M35A2 Front Wire Harness (11677081) alternatives?

[Semper Gumby]

Working through a “no start” issue on my M35A2 and found the master/accessory switch wiring basically at end-of-life with several conductors severed (#11 and 27) and the rest frayed past use. The previous owner (PO) bypassed the starter relay and added an improvised starter-button circuit, and that wiring isn’t confidence-inspiring either.

A quick look at the rest the under the dash looks a little better so I got hope there.

The challenge is sourcing a front wire harness replacement or not. If the later, I secured adequate amount of Packard connectors from Erik's and sourced the DMC AF8 crimper off eBarf.

The correct front harness (11677081) is out of stock with the usual vendors (I checked), and new production appears to be cost-prohibitive, which is why the few that surface run $900+.

The upside is that the PO ran a completely separate civilian-style harness for headlights, turn signals, and taillights. That setup works fine.


Truck details:

1. 1967/68 REO M35
2. LDT-465-1D (1989 engine)
3. 60-amp alternator

My question:

Since I don’t need to use the OEM lighting circuits, is the earlier 10896819 harness a viable substitute for the 11677081 on a truck with a 60-amp system?

Appreciate any guidance from those who’ve adapted or substituted front harnesses before.



— JP

 

[Semper Gumby]

In digging into this Deuce's electrical system, I didn't intend to tackle what's becoming a restoration, but the POs had done too many modifications for me to work around.

Several conductors in the master switch wiring had severed themselves due to age and abuse. The starter relay had been bypassed among other changes. I thought about splicing the affected wires, but the existing harness loom had too much damage from the POs' hack job. Patching individual wires would've been self-defeating as the POs' clearly realized this and did their modifications instead of fixing it properly.

Since the correct M35A2 P/N 11677081 harness is out of stock and runs over $900, I sourced the earlier engine compartment harness (P/N 10896819, NSN 5995-00-076-6001) at $150+ and I'm making it work. The POs installed a separate civilian-style harness lighting circuits e.g., emergency, LED headlights,

For anyone searching: the P/N 10896819 harness certainly requires modifications for later A2 trucks but it's doable if you don't want to spend $900+ and spend copious time measuring and connecting.

Thanks to those who looked at this.

 

[Gavin-in-Th]

Did you get this sorted?
I have some M35 front harnesses.