• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Is anyone other than me an automotive wiring nerd?


85_Ranger4x4

Wallows in rivers
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
33,989
Reaction score
21,887
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
@85_Ranger4x4 that seems like an elegant way to make that fan issue work. Is that a program you're using to generate diagrams? If it is, what is it? I've got very many hand drawn diagrams but it would be nice to have them stored electronically.
Nanocad, it is very similar to Autocad.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,549
Reaction score
15,130
Location
Jackson, NJ. And Manahawkin too.
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
14,589
Reaction score
6,004
Location
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
’97, '06
Make / Model
Pontiac, Dodge
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
2.2,5.7
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD

85_Ranger4x4

Wallows in rivers
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
33,989
Reaction score
21,887
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual

broncc

Well-Known Member
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
Messages
403
Reaction score
709
Location
MA, USA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
5"
Tire Size
31
My credo
Giving my truck more money than it deserves.
I'm not sure of any program that the hobby guy can get their hands on for making cable drawings. I think the closest you can get is to use Eagle. Eagle is meant for circuit boards, but you can just make each connector a custom "component" and stop before PCB layout...

Definitely don't look up shady ways of acquiring E3, Altium 24+, or Zuken

EDIT: RapidHarness looks really promising. I might have to try this out.
 

Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
17,106
Reaction score
20,073
Age
60
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Ive recently been doing some work in Qelectrotech. Haven't tried modeling cables or harnesses. But I think it could do it. Very powerful features and the learning curve isn't too horrible. Works on all platforms, I believe. I've mostly been using it on a USB thumb drive because it works from the drive (in Windows, at least) and doesn't have to be installed on a computer. So I can use it for projects at work where I can't install any software. Currently have a project to completely renovate and rewire 3 whole PLC controlled machines. It's making me look like an electrical engineer.

I've been doing some me mechanical drawings in FreeCad. That's been working fairly well. I haven't explored it for electrical drawings yet.
 
Last edited:

MaicoDoug

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Sep 13, 2020
Messages
654
Reaction score
555
Location
Texas
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Ranger FX4 LVL2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2 inches in the back, not enough in the front
Tire Size
32x11.5x15
National Instruments & Allen Bradley program by drawing, called "Graphical Programming". But that was in a prior life before I jumped back into Ford Rangers & TRS.

Where the word "JOG" means finding home. Instead of getting lost somewhere out past where the axis ends and my coffee cup is (was) parked.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
TRS Event Staff
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,712
Reaction score
2,418
Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I play around with Google Scetch-up. I'm by no means a CAD guy. I usually just whip something up with a ruler and colored pencils and give to my boss. He will whip out a drawing in a few minutes on Autocad.
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,531
Reaction score
1,551
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
I like doing the physical part of electrical work. Stripping and crimping connecters that kinda thing. Small projects are cool. Every time I do a larger project I seem to miss something that causes problems. Example: The complete harness replacement and 12v/CDI swap on my 78 Honda XL350. I think it was 3 times while building the harness I realized I needed to run another wire half the length of the bike.

I really need to get under the hood of the Ranger. All of 4.0 swap connections were twisted together and electrical taped. I didn't even do heat shrink. Been meaning to fix that for 10 years now. It just works so isn't a priority.
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,531
Reaction score
1,551
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
I've done lots of research and found at least 10 conflicting answers, so I'll ask here. What do you guys use for wiring on a winch? Mostly looking at 12k stuff since that's what I have, but am open to suggestions from anyone. I'd really like to use Anderson-style connectors and run something to the back to allow the winch to be used that way. I would probably also make/buy a set of jumper cable adapters.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
14,589
Reaction score
6,004
Location
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
’97, '06
Make / Model
Pontiac, Dodge
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
2.2,5.7
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I have Anderson connectors at the front of my truck. I have jumpers with Anderson at both ends. I also have jumper cables with regular clamps at one end and Anderson at the other. My winch is now permanent bolted to my 18' car hauler so need both jumpers to reach. I run jumper off the battery and Anderson's to reach. Its also handy for jumping other cars with no Anderson.
I used to have my winch portable between front receiver and back receiver...
 

SenorNoob

Well-Known Member
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
3,531
Reaction score
1,551
Location
Middle Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" Front + 4" Rear
Tire Size
245-70-R16
What gauge wire do you have run to the back? What size Anderson connectors? 175amp seems common. Is that really enough for a 12k winch?
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
14,589
Reaction score
6,004
Location
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
’97, '06
Make / Model
Pontiac, Dodge
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
2.2,5.7
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
The cables are copper jumper cables that I've modified. Not sure gauge, but the wire, excluding insulation, is the size of my little finger. They don't get warm in use...
I'll have to research the Anderson size, but they are about half a deck of cards in size. Also of note there are several different anderson ends that won't fit into each other. Pay attention to that if buying at different times. Colors don't seem to make a difference, but I was buying cheap stuff.
And the cheap ones disintegrated after a couple years use. So now I buy the not cheap...
 
Last edited:

holyford86

Some guy with a problem
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
2,321
Reaction score
987
Age
38
Location
Plattsburgh, NY
Vehicle Year
many
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
7
Tire Size
33x12.50R15
I like doing the physical part of electrical work. Stripping and crimping connecters that kinda thing. Small projects are cool. Every time I do a larger project I seem to miss something that causes problems. Example: The complete harness replacement and 12v/CDI swap on my 78 Honda XL350. I think it was 3 times while building the harness I realized I needed to run another wire half the length of the bike.

I really need to get under the hood of the Ranger. All of 4.0 swap connections were twisted together and electrical taped. I didn't even do heat shrink. Been meaning to fix that for 10 years now. It just works so isn't a priority.
Larger projects are hard if you're looking at it in it's entirety, I like to break it down into circuits or systems, it feels less daunting that way.

When I did my swap, I soldered and heat shrunk all of my connections, last year I went through and replaced that with weatherproof connectors so I can remove the harness. The catalyst for that was corrosion starting in the connections.

I have Anderson connectors at the front of my truck. I have jumpers with Anderson at both ends. I also have jumper cables with regular clamps at one end and Anderson at the other. My winch is now permanent bolted to my 18' car hauler so need both jumpers to reach. I run jumper off the battery and Anderson's to reach. Its also handy for jumping other cars with no Anderson.
I used to have my winch portable between front receiver and back receiver...
I have something similar, except I just have a very short Anderson/clamp set and an Anderson/Anderson extension cable so I can run a trailer winch with them too. An added benefit is charging batteries in the bed while driving, utilizing the short jumper cable ends alone.

What gauge wire do you have run to the back? What size Anderson connectors? 175amp seems common. Is that really enough for a 12k winch?
I've used 2 gauge for the rear connector, all of my connectors are the 175 amp variety. I just consulted the datasheet and the 175A rating is a constant current rating, the connectors can handle industry currents of up to 1,600A depending on wire size. Occasionally going over 300A for short periods of time shouldn't cause any appreciable damage as long as you're not disconnecting under that load.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,549
Reaction score
15,130
Location
Jackson, NJ. And Manahawkin too.
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
I would say the Anderson SB175 would be good for most standard winches and more then enough for jumper cables. The next step up, SB350, would be overkill. Overkill isn’t a bad idea when it comes to electrical.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Year


Kirby N.
2024 Truck of The Year!

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Vagabond Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Top