Help: which way to go ? Painless or Centech

[Jaya]

Hi All,

I am going to replace the old wiring in my CJ7 for safety and reliability reason. I am the 2nd owner of the jeep and since I bought it 10 years a go, I've been trying to fix it here and there, however ... the worse part is behind the dash.

My jeep is a RHD (right hand drive) vehicle, it concerns me as most the wiring harness developed for the LHD. Any input for this ? I've been trying to contact Painless Performance and Centech and also SummitRacing for advise, no confirmation so far ... however Painless did say their part # 100110 which is the same for LHD and RHD jeeps.

Would like your opinion base on personal experience installing them on which is a better product between Painless and Centech looking from:
1. Built quality/accuracy i.e.: every Centech termination is machine crimped and soldered.
2. Connectors quality i.e.: weather proof etc.
3. Documentation quality and accuracy.

Thanks guys.

 

[gert]

I went with painless, it is set up to be a mix of universal and stock course mine is an LHD jeep it fit great instructions are good, it shows how to wire it with most/all the different factory available distributors,alternators,and starters. The connectors wiring and workmanship is good quality You can go to their website and down load their manual as well I do not know much about Centech so someone else will have to speak about them

 

[danray48]

I used the Centech and was very happy with it. It explained everything for different applications on LHD vehicles. However not sure about RHD. But I have to ask, On a RHD does your wire harness go through the firewall on the Right side or Left? That would seem to make a difference. But anyway, I would have to go with whoever answered my question. Painless or Centech are both good harnesses speaking only about painless as to what I've heard and it's all been good.

 

[Jaya]

I used the Centech and was very happy with it. It explained everything for different applications on LHD vehicles. However not sure about RHD. But I have to ask, On a RHD does your wire harness go through the firewall on the Right side or Left? That would seem to make a difference. But anyway, I would have to go with whoever answered my question. Painless or Centech are both good harnesses speaking only about painless as to what I've heard and it's all been good.

Hi danray48,

The wire goes thru firewall on the right side.

Thanks for your answer.

Best regards,

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I use EZ wire kit. $200 shipped for the 18 circuit. It doesn't care what wid of the jeep it's on. I have installed 2 into Cj-s and I'm currently placing one in a bronco and 1 in YJ. Only negative to it is the block doesn't not go through the fire wall.
Other then that they are just as well built as the other high end units. Centech, painless, and EZ wire all use factory style open connectors. To properly install their systems you need to buy a special pair of crimpers to secure the factory style terminals. With the money I saved from using the EZ wire kit I bought the tools to make weather pack connectors and changed a lot if the open style connectors to weather pack. I think I have less then $100 into my weather pack tools and connectors.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Here's info on weather packs

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/weather-pack-connections-19093/

Starting at post 20 I have some pics of the wiring.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f69/jimbos-yj-cj-build-17885/index2.html

 

[Jaya]

Thanks jimbos76cj ... appreciate the good writings.

I found one article suggested to look for Ron Francis wiring ... I have emailed Ron for info, any body has any experience with his product ..?

Regards,

 

[mstar]

Here's info on weather packs


Great info on the weather packs. I have not used them yet.
Looks like it's time to up my game and invest in the tools and material
to use them. Very professional .Thanks again, Mike

 

[Jaya]

Both Ron Francis and Centech replied to my queries ... both were very helpful and informative .. price wise not much different.

However, Centech did mention steering column socket wire adjustment for i.e.: turn signal and they were very kind willing to adjust their harness kit as much as they can for the RHD setup. This makes me comfortable to go with Centech.

Ron Francis, they offer an open end kit and base on their offer it looks very promising ... I wish I have more time to work on the jeep myself to try it.

I have place the order to Centech ... now I am waiting for the Kit ... hopefully, installation can go smooth without the need to difficult adjustment.

Appreciate inputs from everybody in this forums, it helps me to make a better/wiser decision. Thank you.

Best regards,

 

[Jaya]

I am installing the Centech Kit …

As I am also using two batteries + a cut off, I would like to combine them with the new Centech wire kit … I upload the drawing to share and welcome comments/concern if any



Thanks guys.

Regards,

 

[gert]

I am installing the Centech Kit …

As I am also using two batteries + a cut off, I would like to combine them with the new Centech wire kit … I upload the drawing to share and welcome comments/concern if any



Thanks guys.

Regards,

Looks cool, My thought would be that I would want the alternator hooked to the battery that the starter is on. and the winch hooked to the 2nd battery

 

[Jaya]

Thanks Gert, will consider that when upgrading the battery solenoid to a better one, what I have now is manual solenoid that is actually makes the two batt in parallel when ON.

Regards,

 

[Vick68]

I went with ez also and got it on sale off ebay for 130 shipped.

 

[Jaya]

I went with ez also and got it on sale off ebay for 130 shipped.

Its a good price, how easy it is to install ?.

BTW, how did all of you wire the fuel pump ? I want the fuel pump to be ON only when the engine is running ?.

Regards,

 

[Jaya]

Hi All,

Finished the Centech wire install on my CJ. Everything great, i.e.: the electric fan runs extremely faster compare to before (both with relay). The head light wiring can stand hi watts H4 I was using … I am using 130/90 Phillips for both head lights and it just went straight with the Centech kit without any additional wire/relay set.

One concern is the front fender light marker is not following the turn signal as the old wire did.

As with the 2 batteries config, I add one more setup for the electric fuel pump. The main purpose is to make the pump works only when the engine runs and automatically stop when the engine stop.



I feel a bit more safer now