Topic: '68 GT/CS tail light wiring harness restoration...

[1967 eight barrel]

I knew Bob meant "Special Ed". So much fun you could have with that name.. I tend to be a smart ass, but it's usually meant in fun. Perhaps too many years in law enforcement. Do stupid stuff, win stupid prizes.

                                                                                      -Keith

[Oz390]

Found these.

http://www.store.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/1-1/8-double-contact-park-and-tail-socket.html

Looks like a direct replacement for the inner base/springs/contacts.  Toss the outer housing.  Snip the old contacts off, sleeve on the new fitting, solder new tips.  Lose about 1/4" of wire off the ends.  Awaiting delivery to Australia to see how well they work, but in talking to the company they seem to fit the bill.  Brand new contacts and springs! 

To get the rubber boots off, a short soak in boiling water softened them for removal (a heat gun could work too).  A small jeweller's screwdriver slid up the wires split the heat crimped section off the wire with minor scarring.  Slide the boot down from the socket.  Once they slip back on a daub of a black sealant on the one or two small cuts, fold them over and tape, and they will look pretty much unmolested.

Can also get new woven loom to recover the wiring.  With the contacts are clipped, short sections can be sleeved on no problem.

http://www.store.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/wire-cover/auto-loom.html

So for about $40 I'll have restored "near new" taillight harnesses with OEM wiring/plugs/and housings.

HTH someone else...

[midlife]

You'll be very disappointed in the sleeving: it's nothing like the originals. 

[67gtasanjose]

... I tend to be a smart ass, but it's usually meant in fun. Perhaps too many years in law enforcement. Do stupid stuff, win stupid prizes.

                                                                                      -Keith

Keith, next event we go to together, maybe I can bring us a shirt each to wear? Do you like yellow or black? I suppose I could find you a pink one if you like 

[1967 eight barrel]

Rich..   I'll pass on the pink..

                                      -Keith

[Oz390]

You'll be very disappointed in the sleeving: it's nothing like the originals. 

The sleeve on the T-Bird taillights seems differnt to most of the other Mustang woven looms.  A tighter material that looks similar to that they sell.  I have samples on the way and am just trying to fix an old part.

Doing what I can.  If you have an alternative, I'm happy to try it. 

[1967 eight barrel]

The lamps on my '66 thunderbird seemed to be more of the asphalt type tubing Vs. the net type that is wound onto the Mustang tail lamp wiring.

[midlife]

Then I stand corrected.  I do not have a lot of experience with Shelby's, T-Bird, and Cougar tail-lights.

[1967 eight barrel]

Then I stand corrected.  I do not have a lot of experience with Shelby's, T-Bird, and Cougar tail-lights.

Randy,
Ford used that crap on the resistor wire and the door latch rods as an anti-rattle material. Their use of products sometimes makes no sense. Likely the engineers and the bean counters at work.
                                                                          -Keith

[Oz390]

Got the parts from YnZ.  Worked great.  Their 1/4" wire loom is extremely close to the OEM.  Getting the harness apart is a bit tricky to sleeve it on.  Here are some pics of the first harness.  Perfect.. no, but a far sight better than the frayed, exposed-wire state it was in.   

Loom comparison



New sockets.  The big improvement, no more corroded tips and missing springs causing bad connections.



Soldered tips



Newly wrapped, needs a bit more work and looking to make a new white FoMoCo/Part # tape wrap to add a finishing touch.