DIY: How to make your own ground wires.
How to make your own ground wires.
I wrote this post over a year ago for a different forum. I should have posted here a long time ago. I'm not a big fan of the connectors I used in this write up but there are hundreds of different connectors out there for you to choose from.
There are many reasons to upgrade your car’s grounding system. Adding more electrical loads, such as amplifiers for a sound system or electric fuel pumps, create more draw. Often, stock ground systems are already maxed out and could use a little help.
I’m not here to sell you on the idea or debate if you should add to the stock grounding system or replace the stock wire completely. A quick Google search will give you more reading than you will ever care for on that subject (search for ‘big three wires’). Also, finding the points where you want to attach the ground wires to is completely up to you. You don’t have to use the stock location every time. What I want to show you is how to make these wires blend into the engine bay.
For this project I used a 4 gauge wire that I used before on a past project. Read that as “free”. TechFlex Clean Cut (1/4” for 4 the gauge), heat shrink (1/2”), and various ring terminals.
Measure the amount of wire you need and cut the wire to length. Installing the ring terminal is up to you. Crimp it or solder it. And then slide the TechFlex on.
Use the heat shrink to secure the TechFlex and cover the ring terminal joint.
Slide the rubber protector over the end.
Look at these slick wires.
Then go install it.
Here is a little more info:
TechFlex Clean Cut 1/4” - 10' for $5.30
3/1 heatshrink tubing 1/2" - 1' for $1.35
4 AWG black power wire - 1' for $1.95
Gold Ring 4 AWG 3/8" - 2 Pair for $4.24
And some links:
https://www.wirecare.com/
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/html/index4.html
http://www.parts-express.com/home.cf...TOKEN=60855882
There are many reasons to upgrade your car’s grounding system. Adding more electrical loads, such as amplifiers for a sound system or electric fuel pumps, create more draw. Often, stock ground systems are already maxed out and could use a little help.
I’m not here to sell you on the idea or debate if you should add to the stock grounding system or replace the stock wire completely. A quick Google search will give you more reading than you will ever care for on that subject (search for ‘big three wires’). Also, finding the points where you want to attach the ground wires to is completely up to you. You don’t have to use the stock location every time. What I want to show you is how to make these wires blend into the engine bay.
For this project I used a 4 gauge wire that I used before on a past project. Read that as “free”. TechFlex Clean Cut (1/4” for 4 the gauge), heat shrink (1/2”), and various ring terminals.
Measure the amount of wire you need and cut the wire to length. Installing the ring terminal is up to you. Crimp it or solder it. And then slide the TechFlex on.
Use the heat shrink to secure the TechFlex and cover the ring terminal joint.
Slide the rubber protector over the end.
Look at these slick wires.
Then go install it.
Here is a little more info:
TechFlex Clean Cut 1/4” - 10' for $5.30
3/1 heatshrink tubing 1/2" - 1' for $1.35
4 AWG black power wire - 1' for $1.95
Gold Ring 4 AWG 3/8" - 2 Pair for $4.24
And some links:
https://www.wirecare.com/
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/html/index4.html
http://www.parts-express.com/home.cf...TOKEN=60855882
Nice write up though..... +1 for you
Crap! I did at one time.
When I order wire, I usually order a lot of it. I'll try and find my favorite site for wire but I think the link is on my other computer that is dead right now. The wire is cheap. The heat shrink is cheap. The TechFlex is cheap. The ring terminals you choose are usually the only costly part at up to $5 a pair. If you get 10' of wire you should be fine. If you get more, you'll have extra for the next project.
Do me a favor and know what you are grounding and why. Don't ground something that doesn't need grounding (like something mounted to a big plastic part that isn't grounded from the factory).
When I order wire, I usually order a lot of it. I'll try and find my favorite site for wire but I think the link is on my other computer that is dead right now. The wire is cheap. The heat shrink is cheap. The TechFlex is cheap. The ring terminals you choose are usually the only costly part at up to $5 a pair. If you get 10' of wire you should be fine. If you get more, you'll have extra for the next project.
Do me a favor and know what you are grounding and why. Don't ground something that doesn't need grounding (like something mounted to a big plastic part that isn't grounded from the factory).
Just placed my order. Ended up being 24.80 with shipping 
I already have tons of heat shrink, I will buy terminals at my local Radio Shack. In all under 30 bucks, not back. I am doing red Tec-Flex with black terminals.
I already have tons of heat shrink, I will buy terminals at my local Radio Shack. In all under 30 bucks, not back. I am doing red Tec-Flex with black terminals.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Delray Beach, FL
Should look gangsta! Let me know what the measurements are.
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I'm going to be honest with you and tell you it was one of the first things I did to the car once it was in the garage. I have no experience with the car without the ground wires I installed.
I'm getting a few pm's on the type of wire I recommend. I like using the streetwires or stinger. I look on ebay first and then link to individual stores. They usually give you a decent deal when you buy in bulk.
Great write up !
Awesome write up ! Couldnt be more self explained... I did this upgrade to the G awhile back, just need to get some Techflex to clean up my install... Also to touch up on the "Big 3 Upgrade" for those of you who are not sure what it is or does, just youtube it ! It's better explained there... great job my friend ! 
Haha that is why I couldn't understand the pricing of Black Betty's grounding wires. I'm sure the product itself is solid, and some work is required to justify some of the cost, but it is very easy to make a cheap set of grounding wires for less than $20. The only thing now is finding out how long of a length I need.