Wiring tools

[Jrgunn5150]

I'm about to embark on a scratch wiring job on my C10 in the next 6 weeks here or so.

What tools do you guy's find necessary for good, solid wiring?

I have a set of auto strippers, but I don't have any fancy crimpers or anything.

Also, I need a source for good spade connectors and whatnot, I'd prefer something nice and solid I heatshrink over to the chintzy aluminum red/blue/yellow wrapped crap you find anywhere.

I can solder and have a couple electric irons.

 

[dvdswan]

Personally, I like snake skin vs. corrugated tubing, much cleaner look IMO. You can get non-insulated connectors so you don't have to buy the red/blue/yellow ones and have to take off the insulator since you are using heat shrink.

You can find a good set of crimpers from Amazon for a decent price. I would also suggest using weatherpak connectors outside of the cab.

Just remember you don't need a 100W solder iron for a 24g wire. A smaller 40W will do just fine without melting the wire insulator.

 

[86Peter454]

i use a set of these to strip wire:
https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-VISE-GRIP-2078300-Self-Adjusting-Stripper/dp/B000OQ21CA

and these for cutting and crimping
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LOVEGS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i know the first set will cut and crimp but not as easily or as well as the second set. basically i would want both those tools if i was doing a large wiring job.

a good option for connectors would be get ones that already have heat shrink stuff on them. like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GXQMP6...olid=2ATCO75H31Y6B&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

or you could look for ones that have no insulation and add your own heat shrink like this. (i know these are not spades but you get the idea)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079BFSTF...olid=2ATCO75H31Y6B&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

those are all things that i would consider using.

 

[climb-101]

they make some connector with the heat shrink outside but it also has solder inside the connector that melts with the heat from a heat gun. they are a great connector.

https://www.amazon.com/Kuject-Conne...shrink+solder+conn,aps,248&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

 

[shiftpro]

My teeth were the best wire strippers until they broke and fell out... wtf?