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Post by one80two on Oct 24, 2010 11:36:00 GMT -5
Hello BGT enthusiasts!
My name is Brad. I used to be active on the site many years ago, back in the late 90's when I first got my 1979 Bradley GT Special Edition. I have met up with Jeff Troy in the Dayton, Ohio area back in 2000 or 2001 and even made the trip to Carsile, even though I didn't bring along my BGT, in the same time frame. Many years have gone by without checking in on the forum; honestly, I thought it died! I'm glad to see it is active and full of good people with good advice. With that said, I would like to say hello to everyone in the BGT world!
I come here seeking advice on a few things.
First question: Yesterday, I finally go started on redoing my much outdated and dingy interior. I gutted the original baby blue interior that wasn't going to cut it anymore! My floor pans are pretty rusted, not rotted, but I think it would be wise to replace them while I have the carpet up. How complicated is replacing the floor pans? Please keep in mind, I have the tools to do it and I am a welder by profession. I don't think it looks to be that tough of a project, but, as I have learned in the past, looks might be deceiving. Main questions is: Does the body have to come off?
Question #2: I plan on re-doing my wiring system, as I am having problems with my taillights and a few of my gauges. I am looking into ordering a Painless Wiring harness. What do I need to get? A VW Beetle harness? A universal Harness? A Kit Car Harness? I think all of the above would work, but I am wanting any, and all, imput for some people that have actually rewired their whole car. Let me know what works, what doesn't work, some things to keep in mind when wiring and any helpful things that are handy to have, but not required, that I can add while starting from scratch.
Last question: I saw the pictures of that Bradley from England on here. I really, really, really like his seats! Anybody have any info on those seats? Did he buy them? If so, where at? They look sharp and give him props for not only his seats, but his car has a whole!
Sorry for the long post, and letting me pick your brains for info.
Any, and all replies, will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
-Brad.
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Post by one80two on Oct 24, 2010 16:27:06 GMT -5
A few pics of my BGT. Attachments:
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Post by Kyle Murdock on Oct 24, 2010 17:50:37 GMT -5
Hey Brad. I think I may have met you at Carlisle as well. Anyway, I bought a Painless 18 circuit universal kit. Never used it in the car, but it seemed the way to go for me. I wanted more circuits than I needed. The VW ones just didn't have many. The only thing to keep in mind with the universals are that they are set up for a front engine. The engine wires are a little short, but ok if you locate the fuse block in the right place. Just lay it out first.
The kits are very expensive, but great set ups.
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Post by big bob on Oct 24, 2010 18:40:48 GMT -5
hey brad, welcome.. or welcome back!! you should use the search feature of this board to get great information on floor pans and wiring harnesses. just hit search and make sure you set the days/years and number of queries to get good results. here's a link to my car in progress..... mysite.verizon.net/bobthagard1/car/big bob |
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Post by one80two on Oct 24, 2010 21:11:29 GMT -5
Kyle, Yes, I did meet you in PA. It was many years ago. I had my friend Paul with me, too. Everybody went and saw Star Wars one night. I wasn't a Star Wars fan, so I stayed back. It was nice to meet you, and everybody, back in the day. Anybody representing the Bradley's at Carsile anymore? Also, good call on the universal wiring kits being for front-engine cars. I, like you, want more circuts that I needs. Big Bob, Thanks for the welcoming. I went to your link and I must say I really like your interior. You have givin me some great ideas for the jumpseat. I like your setup very much and I was thinking of somewhat the same thing with a nice speaker system added to it. A nice flat back gives the BGT a more of a "roadster" look. I mean, Who uses the jumpseat anyways? Well, come to think of it, back in the day, I didn't manage to to fit 3 girls in my BGT one time. Good times, good times...... Here's a nother pic. Can you upload more than one pic at a time?? Attachments:
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Post by one80two on Oct 24, 2010 21:13:43 GMT -5
And another when I met up with Jeff Troy in the Dayton, OH area. Attachments:
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Post by jspbtown on Oct 25, 2010 8:13:50 GMT -5
Brad, almost any universal wiring kit will work...with adaptation. I don't think you are going to find one that doesn't require some custom work. Here is one I used:  Its a basic 8 circuit one from EBAY. It would be the bare minimum for a Bradley. 12 circuits would work & 18 would be getting to the point of excessive. To replace the floor pans I would suggest removing the body. Its not hard. Cut out the old and weld in the new. It is ALOT easier with the body off. It will also give you the chance to re-wire the body by working under it versus on your back (almost impossible) as well as updating and replacing any worn parts. When the body is off a kit it is so simple to do so many things. |
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Post by Jeff Troy on Oct 25, 2010 8:42:59 GMT -5
Hi, Brad,
I remember meeting you and Paul on my way to either a hobby show or a vintage kart race in Ohio. If I remember, one of you drove my plastic racer around the parking lot.
