53-55 rear harness removal

[Paul M.]

Looking for any suggestions on changeing the rear harness on a 54. It is extremely tight over the rear wheel wells. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also looking for an antenna cable for a 54.

Hope everyone has a great Holiday Season. Thanks.

Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: 53-55 rear harness removal

T%he 54 antenna removal and re-installation is a job i recall in a rather hated manner. it was a hell of a job. been 20 plus years since i did it, but as i recall, the factory applied a big glob of bonding agent over top and around the coax cable as it entered the trunk compartment at pass side wheel well. As i recall, had to remove the glob and even then it was a tight fit. can be done though. good luck, mike

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-55 rear harness removal

When I installed a NOS harness in my 55 it was not that bad. Pull the left kick panel , gas tank cover, truck board,disconnect it from the dash then pry out the front and rear rubber grommets and using a thin screw driver plus a hook thing, dig out the original CLAY on both sides between the tank and trunk area. Remember to tie a strong line to the dash end of the harness so as you pull it through the body to again use it to pull the new one back through again. Pull the harness out from the back gas tank area.
Same thing pulling the radio antenna out but remember to disconnect the ground strap under the R/R wheel area.
Getting the radio ground wire back through the slit is the challenge. I found the the repro trunk nut end is not threaded right to screw on to the connecter.

[Paul M.]

Re: 53-55 rear harness removal

Thanks for the info. Antenna coax was easy to remove, its the rear harness that is giving me the problem. Any recommendation on finding a new antenna cable? Mine has been cut on both ends and they are missing.

Happy Holidays, Paul

[Mike M.]

Re: 53-55 rear harness removal

I got my 54 coax cable from jack reeves who has 53 to 62 place, the old john rohner company that specializes if c-1.i have misplaced his catalog. perhaps other member has his phone #. good luck, mike.