Gauging Interest in Pre-Wired Dash/Chassis Harness Including Gauges

[sk8runeg]

Hi all,

My name is Scott, and I am a small business owner in Massachusetts. My main area of expertise is Automotive Electronics, and Window Tinting. I have nearly 7 years experience doing custom stereo systems, alarms/remote starters, and basically anything that relates to the electrical aspect of a vehicle.

I am in the process of becoming a distributor for Speedhut Gauges, and I am largely considering becoming a sponsor of this, and other, Factory Five-related forums. But first, I would like to make sure there would be interest in what I have to offer. (Moderators - If this is not allowed, please PM me what I must do instead to gauge interest)

What I have been thinking lately, is that many builders are afraid of the wiring aspect of the build, or seem to hit a brick wall, and this greatly slows down the build process. I know from experience in my build that the beginning stages of the build go very quickly, but the wiring is a HUGE job.

So, that being said, I am interested to know if there would be interest in a package that would include the following:

-Builder's choice of Speedhut(or other companys) Gauges
-Pre-wired dash panel including headlight/dimmer switch, turn signals, turn signal/hi-beam indicators, wiper switch(if necessary), and all gauges.
-Pre-wired Ignition Switch(Or RFID Push-button Start for extra cost)
-Builder's choice of dash layout(custom available)
-Complete painless chassis wiring harness w/fusebox, pre-wired from headlights to taillights, just run pre-labeled wires to their designated areas and secure harness.
-Custom switches or extras could be added aswell

Basically, I am trying to offer a complete dash/chassis harness so that the builder could just route the harness to its proper placement, mount fusebox, plug in or connect the headlights, taillights, fuel sender, and connect gauge inputs in engine compartment for a nearly 100% plug and play install.

I dont think I am allowed to put pricing of any sort, but from what I have been calculating, the price would not be much higher than the price of a set of gauges, Ron Francis wiring Harness, and a blank dash panel...

Please let me know if there would be a market for this type of offering, and again, Mods please let me know if I am out of line via PM.

Thanks for reading!
-Scott

[mirose]

Where were you 12 months ago????? I would have definitely been in....Good luck with the venture. I am curious to see if anyone else bites....You might want to post a pic of something similar you have done....just a thought - Michael

[sk8runeg]

Well you can remember me for your next build! lol

As for pics, they will be up soon. I am going to california next week, but when I get back I will have time ti finish up the prototype, and post some pics.

[BlitzAttack]

Originally Posted by mirose

Where were you 12 months ago????? I would have definitely been in....Good luck with the venture. I am curious to see if anyone else bites....You might want to post a pic of something similar you have done....just a thought - Michael

X2! I have completely stalled on my build as soon as I got to the wiring. I would have definatly been a customer of this!

[Bill 21]

Sounds good, if the price is right. Plus a whole lot less head scratching.

[emac]

I would have been interested. I would have liked a nice harness with weaterpack connectors. I found the RF connectors a bit tough to work with. I spent a good bit of time wiring the lights, plus the expense of buying a bunch of weatherpacks and an expensive tool. Blinker indicator lights and FFR guage sender unit wires are an area that is not clearly explained in the manual.

I think if you had a website or photos explaining the harness, older members that have been through the wiring could explain to new builders wether or not it is worth the money. I for one value the opinion of many members on this site.....they havent steered me wrong once (I do that all by myself!) Best of luck.

ernest

[HIRISC]

A 'better' harness, with more thoughtful connectors and documentation would be a big hit. Nearly everyone using the RF strips and/or edits the heck out of it.

You'd have to have a carb version and an EFI version most likely (or allow a disconnect of sorts for the latter). Also, remember to integrate power/wiring for Freddies power steering setup!

Absent of an upgrade from the Francis harness, I'd wire my next kit by hand.

Best of luck.

[sk8runeg]

Originally Posted by HIRISC

You'd have to have a carb version and an EFI version most likely (or allow a disconnect of sorts for the latter). Also, remember to integrate power/wiring for Freddies power steering setup!

