I recently purchased a 2018 Raptor. I previously had a 2013, and after selling it a little over two years ago, I couldn't stand it any longer and came back into the fold.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, I wanted to do something a little different with the wiring on this truck; not to mention I can be fickle and end up changing things out a lot. So, I decided I would wire plugs into the Upfitters.
I originally researched Deutsch connectors, since most lights come with these, and I like standardization. However, it seems the good crimpers are ridiculously expensive. Therefore, I decided just to go with Weatherpack.
Hopped on Amazon, got the "best" crimper for under $20 based on ratings and a 10-pack of single-pin Weatherpacks for ~$10.
Originally, I had planned on just crimping the connectors directly on the upfitters. I tried one on switch 6 and it wouldn't hold the crimp worth a damn. Looked up the connector, it's for down to 20ga wire. According to a post I found on here, the Upfitter wires are 20-24ga and I believe it. I can't believe Ford is okay with using this tiny wire for the rated current, but hey...it's on them if it burns to the ground. (Note: The connectors I got will just barely hold on to the wire size used on switch 1 [and presumably 2]).
I then decided I would use some leftover scraps from some of my other wiring projects to make pigtails for the connectors, then butt-crimp those onto the Upfitter wires. I didn't like this plan, because I thought it would be janky. However, after doing it, I'm actually pretty happy with the results. The pigtails gave me some extra breathing room.
So now, as I get lights in and ready to install, I'll just install the female end onto whatever harness comes with the lights, and I'll be good to go! Same with if I want to run anything through the cab, all I have to do is put a female connector on the pass-through wire, and I'm off to the races.
I know I'm not so savant for thinking to do this, and I'm sure many have before me. But I'm just happy to now be able to swap lights around without always having to get up there and cut wires, crimp wires, etc.
Anyway, just figured I would post up a "brilliant" plan I came up with for wiring up the upcoming lighting on my truck.
Up first is a couple of old 4.5" Light Cannons on the hood. Mounts will be here tomorrow and I'm stoked. Then in another couple months I'll probably get some Baja lights for the front bumper.
P.S. I was playing around with different heat-shrinks trying to find the tightest fit on the tiny gauge Upfitter wires. I also got distracted a couple times and forgot to slip heatshrink on, so just ended up having to tape them up. So don't judge me too harshly.
Also, the previous owner had used switches 1, 5, and 6 so they were already a little shorter to begin with. Maybe on my next truck I can try and make it look even cleaner and more professional lol.
In the spirit of continuous improvement, I wanted to do something a little different with the wiring on this truck; not to mention I can be fickle and end up changing things out a lot. So, I decided I would wire plugs into the Upfitters.
I originally researched Deutsch connectors, since most lights come with these, and I like standardization. However, it seems the good crimpers are ridiculously expensive. Therefore, I decided just to go with Weatherpack.
Hopped on Amazon, got the "best" crimper for under $20 based on ratings and a 10-pack of single-pin Weatherpacks for ~$10.
Originally, I had planned on just crimping the connectors directly on the upfitters. I tried one on switch 6 and it wouldn't hold the crimp worth a damn. Looked up the connector, it's for down to 20ga wire. According to a post I found on here, the Upfitter wires are 20-24ga and I believe it. I can't believe Ford is okay with using this tiny wire for the rated current, but hey...it's on them if it burns to the ground. (Note: The connectors I got will just barely hold on to the wire size used on switch 1 [and presumably 2]).
I then decided I would use some leftover scraps from some of my other wiring projects to make pigtails for the connectors, then butt-crimp those onto the Upfitter wires. I didn't like this plan, because I thought it would be janky. However, after doing it, I'm actually pretty happy with the results. The pigtails gave me some extra breathing room.
So now, as I get lights in and ready to install, I'll just install the female end onto whatever harness comes with the lights, and I'll be good to go! Same with if I want to run anything through the cab, all I have to do is put a female connector on the pass-through wire, and I'm off to the races.
I know I'm not so savant for thinking to do this, and I'm sure many have before me. But I'm just happy to now be able to swap lights around without always having to get up there and cut wires, crimp wires, etc.
Anyway, just figured I would post up a "brilliant" plan I came up with for wiring up the upcoming lighting on my truck.
Up first is a couple of old 4.5" Light Cannons on the hood. Mounts will be here tomorrow and I'm stoked. Then in another couple months I'll probably get some Baja lights for the front bumper.
P.S. I was playing around with different heat-shrinks trying to find the tightest fit on the tiny gauge Upfitter wires. I also got distracted a couple times and forgot to slip heatshrink on, so just ended up having to tape them up. So don't judge me too harshly.
Also, the previous owner had used switches 1, 5, and 6 so they were already a little shorter to begin with. Maybe on my next truck I can try and make it look even cleaner and more professional lol.
