Wiring of 1939 Lasalle 5019

[erlovic]

Is there anyone who can provide information on residing a 1939 Lasalle 5019?

[tripwire]

If you are in the US and looking for recommendations for a new wiring harness I'd say go to Rhode Island Wiring. They'll have what you need.  You can buy everything or sections depending on what you are trying to restore.

WParo in VT.

[erlovic]

Already have harness. Have questions about installation

[tripwire]

Oh, OK.

[Dan LeBlanc]

It might help us to know which questions you're looking to have answered.

[erlovic]

The current wiring to the rear of the car goes through the headliner which I would rather not have to disturb. Is there another way of running the wires?

[Steve Passmore]

This has been asked before. The alternatives are under the carpet which I wouldn't do and the other is running under the floor through the chassis.

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Your rear body harness was designed to be under the headliner. As Steve said running under the carpet is not recommended. Before I would even think about under the floor and then on the chassis back to the rear, you need to make sure the new harness is long enough to follow this path. Then how are you going to protect this new harness from moisture? I am the same as you, I don`t want to disturb an old headliner but after spending money on a new harness, why take the chance of damaging this harness by installing it in a place never meant for a wiring harness.     Bill 

[erlovic]

How difficult is it to install under the headliner? Will I need to replace it after installing the harnass?

[Steve Passmore]

If your headliner is original you will have no chance of saving it. It will be very weak and you have to remove a thousand tacks which will fray all the edges. The wiring to the interior light is fixed to the bows as it go's across to the light and the switch so a section of that has to come down as well. It's old and all the stitching will fail plus when these headliners are fitted they are pulled taut to remove creases and then all excess removed after tacking. You will never have enough to hold on to make a decent job.
I did it in a car where the headliner was 20 years old and still destroyed it.

[erlovic]

Thanks I chose to go a different route.

[erlovic]

Bill, thanks for your input. The harness was long enough to run it along the chassis. We will encase the wires in rubber hose to protect it.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

In 38 Cadillac ran the chassis harness on the frame with the same jacket as the interior wiring had.  Not sure about the small series cars but most likely it was too.  In 39 they moved it inside the body.