Electrical Connectors & Terminals For 1997 TJ

[rich_tx]

I am in the process of replacing the dash and most of the interior pieces in my 1997 TJ. I have removed all of the dash wiring and have found some issues that I cannot overlook. I have not been successful in finding a vendor that offers a replacement wiring harness for the 1997 TJ (either engine, dash, tub, nothing). I am happy to build a harness from scratch but cannot find what the electrical connectors and terminals are or where I can purchase replacements.

Does anyone have suggestions on where I could purchase a replacement dash wiring harness or find the electrical connectors and associated terminals?

Thanks in advance!

Rich

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Check ebay. There are several Jeep junkyards there that sometimes have wiring harnesses available.

 

[hear]

I'm not above replacing both sides of the connector with a new weatherpak or similar if I can't find one off a donor harness. It doesn't have to be OEM — wait, you're not doing a concours restoration, are you?

 

[SSTJ]

@rich_tx, I'd be eager to hear what you ended up doing.

 

[JMT]

I am in the process of replacing the dash and most of the interior pieces in my 1997 TJ. I have removed all of the dash wiring and have found some issues that I cannot overlook. I have not been successful in finding a vendor that offers a replacement wiring harness for the 1997 TJ (either engine, dash, tub, nothing). I am happy to build a harness from scratch but cannot find what the electrical connectors and terminals are or where I can purchase replacements.

Does anyone have suggestions on where I could purchase a replacement dash wiring harness or find the electrical connectors and associated terminals?

Thanks in advance!

Rich

EBay. I got a harness for mine through a vendor on EBay.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Delphi weatherpack kits
Delphi metripack kits

$30 set of crimpers off Amazon
Snip and replace, and no need to overpay for anything
Ive rewired two entire classic vehicles with the above

I just found this kit, its an off brand but very well rated and a fraction of what Ive paid for Weatherpack kits costs

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-A...s-Connector/dp/B0B2P8M599/?tag=wranglerorg-20

This one includes the crimpers
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-A...s-Connector/dp/B0C16F6QDS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[hear]

Have you actually used those crimpers? Quality on non insulated crimpers is generally bad if you don’t spend a ton of money. I’m always interested in alternatives.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Not those EXACT ones, but I have wired 2 cars using blue handled ones I paid $30 off Amazon that look identical

https://www.amazon.com/GM-Delphi-Weatherpack-Crimper-Tool/dp/B005K006QS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Doing the 2 crimps per wire is something you will figure out quickly after a few test trials.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Not those EXACT ones, but I have wired 2 cars using blue handled ones I paid $30 off Amazon that look identical

https://www.amazon.com/GM-Delphi-Weatherpack-Crimper-Tool/dp/B005K006QS/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Doing the 2 crimps per wire is something you will figure out quickly after a few test trials.

I have those exact same ones and they work fine.

 

[hear]

Doing the 2 crimps per wire is something you will figure out quickly after a few test trials.

I have a cheap pair and figured out the 2 crimp trick pretty quickly. I still have a decent % of misfires. I would love to see how a high end tool compares. Maybe this is just as good as it gets.

 

[CharlesHS]

Try Connector Experts; they have quite a wide selection.

https://connectorexperts.com/ag-185...KPKGxJHHse75OBdCNUm6UZO3GIMdQ_vxoCdO4QAvD_BwE

 

[Lou]

I have a cheap pair and figured out the 2 crimp trick pretty quickly. I still have a decent % of misfires. I would love to see how a high end tool compares. Maybe this is just as good as it gets.

Sargent 3189ct is all you need for perfect crimps everytime on weatherpack/metripack.

https://www.waytekwire.com/product/...MIjtf0iKvhigMV5C5ECB1XIBjoEAQYASABEgLMC_D_BwE
Pair it with the 3187 to cover most other size open barrel crimps.
https://www.waytekwire.com/product/sargent-3187-ct-crimping-tool

 

[Lou]

Try Connector Experts; they have quite a wide selection.

https://connectorexperts.com/ag-1859227-chrysler.html?matchtype=p&network=g&device=c&keyword=chrysler connectors&campaign=1731994958&adgroup=70756389547&gclid=CjwKCAjw092IBhAwEiwAxR1lRlJvSax0-4BWTjsTfMbpoPKPKGxJHHse75OBdCNUm6UZO3GIMdQ_vxoCdO4QAvD_BwE

Have you seen their prices? That website should not be used.

 

[lBasket]

Oh hell I absolutely loathe those weatherpak connectors. Total junk IMO. I used them on my MR2 and I 100% expect to need to replace every single one. Next time I re-wire anything I am trying DTM connectors.

 

[Lou]

Oh hell I absolutely loathe those weatherpak connectors. Total junk IMO. I used them on my MR2 and I 100% expect to need to replace every single one. Next time I re-wire anything I am trying DTM connectors.

Weatherpack’s are the biggest pile of shit BUT genuine connectors/terminals are incredibly cheap and they are effective. Just bulky.

 

[lBasket]

Weatherpack’s are the biggest pile of shit BUT genuine connectors/terminals are incredibly cheap and they are effective. Just bulky.

I hate how plugging them in is basically just threading thru a needle's eye for every pin at the same time. They are just way too hard to get PERFECTLY straight in the housing.

 

[Lou]

Oh hell I absolutely loathe those weatherpak connectors. Total junk IMO. I used them on my MR2 and I 100% expect to need to replace every single one. Next time I re-wire anything I am trying DTM connectors.

Not apples to apples. Weatherpack is rated at 20 amps.

DTM are rated for 7.5a and you really can’t get larger than 18 awg in them.

DT are rated at 13a and you’re limited to 14-20 awg.

DTP handle 25a and work with 10-14 awg.

I hate how plugging them in is basically just threading thru a needle's eye for every pin at the same time. They are just way too hard to get PERFECTLY straight in the housing.

That is an issue when they are over crimped and become bent. If properly crimped the whole terminal remains straight and plugging the connectors together is a non issue.

 

[lBasket]

Not apples to apples. Weatherpack is rated at 20 amps.

DTM are rated for 7.5a and you really can’t get larger than 18 awg in them.

DT are rated at 13a and you’re limited to 14-20 awg.

DTP handle 25a and work with 10-14 awg.



That is an issue when they are over crimped and become bent. If properly crimped the whole terminal remains straight and plugging the connectors together is a non issue.

I only wrote one acronym for brevity

Meh. Throwing a bunch of money at a crimper to make a connector I don't like barely adequate feels like throwing good money at bad. I'll just get a connector that [I've been led to believe is] less fragile.

 

[Lou]

I only wrote one acronym for brevity

Meh. Throwing a bunch of money at a crimper to make a connector I don't like barely adequate feels like throwing good money at bad. I'll just get a connector that [I've been led to believe is] less fragile.

deutsch are far superior and you can get a good crimper that handles all 3 sizes for $100-200. But the connectors, wedge locks, and especially the terminals are very expensive. You want actual Deutsch or Amphenol. The China junk on Amazon is not what you are after if you want “less fragile”.

Typically the Amphenol line (ATM, AT, ATP) are better priced than Deutsch. Those are what you want.

None of this is relevant to what this thread was about. Not sure how weatherpacks would help repair the oem dash harness. Can’t think of a single weatherpack connector used on the interior of a TJ.

 

[CharlesHS]

Have you seen their prices? That website should not be used.

Personally I rather spend a few $$ more and use the factory style connectors instead of using the Chinese crap.....