Massive Amount of Wiring on '74 CJ5

I have recently bought a 74 cj5. It has a 360 Amc in it. I was used in the mountains in Colorado so it has an air locker in the front and locker in the back. It is a solid jeep but it has its issues. First it doesn't run very smooth or start very well. There is so much wiring it isn't funny. I really don't know where to start on it. There are numerous guages of every kind and half don't work. Where do I start and what should I even do. Should I start over? I use this jeep in the river so the less wiring the better. Maybe that is part of the running problem. I have replaced the spark plugs, wires, distributor and rotor. I have heard it might be the battery or dist. shaft or alternator.

I NEED HELP!

 

Well, I can't offer specific advice, but you have two choices....Fix what you got, or replace it. If most of the wiring looks worn, frayed, hacked, burnt, etc, then personally I'd replace. If it looks intact, then you might start by obtaining a FSM and actually tracing the wiring from the diagrams and comparing to your wiring. This will give you an idea of what's original and what's hack.

FWIW, you may find your wiring in good enough shape to work with, but don't let the idea of replacing the harness scare you into working with what you have. Replacing does require some thought and patience, but when done, you will have all new wiring and a good understanding of how it all works.

 

Thanks and I guess I am going to have to just replace the whole thing with the guages that I want.

 

Yeh I would suggest replace. Then you know what is going on in the wireing.