Wiring Harness Install Q’s

So I’ve been working on rebuilding this 60’ CJ5.

It has a new motor from Jegs, Buick 231, and I’m putting a new wiring harness in. This jeeps harness has been messed with quite a bit and is not in good shape.

It looks like the wiring for the mds ignition and coil will remain. The wiring from the alternator to what looks like a voltage regulator needs to be redone.

My question is should I just buy a new VR or a new alternator that has one built in?

 

If I do that, I can eliminate the black box altogether?

Also, is there a box this fuse box should be put inside or just mount it to the firewall and call it good?

 

I too would go with a 3 wire internally regulated Delco, in fact that is exactly what I did.

I bought a rebuilt Delco 3 wire alternator a couple of weeks ago from Rockauto for about $35 plus a $7 core charge. It works fine.

I have a voltage meter in my Jeep so didn't want the idiot light. When I bought the alternator I also bought the pigtail for the two blade connectors. I snipped off the white wire (idiot light), put a ring terminal on the red wire (exciter) and just looped that to the main terminal on the unit that goes to the battery. I also installed a heavy gage (don't know exact gage but was about 1/4" thick) ground wire and grounded the unit to the frame.

Tossed the Voltage regulator into the parts bin.

 

I've installed the aftermarket fuse panels behind the dash/under the cowl, usually inside where the "JEEP" stamping is located.
-Donny

 

Donny what’s your opinion on putting the fuse block inside the Dash versus on the other side of the firewall in the engine compartment? Safer/better inside?

 

Personally I think inside is a better option as its protected from the elements. If there is an issue, i.e. short that causes a fire you'd be more likely to see or smell it before it's out of hand.

 

In 1975, Jeep started equipping the CJ-5 with a fuse panel. They always put it under the dash, on the driver's side. I suspect this was more of a cost-related decision, since a fuse panel in the engine compartment would have to be weatherproof, and more expensive. If your fuse panel is not specifically a weatherproof item, say from Blue Sea for marine use, then I would opine that you must protect it by installing it under the dash.