I'll echo everything jbsptown (Jeff) suggested about pulling the body. MUCH easier to do the pans and the electrical work with the body off.
Nice to hear from you again. Hope you and yours are well.
Warmest regards,
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Post by Kyle Murdock on Oct 25, 2010 16:36:22 GMT -5
Brad Dement?? I remember the you having one of the limited's.
It looks like you can't get the 18 from Painless anymore. My thought was to have enough left over so that 3 years down the road when you think of something else to add, you've got it. I'm planning to sell my wiring kit with my car, but would probably do it separate if you are really looking.
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Post by smyrnaguy on Oct 25, 2010 17:54:59 GMT -5
I built my harness using a 12 circuit fuse panel and a dune buggy harness from ebay. I configured the panel for 8 switched and 4 unswitched circuits and of course had to add lots of additional wires, most of which were salvaged from the original Bradley harness. I later found I needed additional switched circuits and had to add 3 more to the central buss. The main panel is hinged from the dash and allows fuse checking and changing from the driver's seat. The secondary fuses are currently a disappointment to me as they require poking under the dash. I'm thinking about moving them into the glove box. I've also decided to install a third fuseblock in the battery compartment to service a rear amplifier, the windshield washer pump and a power inverter. You can see then that 18 circuits isn't out of the question. I'd recommend a circuit breaker for the headlights in addition. Each of these has its own circuit:
1. Taillights
2. Turn signals
3. Brake lights
4. 4 way flashers
5. Windshield wipers
6. Radio/computer
7. Radio/computer standby/mem
8. Horn
9. Instruments
10. Alarm system
11. Air conditioner
12. Power antenna
13. Power door locks
14. Remote starter
15. Cruise control
16. Power outlet/cigar lighter
17. Other accessory
18. Headlights breaker recommended
I used lot's relays and low power switches for everything.
I know that a lot of these could be doubled up on some fuses but I like to make diagnosis simple. Combining some things like the radio and cigar lighter are no brainers but I wouldn't recommend it for any type of lighting. Backfeeds can be a pregnant dog to find and you can spend days trying to find out why your left front signal comes on whenever you hit the brakes. Dittos about body removal. A human body can't be bent into the proper shape to wire a Bradley with the body on.
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Post by one80two on Oct 26, 2010 8:13:49 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the replies and good info.
JSPBTWN: I like your setup and I and looking forward to making my set up just as clean as yours. Where is that located? Under the dash? The wall by the foot pedals?
I'm just wondering where the best place would be to place it. Obviously, under the dash is nice since it is out of sight, but as everybody knows, sliding in to get under the dash is a major pain in the you know what.
Kyle: Yes, Brad DeMent I am. Like I said, it has been a looooooong time!!! I was thinking more of the 12 circuit, but if the price is right for your 18 circuit, and you have everything, I might be down to deal if you are. Send me a email, with a price, if you are interested.
smyrnaguy: Sounds like you have quite the setup my man! Thanks for the check list as some of those thing you mentioned I don't have, but would be nice to install while I have the chance.
Jeff Troy: Yes, I did drive your cruiser around the parking lot. I real honor, indeed. It was a pleasure meeting up with the "Grandmaster" of the BGT!! A thing I am going to add to my BGT while wiring, thanks to you, is a light in the engine compartment. As the Guinness commercials used to say: BRILLIANT!!
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Post by jspbtown on Oct 26, 2010 10:55:37 GMT -5
It is under the dash. Installing it was easy with the body off. Getting to it for simple fuse changes isn;t THAT bad.
On my Avenger I am putting it in a box in the rear shelf area. I have the pan attached so it makes alot more sense.
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