Absent of an upgrade from the Francis harness, I'd wire my next kit by hand.

Best of luck.

As for carb vs EFI, this will be a chassis harness only. There will be an ignition wire and starter wire running under the hood, as well as the inputs for gauges, and fan relay(s). For a carb motor, the ignition wire would serve as the power to the coil, and for EFI the ignition wire would serve as power for a stand alone engine management harness.

I know that the wiring scares many people, but it is really very simple when the wires are setup and labeled properly. I plan on including connectors such as headlight connectors supplied from FFR already installed for plug and play headlights, and I will add a connector for the parking lights and taillights so that removing the body would be an easier task by just disconnecting all the lights. Also, there will be a basic model, which includes all the main and necessary components, and I'm thinking there will be a custom model, which can be customized to however the builder wants(ie. gauge/switch placement, added indicator lights such as check engine or e-brake on, push button start, security system, and so on). And lastly, the harness will be labeled 100%, with easy to follow instructions.

As for a website, I have a website for my by business, but I am not sure if I am allowed to post anything like that without being a sponsor. Once my prototype is ready, I will post some pics.

[pjdavis]

If it is true plug and play - I think it would be a big hit! Trying to gauge interest on this forum is a good indicator - but probably would not generate to many sales as most of us are complete in our builds - pretty far along or just starting our build - thus have the harness, etc. However there are still plenty of people reading and learning in anticipation of a build.

If could make this almost full proof - then a good idea would be to contact Factory Five and the others - If it is that good and priced right - I don't see why they would not be interested in offering it with their kits - provided the proven customer service is there.

If I do - which I hope too - a second build - I would jump on your harness.

PJ

[sk8runeg]

Originally Posted by pjdavis

If it is true plug and play - I think it would be a big hit! Trying to gauge interest on this forum is a good indicator - but probably would not generate to many sales as most of us are complete in our builds - pretty far along or just starting our build - thus have the harness, etc. However there are still plenty of people reading and learning in anticipation of a build.

If could make this almost full proof - then a good idea would be to contact Factory Five and the others - If it is that good and priced right - I don't see why they would not be interested in offering it with their kits - provided the proven customer service is there.

If I do - which I hope too - a second build - I would jump on your harness.

PJ

I will say it will be NEARLY plug and play... All of the switches and indicators will be prewired with labeled connectors for easy disassembly and installation, all of the exterior lights will have male/female weatherpack connectors for a plug and play installation, and all of the gauges will be prewired as well as an igniton switch.

Every dash and harness will be completely bench tested and guarenteed to work 100%. The only connections the builder will have to make will be the underhood connections to the starter solenoid, fans, and gauge sending units, and Battery power. Some of the gauges may need to be programmed as well, but I dont think there is any way to avoid that.

I will be a distributor for Speedhut by the end of the day, so I am planning to have a finished prototype by the end of the first week of july. Stay tuned.

[HIRISC]

Originally Posted by sk8runeg

As for carb vs EFI, this will be a chassis harness only. There will be an ignition wire and starter wire running under the hood, as well as the inputs for gauges, and fan relay(s). For a carb motor, the ignition wire would serve as the power to the coil, and for EFI the ignition wire would serve as power for a stand alone engine management harness.

Got it.. best to keep out of the EFI variations (especially when they provide their own harnesses).

Best of luck.

[Don Payne]

You should provide some type of order form with options, or at least some questions like the efi vs. carb among other things. Also, it would be cool if you provided a couple of standardized dash layouts. (I think the more vintage looking the layout the better) Also, underdash options like power plugs hidden kill switches, panel for misc switches underdash or other, would be very nice to add more complexity without altering the originality of the vintage layout. And don't forget to include a glovebox option. While we are on this thought a better dash mounting system that does not require seeing screw heads on the front of the dash would be nice.

