anybody replaced a full VT wiring loom?

[Longman]

Hi,

I want to put Cruise and power windows in my VT exec, but unfortunately it's one of the models without the wiring already there for either (I've checked the engine bay and dash). Anyhow, I've come across a dirt cheap loom from a berlina in good nick and am just wondering if anyone on this forum has replaced a full engine/dash loom and if so, how hard was it? Anything I should know up front before jumping in? I also have the lux BCM and key but won't do that one myself for obvious reasons.

Cheers!

[jazza15]

Have a search through the forum, particularly climate control conversions. It involves taking out the whole dash and is BLOODY HARD i hear. You might be better off selling the exec and getting a calais/berlina

[Longman]

Thanks for the reply. I have searched and read the climate posts, but none of them have posts from the guys after they've attempted the change. At this stage, All I want is some info on what issues they have encountered with the swap. I know it's mostly dismantling and then plugging it in. I'm not interested in climate, just windows and cruise. I'm assuming that it's best to do it dash side first so the engine bay fuse box can pass through the firewall, as I don't think the under dash fuse box will fit.

[jazza15]

From what I've read on the topic, you're on the right track.
People who have said that they have completed a climate control conversion and therefore full wiring loom change have said that it was probably not worth it and if you want climate control/the upgraded features of the commodore, you might be better off just getting a new car.
Having said that, it would be great to see a walk through on how to do the job, or at least of the wiring loom swap.

[Doctor Bob]

its not a fun job by any means, be prepared to spend *some* time with the dash out

[Astranomical]

The problem with a high level (luxury) loom, is that if i recall, you can't just use some features, you have to install everything (including climate), otherwise you'll have issues with electrical gremlins (lights coming on randomly, windows going up or down randomly, etc). If all you want is power windows and cruise, consider hunting down a loom from an Acclaim or SS - they have cruise as standard, and I'd imagine most would have power windows too. (power windows were optional on the Acclaim, but I imagine most people that bought them would've specced them with power windows)