Working with weatherpak terminals

[DRJDVM's '69]

I just got all my Ridetech stuff to get all my compressor hooked up and alot of the cables will be WAY long for what I need when I mount it all up. They come pre-terminated with weatherpak terminals. Rather than have all the extra length all bundled up and looking like crap, I want to shorten them as needed.

So...

I know I need a special crimper to make the terminals.....any suggested place to get it and the new terminals? I plan on doing more in the future, so I'm willing to invest alittle $$ in getting a good tool.

How do I get the current terminals out of the plastic end "caps" ? I know how to get terminals out of "standard" connectors, but not the weather paks. I'd rather not mangle the plastic caps I have.

[DRJDVM's '69]

So Jegs and Summit have kits...

It looks like some of them have a special tool to remove the terimals.. can it be done without the tool?

Is the Weatherpack and Metripack terminals going to use the same crimper?

[gearheads78]

I have a little tool that looks like a throwing star from Matco tool truck. I use it for all kinds of terminals including weather pac.

edit :I found them on EBAY just do a search wire termial tool

[Jim Nilsen]

Some weather pak terminals can be removed with a safety pin, others need a tube with a spring and some the 2 prong tangs.

I just got done playing with my hego O2 sensor plug and the tool like in the pic didn't work but the safety pin did. I had to bend the tang back to its original place to get it to stay back in but it work good.

Getting the right tool really helps and really getting some light on them helps in seeing the tangs. A small led light is what I used to see them.

Good luck and remember that you can buy new ones and shorten up most of the wires in a harness to begin with. You can also change to a different style connector if you wish. Most connector are a certain shape to conform to factory harnesses.

[Vegas69]

I just ordered a large weatherack kit from Casper electronics. They have terminals capable of 12 gauge wire where Painless doesn't. The kit came with the terminal removal tool for like $75 bucks and included about 20 connectors and a bunch of terminals. I bought my crimper from American Autowire. It's a real GM tool and was pricey but works perfect. I'm sure Casper has one as well. They were very friendly and helpful when I called.

[GregWeld]

Once you Weatherpak you never go back!

They are THE BEST -- but do require special crimpers (Moroso also sells a very nice ratcheting crimper with changeable jaws so you can do weatherpak - spark plug wires and regular crimps!)... and require special tools to work with pin replacement etc.

What I like the most about them - I can do TWO 4 (pick a number here) place connectors - in the same harness next to each other - and I can REVERSE the male/female connectors - so that there's no way you could connect them together incorrectly. Lights and fans - pumps etc -- all weatherproof - locking - and mix up proof... can't beat that combo.

[WSSix]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Once you Metripack you never go back!

Fixed it for you

Seriously though, both weatherpack and metripacks are great for the exact reasons Greg listed. Metripack 150's are what is used by GM on all modern cars. You really don't see weatherpack any more but they aren't bad. Metripacks are just smaller and handle the same size wires. The only bad thing about metripack are the different combinations within the 150 family. You have sealed or unsealed. But you also have push to seat or pull to seat. Pull to seat can be a pain to deal with when trying to remove the terminals. Then you have the different gauge sizes. So you may end up with a rather large assortment of connectors and pins to make it all work. It's worth it though. Make sure you get quality crimpers and removal tools and your life will be much easier.

For you guys that have businesses, try Terminal Supply or Power and Signal for your connectors and such.

[GregWeld]

Thank you for fixing my mistake! I wasn't even sure how the h*** to spell it.... LOL

I'm not sure if what I have are the WP or MP's --- but whatever they are - I sure prefer using them over the old stuff. I agree with you -- you get a huge assortment of gauge terminals and silicone boots etc - but they're worth it! The only problem I have is with my old eyes -- sometimes trying to see the wire actually go in the terminal can be a real pain! I've also -- FINALLY -- gotten used to (habit) of slipping the silicone on the wire BEFORE crimping.

Here's a question for you! I have been crimping the silicone "boot" on the wire... so that it's held on the wire via the crimp.... I saw this in a factory version I took apart - and copied it. Is that correct?

I also hold the terminal in the crimper -- and then load the wire into the terminal... otherwise they're just too small and my fingers suck!

Any hints or tricks you have up your sleeve and care to share??

[DRJDVM's '69]

While researching the weatherpack stuff I found this site..
http://www.whiteproducts.com/faqs.shtml

It has some pix of the connection and has a link to instruction on using their crimper.

So based on this page, yes..... you do place the rubber seal into the crimp. With their instructions, they also place the terminal into the crimper first and then feed the wire into it.
http://www.whiteproducts.com/pdfs/T-...20w-photos.pdf

[Vegas69]

What did you think that second clamp was for Weld?