Are radio wire harnessess important?

I agree with most, definitely don't cut off the connector.  You can splice in behind the connector without using taps or crimps by what most are saying, strip, poke and wrap the wire around.  Using 3M tape and when all the connections are done, use a few small wire ties, especially where the tape ends will ensure it never comes loose.  I find that if you are going to solder, careful not to do a cold solder joint or where the solder ends, make sure there are no sharp protrusions from the wire or solder because that can eventually come through the tape and short something.  In the end if the factory connector is still in place it makes reinstallation of the factory deck headache free and I always remind my customers to come back for the removal and reinstallation when they are changing vehicles at a small fee.  This way it's almost guaranteed repeat business that is hassle free.Thee #1 tool nut

Thee #1 Mustang nut

I think it's funny that so many condem the butt connectors. The problem you run into with butt connectors is when you use the wrong tool to crimp. If you use the pinch style crimp tools of corse you will have a butt connector that fails. I use the style that has a cup and leg style crimp that positively forces the butt connector together. I agree that the crimp cap is stronger though. With all my crimps the wire will break before the wire pulls out. garranteed!!! If you live in a hot enviroment such as I, you will know the problem with the poke, twist and tape method. Good connection but the tape will always come undone in the 120 temp around here, and that's not taking into account the temp the inside of the vehicals get. But to answer your question: Yes I only use harness unless its absolutely nessisary.(owner/installer)

Chase's Accessories

Ridgecrest, CA

in business since 92

The one problem with using harnesses is when you get a car that has the radio stolen out of it or whatever and someone else has chopped the plug off. Guys who don't use harnesses can tell you without much of a pause what the factory radio wiring is for a Honda, or a Chrysler, or GM etc. Having the harnesses is great but knowing what colours the wires are supposed to be when things aren't working is also a very important skill. Happy Metering Anonymous

I am with Chase.  I live in a very hot and humid envrionment.  Even the best  of electric tape doesn't stay on for long.  Any butt connector that comes of has been improperly crimmped.  Klein crimpers are the best that I have used.  By the way, on the butt connector itself, the side that has the numbers and a small indention on the metal is the side that you crimp on.   It is designed to make a stonger connection.  I am pretty surpised that a lot of shops don't know the proper way to use a butt connector, which is probally why a lot of people give them a lot of crap.  Anyways, the way I see it, there is no real difference in using a harness or hardwiring.  Just be carefull about cutting the harness off of a new car.  It WILL void most warranties.

I'm with the anonymous guy.... when i brough tmy car it already had a cd player in it. but i wanted to put my better one in.. when i took it ouy i noticed that it didnt have a harness on the back of it. so i was like daggg.. then i had to break out the tape and start hardwiring it. it works fine for a while then it started shorting.. then i found out that the switched power had a short... well long story short i got it to work and its kicking now

Using a wiring harness is also a lot quicker because most head units have standardized wire colors and not having to second guess a conection saves a lot of time. I takes me a whole 5 minutes to wire a head unit with a harness.

Newbie logging in looking through the harness convo here. Had an aftermarket stereo stolen out of a 98 neon, and they took the connectors and all. Now I only have the factory Dodge wires to work with. Anyone know what does what? Red=?, RED / White=?, BLACK / YELLOW=?, BROWN / Red=?, Orange=? etc

( 1998 Dodge Neon Stereo Information )Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA