Thunder Ranch wiring instructions

[EEricson]

Does anyone here have the wiring addendum from their Thunder Ranch Spyder? My instruction manual refers to a secondary set of drawings or instructions that aren't in the folder. Supposedly this had detail about the color coding of the included wiring harness and which spade ends were supposed to connect to what.

A Beck diagram would probably help too. In fact, any advice from anyone who has actually built one of these is much welcomed.

Hoping someone will step up, otherwise I'll just have to cut all the zips off the thing I have and trace every wire before assembly.

This is the "eat yer boiled peas" part of the job, as far as I'm concerned....

Thanks.

[RBP]

Look under Board Index, Tips, Tricks & Knowledge Read Only. Scroll down 12 threads to the TR Manual. Not sure if that will help you. I have all the manuals and will be happy to e-mail them to you. Just send me your address.

[albaran]

I checked my TR manual and it says to use the VW bug wiring diagram from 1969. There is a wiring diagram for the gauge combo. Let me know if you need that. I used the Painless Wiring universal 21 circuit kit and it worked out ok.

[EEricson]

Thanks, gentlemen. That newer manual might be helpful. Just having the colors of the wires for each gauge terminal is a big help—assuming those remained consistent between the old and new manuals.

But the thing I'm missing is from the Old Manual, where it says "Look at the wire diagrams enclosed to familiarize you with their functions and
look at the function of each loom branch."

Those diagrams, they're not present.

I know I could go "painless" or "VW" or any number of other routes, and I might. But only if necessary, which I hope it won't be, since I'm soooo close: I have the whole TR wire loom, the switches hanging off it, the fuse box attached, all the wires bundled (supposedly) to lead to various parts of the car where wires need to be attached.

And I have some diagrams, of an original 550's wiring, in the original German. Pretty sure that is not the one McBurnie meant to include with my kit.

Al, I will PM you.

[danstern]

Do you think the Vintage Spyder wiring diagrams would be the same colors etc as Thunder Ranch?

[RBP]

Clr1.pdf

(396.46 KiB) Downloaded 245 times

Clr2.pdf

(413.7 KiB) Downloaded 234 times

Clr3.pdf

(369.81 KiB) Downloaded 248 times

Here are the first 3 that I have. Can't load them from one scan as the file size was too big. Would have been easier with an e-mail address. There is a page 4 but max attachments is saying 3. I'm pretty sure this is what I got from Tom McBurnie when I was building my TR a long time ago but could be for Vintage, anyone know? Hope this helps.

[RBP]

Clr4.pdf

(273.96 KiB) Downloaded 235 times

Page 4

[EEricson]

I owe you beers for this, RBP. Maybe a steak.

Can't thank you enough.

[danstern]

Those are not what I have from Vintage, so it looks like you are set !!

[RBP]

Perfect, my first 550 was a TR and my present one is a Vintage. I went down to visit Tom when I was building the TR. It was a long time ago but I was pretty sure those were the ones he gave me when I was there, but I have a lot of stuff from Greg as well. Hope it helps you with sorting it all out. Tom wasn't the best including everything in the manual. That's why I went down there and spent a day at his place of business, have to say he was very good about helping me while I was there. I'll go with the steak!

[EEricson]

RBP: The keys you gave me are correct. I marked about 90 percent of the wires based on it. Only a couple variations between what i have and what you supplied. I am very, very stoked about this, as it means I'll be able to wire the car up in a day or two instead of a week or three. Not kidding about the steak, man.

[RBP]

Cool, I really am happy I was able to help you in your build process. Now if it ever warms up out you and the rest of us might be able to get on the road!

[DannyP]

Rudy, thanks for helping my friend Ed out. You'd meet him if you came down to Carlisle.....Is that gonna happen ever????

His full build pics are over at Speedsterowners.com, and on his blog. So much easier than pics here.

[RBP]

Hi D, I would really love to go down and see some other guys 550's. Tho only one I ever get to checkout is mine!

[DannyP]

There is a dude over at Speedsterowners.com named Iam Ray. He lives in Ottawa and drives an IM Speedster. He is coming and may have a right seat available. It's not too late to come. I could put you in touch. You would be the third Canadian this year. A gentleman named Al is coming from Vancouver, BC. Give me a call, Rudy.

This makes 13 years at Carlisle, and only 1 without a Spyder(2016). But I went anyway.