canadian
sy in progress
I was doing my overhead console install today and figured I'd show how I get factory style connections on some of my things. First off, I bought myself a set of decent crimpers instead of the ones you get in the AutoZone help section. Notice the jaws are designed to work with "crimp over" style connectors. You can get a set on Amazon.
Next thing you are going to need are GM weatherpack or metripack connectors. I usually get mine at Napa because they're close and open for the last minute project I take on. I would recommend you shop around online to get a large assortment of styles.
Make sure that you get the type of connector that will work with the gauge of wiring that you are using. Larger gauge wires have 2 big crimp overs that hold the wire, while smaller gauge wires like I show here use 3.
Ok, first, make sure you strip a bit of insulation off the end of the wire and install the seal. If you don't do this now, you're screwed since the seal is important. Mine looked like this:
Next, I fit the wire into the male or female side of the plug thusly:
I get a pair of needle nosed pliers and start the bend on the seal, just to make things easier down the line:
I like to crimp the wire portion first so that it doesn't slide out when I crimp the seal. Just put it into the right jaw and crimp it:
The wire should be snug now. Next I crimp the seal as best I can:
Finally, I add a bit of solder to hold things together. I don't know if this is good or bad, but I figure a better seal is better conductivity.
The last thing to do is put it into the weatherpack body and away you go. It's much cleaner than the splice, solder, and heat shrink and it makes disconnecting things much easier.
If you have any input about things I've done wrong, or should do instead, please contribute.
Next thing you are going to need are GM weatherpack or metripack connectors. I usually get mine at Napa because they're close and open for the last minute project I take on. I would recommend you shop around online to get a large assortment of styles.
Make sure that you get the type of connector that will work with the gauge of wiring that you are using. Larger gauge wires have 2 big crimp overs that hold the wire, while smaller gauge wires like I show here use 3.
Ok, first, make sure you strip a bit of insulation off the end of the wire and install the seal. If you don't do this now, you're screwed since the seal is important. Mine looked like this:
Next, I fit the wire into the male or female side of the plug thusly:
I get a pair of needle nosed pliers and start the bend on the seal, just to make things easier down the line:
I like to crimp the wire portion first so that it doesn't slide out when I crimp the seal. Just put it into the right jaw and crimp it:
The wire should be snug now. Next I crimp the seal as best I can:
Finally, I add a bit of solder to hold things together. I don't know if this is good or bad, but I figure a better seal is better conductivity.
The last thing to do is put it into the weatherpack body and away you go. It's much cleaner than the splice, solder, and heat shrink and it makes disconnecting things much easier.
If you have any input about things I've done wrong, or should do instead, please contribute.