[sk8runeg]

Originally Posted by Don Payne

You should provide some type of order form with options, or at least some questions like the efi vs. carb among other things. Also, it would be cool if you provided a couple of standardized dash layouts. (I think the more vintage looking the layout the better) Also, underdash options like power plugs hidden kill switches, panel for misc switches underdash or other, would be very nice to add more complexity without altering the originality of the vintage layout. And don't forget to include a glovebox option. While we are on this thought a better dash mounting system that does not require seeing screw heads on the front of the dash would be nice.

I will be offering two packages. One package will be the dash layout that is provided with the kit, and will use on/off switched for everything but the headlights(low-beam), and horn(push-button), and most likely a cigarette lighter either mounted or hidden. The second package will be a "Custom Package" in which the builder would provide a dash layout they want, any extra accessories such as push-button start, hidden switches, perhaps a hidden mount system like you mentioned..

I would like to get the basic kit prototype done first so that people can see the quality of work that I offer, and how much time I can actually save a builder. From there I will create some sort of ordering sheet for more complex orders. However, I cannot do any of this until I have the prototype done and I am a sponsor of this forum at the very least.

Thanks for all the input guys, lets keep it coming!

[CobraDVM]

Originally Posted by sk8runeg

I cannot do any of this until ... I am a sponsor of this forum at the very least.

If you become a sponsor on this forum, you won't make a dime on this, and will likely lose money. The current forum owners are charging outrageous advertising prices. The other forum is much more vendor friendly, so I would look into that.

[Wicked96SS]

I think this would be a great idea. I have to replace the dash in the car I have, so my wiring is already there (although it needs redone, but at least I know where everything goes!)... I would even consider an option like this if the deal on different gauges and a custom layout were offered without the wiring. Not sure how compatible the Autometer gauges I have would be with say.. Smiths, but I'm sure they would be close!

Either way, sounds like a great idea.

[QSL]

I just installed the RF harness that came with the kit this weekend. I think its going to be hard to beat that. It was really straight forward and easy. Had everything i needed. The plus to what you are saying is that you can customize it for your specific car. That would be cool. But i think you would need a car in your possesion. Plus it would be nice to have mounting location options. With the RF harness you need to mount it in the stock location, which worked for me... but if you wanted it in another spot you would need to extend a lot of wires.

[sk8runeg]

Originally Posted by QSL

I just installed the RF harness that came with the kit this weekend. I think its going to be hard to beat that. It was really straight forward and easy. Had everything i needed. The plus to what you are saying is that you can customize it for your specific car. That would be cool. But i think you would need a car in your possesion. Plus it would be nice to have mounting location options. With the RF harness you need to mount it in the stock location, which worked for me... but if you wanted it in another spot you would need to extend a lot of wires.

I am currently building a MKIV, see here.

I have nothing good or bad to say about the RF harness, as I have never used one.

My Harness will be much more than just a harness though. It will include Speedhut gauges(which I am now a distributor for), All dash switches and idicator lights pre-wired into the harness with connectors for quick disconnection, added weatherpack connectors and prewired headlight and taillights for mostly plug and play installation, ignition switch prewired aswell.

Basically, I am trying to create a package that will cut down greatly on installation time, as all you would have to do is run the wires to their respective locations and secure them. The only connections that you would have to make would be under the hood for the gauge senders, starter, igniton out to the Engine harness, and fuel level sender possibly.

My latest thought is that this would require the builder to send me their headlights, taillights, and turn signals for me to add the weatherpack connectors for a truly plug and play, tested and guarenteed to work harness and dash package.

[Silverstreak02]

Although I made some modifications and upgrades to my Ron Frances harness I have to say it is very complete and workable. As you mentioned the light connections could have separate connectors for each light instead of one and the harness isn't specific to the Speed Hut gauges. I found the last part a little frustrating since it was purchased from Factory Five as a part of the complete kit. I got over it quickly when I realized how easy it is to hook up the Speed Hut gauges. If you go this way you may want to add extra grounds and an auxiliary fuse panel. I think you may get some interest in this from the guys that want a custom set-up and are afraid of wiring, but honestly the Ron Frances harness is very good. You may want to install yours first before going very far.

Jeff