18 replies to this topic

[Jaybraham]

I know this will likely be the type of reply you've asked not to read, however just to say this all the same.

Before going too far down this rabbit hole, I'd suggest pricing out all the materials - the wires, plugs, sockets and other consumables as you might be in for a rude surprise as to what it will actually cost. I can get these parts at trade pricing, for middle of the road to better quality parts and wires, I can't make one for less than I can buy one ready to fit.

Spider its not that I don't want to read it, I've read the numerous responses which ultimately follow a trend of "it will cost much more or you'll likely burn out here or set fire from here or it'll be a mess and time consiming". Its more I've already read them in all other similar posts.

I've already got a vague idea of what it will cost comparative to buying a new and if I replaced every wire and switch in the stock loom it would undoubtedly cost me more however I'm not builing all the components a standard loom has in it thanks to my cars previous owner whom removed components and/or changed cables for ones unsuitable and underrated for its application (think dual speaker wire in one connector from the coils to the ignition). Cost isn't my major concern, safety and knowledge is key for me and the current loom I wouldn't deem safe, nor the cost of a new loom necessary due to so much wasted wire and connections. So I'm going to embark on a hard lesson if I get it wrong but lucky to have the forum to help me understand or build on already asked questions

Edited by Jaybraham, Yesterday, 09:45 AM.

[KTS]

 

I know this will likely be the type of reply you've asked not to read, however just to say this all the same.

Before going too far down this rabbit hole, I'd suggest pricing out all the materials - the wires, plugs, sockets and other consumables as you might be in for a rude surprise as to what it will actually cost. I can get these parts at trade pricing, for middle of the road to better quality parts and wires, I can't make one for less than I can buy one ready to fit.

Spider its not that I don't want to read it, I've read the numerous responses which ultimately follow a trend of "it will cost much more or you'll likely burn out here or set fire from here or it'll be a mess and time consiming". Its more I've already read them in all other similar posts.

I've already got a vague idea of what it will cost comparative to buying a new and if I replaced every wire and switch in the stock loom it would undoubtedly cost me more however I'm not builing all the components a standard loom has in it thanks to my cars previous owner whom removed components and/or changed cables for ones unsuitable and underrated for its application (think dual speaker wire in one connector from the coils to the ignition). Cost isn't my major concern, safety and knowledge is key for me and the current loom I wouldn't deem safe, nor the cost of a new loom necessary due to so much wasted wire and connections. So I'm going to embark on a hard lesson if I get it wrong but lucky to have the forum to help me understand or build on already asked questions

 

 

pretty much the same reason I overhauled mine;  an opportunity to modernise/improve what is effectively a 60 year old design and because I reckoned i could do it 

 

some aspects of the rewire work is covered in my recommission project thread if you're interested

[alpder]

While I agreed there's good sense in "I can't make one for less than I can buy one ready to fit"... you could say the same about the entire car: I couldn't buy and restore one for less than what it would cost to buy a previously restored car - even excluding the time I put into it.

 

It's also quite difficult to imagine that modest bundle of wires arriving in the post and seeing yourself saying "Yeah, that's £300 well spent". Sometimes, only the actual experience of spending ££££s (and hours) to achieve the same thing can teach you that it would've been.

 

But for us hobbyists there are other factors at play too: we enjoy the process (or we keep telling ourselves we do), we're happier driving a car whose workings we know how to fix because we fitted every screw and every wire, and we like the certainty of knowing everything in the car has been done right (or, more realistically, that we have "round tuit" plans to make it right).

 

DIY and bought-in looms both have their place: buy-in if going as-original. But consider DIY if modernising the car, because adding wires into an existing and half-understood commercial one can be more frustrating that just starting from scratch.

Edited by alpder, Yesterday, 10:26 AM.

[viz139]

For a road car 80% of what you build will be the same a standard mini of some year. I have wired many minis and kit cars for people over the years and I would always start with a standard loom closest to the customer spec and than modify that. I think you will not match factory quality connections and lose reliability.