cmcdanl
Member
In my build thread we got to talking about different connectors, crimpers, and techniques and someone mentioned that we should make a thread here about it in order to help out others who are looking to wire a car them self. So I'll start it off. Feel free to add anything to this thread that you want. Links to connectors, wire, crimpers, tools etc... Maybe this can be a catch all thread.
A good source for all types of connectors and other things wiring is the website www.delcity.net
Weatherpack is a very good brand. They have all sorts of connectors and a lot of them are waterproof. Perfect for t buckets since a lot of our wiring is exposed to the elements. Here are a few items below that might make your wiring job a little easier.
Assembled pig tails:
Weather Pack Assembled Pigtails - 3-Way
These are pre assembled pig tails so there's no crimping involved and no assembly of the connector. These come in 1 wire, up to 6 wire. Another thing that will make these even easier is this....
Heat shrink and solder butt connectors:
Heat Shrink Solder Butt Connectors
With these, there's no need to solder the wires together and then apply shrink wrap. Slide this over your wires and use a micro torch to heat up the solder until it melts and then heat up the shrink wrap. All in one.
Here is a set of heat shrink solder butt connectors I bought on amazon. I haven't used them yet so I can't speak of their quality.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0EZBYQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_LcWRybS3Z21BA
Connectors - Non assembled
For those of you who would rather assemble the connectors yourself, removing the need for butt connectors, these weather pack connectors are very nice. They also are available in 1 - 6 wire and can hold up to a 12 gauge wire.
Female Connector
Weather Pack Female Housing - 3-Way
Male Connector
Weather Pack Male Housing - 3-Way
If you are using these, you will also need the male and female terminals that pop into each connector.
Weather Pack Terminals - Female
You will need these cavity seals as well. This is the part that actually makes the connector waterproof.
Cavity Seals
You will also need a crimper. There are so many crimpers available but for these connectors I bought the weatherpack crimper that is $35 on that website. However I got it on amazon for much cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005K006QS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_MmWRyb4WD9KNG
If you need connectors larger than 6 wires then here are some that I have found on amazon. Again, I have not used these so I can't say how good the quality is. These all come with everything needed to assemble the connectors.
8 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FH5CGS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_jVARybN3R84Z9
10 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMSGSQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_dWARybV2QK3RB
12 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DIHEPZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_RSARyb2CYYHPA
Bulk Head Connector - 22 pin
I am using one of these 22 pin Weatherpack bulkhead connectors on my car for the firewall. Everything that routes outside of the car (lights, engine, fan, etc...) route through this connector on the firewall. This way if I ever need to remove the body from the frame, I don't have to detach and remove a bunch of wiring.
Weather Pack 22-Way Bulkhead Connector - Female
If you buy from that source, you will also have to purchase the male/female terminals and cavity seals separately. Also these TPA come locks.
Weather Pack 22-Way Bulkhead Connectors - TPA
It is not available as a kit as far as I know. Or you could buy a kit from somewhere like amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZSHYVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_aBWRybKEKHHEH
A good source for all types of connectors and other things wiring is the website www.delcity.net
Weatherpack is a very good brand. They have all sorts of connectors and a lot of them are waterproof. Perfect for t buckets since a lot of our wiring is exposed to the elements. Here are a few items below that might make your wiring job a little easier.
Assembled pig tails:
Weather Pack Assembled Pigtails - 3-Way
These are pre assembled pig tails so there's no crimping involved and no assembly of the connector. These come in 1 wire, up to 6 wire. Another thing that will make these even easier is this....
Heat shrink and solder butt connectors:
Heat Shrink Solder Butt Connectors
With these, there's no need to solder the wires together and then apply shrink wrap. Slide this over your wires and use a micro torch to heat up the solder until it melts and then heat up the shrink wrap. All in one.
Here is a set of heat shrink solder butt connectors I bought on amazon. I haven't used them yet so I can't speak of their quality.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0EZBYQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_LcWRybS3Z21BA
Connectors - Non assembled
For those of you who would rather assemble the connectors yourself, removing the need for butt connectors, these weather pack connectors are very nice. They also are available in 1 - 6 wire and can hold up to a 12 gauge wire.
Female Connector
Weather Pack Female Housing - 3-Way
Male Connector
Weather Pack Male Housing - 3-Way
If you are using these, you will also need the male and female terminals that pop into each connector.
Weather Pack Terminals - Female
You will need these cavity seals as well. This is the part that actually makes the connector waterproof.
Cavity Seals
You will also need a crimper. There are so many crimpers available but for these connectors I bought the weatherpack crimper that is $35 on that website. However I got it on amazon for much cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005K006QS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_MmWRyb4WD9KNG
If you need connectors larger than 6 wires then here are some that I have found on amazon. Again, I have not used these so I can't say how good the quality is. These all come with everything needed to assemble the connectors.
8 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FH5CGS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_jVARybN3R84Z9
10 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMSGSQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_dWARybV2QK3RB
12 wire connector kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DIHEPZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_RSARyb2CYYHPA
Bulk Head Connector - 22 pin
I am using one of these 22 pin Weatherpack bulkhead connectors on my car for the firewall. Everything that routes outside of the car (lights, engine, fan, etc...) route through this connector on the firewall. This way if I ever need to remove the body from the frame, I don't have to detach and remove a bunch of wiring.
Weather Pack 22-Way Bulkhead Connector - Female
If you buy from that source, you will also have to purchase the male/female terminals and cavity seals separately. Also these TPA come locks.
Weather Pack 22-Way Bulkhead Connectors - TPA
It is not available as a kit as far as I know. Or you could buy a kit from somewhere like amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZSHYVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_aBWRybKEKHHEH