anyone have any recommendations for professional grade wire connectors/plugs?

i'd like to get rid of the mess behind my 911 gauge cluster and i'd like to consolidate all wires for each individual gauge into one loom with a connector to unplug it.

anything like that out there?
Andy

Go to digikey.com and order a printed catalog. The web catalog just has too much stuff to wade through if you don't know what you want.

One brand that comes to mind is Molex also AMP(Tyco). These are modular plugs. You have to crimp the pins individually and insert them into the plug. But they are similar to other quick release plugs in any car. I kind of assume thats what you are looking for.

AMP Tyco connectors

Tefzel is the wire you want, and those AMP connectors work nicely

I get all my electrical stuff from boating/marine stores. Much better quality than the FLAPS stuff. Good selection too.

One word please:

WAYTEK.


Only place, no minimum, great to deal with anything your little heart desires.

Okay, more than one word.


Erik Madsen

these guys? http://www.waytekwire.com/

Andy

PS: thanks for the leads, everyone!

VDO sells the plugs that plug into the back of the stock dashboard gauges. Each comes with three crimp-on terminals as well as the plastic plug body.

I have one of the blister-packs in storage; it has the part number on it. I sent the number out to people a long while back, but don't know if anyone kept it or not.

If I can remember, I'll grab the part the next time I hit the storage spot.

--DD

yeah, but there's many more wires per gauge, and they're all over the place. some have 2 or 3 light bulbs, up to 2 individual ground wires, blinkers in the tach, low/high bean bulbs, etc. etc. etc. ...

i'd like to be able to have *all* the wires from each individual gauge go into a separate loom that ends with a connector/plug for easy disconnect ...
Andy

Andy, Go to a junkyard and take a pair or wire cutters. AS you walk through clip the plugs off of late model cars. I have boxes of plugs, pigtails, etc from many a late model car. I stick with Japanese cars because their connectors are really nice and you can un-pin them if you need.

Thats what I do, but I go with GM, why, have the tools. Weather pack stuff is great, as long as it has not been exposed to high heat, becomes brittle.

I also tore out every subbie harness bit I could, they have some nice connectors there also.

Or you can use what us computer guys use which is Molex, can be found at most electronic type shops.

This is exactly how I did the instrument panel on my boat, wonderful when it cones time for service.

I like the "circular connectors" they have them at Digikey. These are black plastic versions of the milspec connectors.

Lots of good suggestions ! Thanks for mentioning Waytek. I hadn't come across them before, and for what they cover, they look great.

USE Marine Grade wire any time you repair/replace/or upgrade anything in your car. It is very different from typical automotive grade wire.

Each strand in Tinned BEFORE they are woven/spun together into the multistrand "wire". This does LOADS to prevent corrosion from creating voltage drops. Also, anytime you crimp a wire to a connector, dip the end into a dielectric grease FIRST... this keeps the wire to crimp-connector joint corrosion free.