wires as pictured.”wasn’t done”

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Nice job.

 

[txgunsntrucks]

After reading several sources, it appears you are correct. My mind is blown. I will indeed be crimping to the upfitter wires.

yeah not buying it. Aftermarket speaker connections get soldered all the time. And you can't tell me they are not subject to TONS of vibration.

never heard of one coming apart


That is what I love about the internet. Something could be a one in a million, but when that one guy gets on the internet all of the sudden it's a widespread issue.


Want to up your internet IQ? Learn to quickly determine what is bs and what is good info, because there is a lot of both on many subjects out there.

 

[wheelman55]

The story goes something like this. The solder joint makes the wire stiff. The abrupt transition from stiff wire to flexible wire creates a “hinge”. The hinge point is susceptible to failure due to vibration.

 

[txgunsntrucks]

The story goes something like this. The solder joint makes the wire stiff. The abrupt transition from stiff wire to flexible wire creates a “hinge”. The hinge point is susceptible to failure due to vibration.

great story. but that's all it is.

solder it, tape it off nicely, secure said wires so they don't bounce around.


show me a failure after all that was done properly

 

[txgunsntrucks]

I enjoy this stuff, so I thought about building a few and selling them. But I'm unsure if the market would support it. I've got $60 just in connectors on this. Add the consumables like butt splices, ring terminals, tech flex, wire extension for ground strap, electrical tape, and labels and materials come to $65 pretty fast. And then, geez, I spend a couple hours obsessing over these. $99 would pretty much be the lowest price I could see selling them for, and that feels expensive for what you get, and doesn't even value my time greatly. Wonder if I could get the connector cost down...?

let me answer that.

no, the market would not support it. despite the 5 guys on here that might spend the money on something totally unnecessary.

I just wired my fog lights and your set up would have made it harder, not easier, for me.


anyhow. nice attention to detail, there's some good ingenuity going on there despite me thinking it is 100% not necessary. good for you.


If it applied to EVERY F150 made, then yeah you might have the start of a little business.

 

[wheelman55]

great story. but that's all it is.

solder it, tape it off nicely, secure said wires so they don't bounce around.


show me a failure after all that was done properly

My electronics wizard friend, I’ll call him Dave, DOES solder his automotive wires. Dave says that if you solder them correctly that they will never fail.

The Raptor aux/pass through wires are super small gauge. Dave had me add 12” of 12 gauge to each of those tiny wires, then crimp Deutsch connectors to the other ends.

Dave’s technique:

1. Strip the ends of both wires
   
2. Slip waterproof shrink tube on the thinner wire
   
3. With the wires laid out like two straws next to each other, twist the ends together, then solder
4. Run the heavier wire back on itself so it makes a gentle bend. This takes out direct stress on the solder joint
5. Push the shrink tube up over the solder joint. Add heat to the shrink over the solder joint
6. Dress with loom or whatever makes you happy
7. Use tape or zip ties to secure the finished joint to either a wire loom or a hard point

 

[txgunsntrucks]

My electronics wizard friend, I’ll call him Dave, DOES solder his automotive wires. Dave says that if you solder them correctly that they will never fail.

The Raptor aux/pass through wires are super small gauge. Dave had me add 12” of 12 gauge to each of those tiny wires, then crimp Deutsch connectors to the other ends.

Dave’s technique:

1. Strip the ends of both wires
   
2. Slip waterproof shrink tube on the thinner wire
   
3. With the wires laid out like two straws next to each other, twist the ends together, then solder
4. Run the heavier wire back on itself so it makes a gentle bend. This takes out direct stress on the solder joint
5. Push the shrink tube up over the solder joint. Add heat to the shrink over the solder joint
6. Dress with loom or whatever makes you happy
7. Use tape or zip ties to secure the finished joint to either a wire loom or a hard point

makes sense to me

 

[sixshooter_45]

I like this method.

 

[isis]

yeah not buying it. Aftermarket speaker connections get soldered all the time. And you can't tell me they are not subject to TONS of vibration.

never heard of one coming apart


That is what I love about the internet. Something could be a one in a million, but when that one guy gets on the internet all of the sudden it's a widespread issue.


Want to up your internet IQ? Learn to quickly determine what is bs and what is good info, because there is a lot of both on many subjects out there.

There’s a reason not one wire on your truck has a solder joint from the factory. Like it or not, it’s true. It’s not an internet rumor, it’s automotive engineering.

That said, what the guy posted above about strain relieving the wires if you do it should get you 99% free of issues.

 

[DINOZR]

yeah not buying it. Aftermarket speaker connections get soldered all the time. And you can't tell me they are not subject to TONS of vibration.

Want to up your internet IQ? Learn to quickly determine what is bs and what is good info, because there is a lot of both on many subjects out there.

I saw a new piece of information, checked it out with several external sources, and they all said the same thing. My internet IQ is just fine.