2006 Orion

[02HoWaRd26]

Man I get itchy just looking at that haha.

That’s one of many reasons to allow the pro’s to handle the glass work lol

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Just gotta finish mounting them and then get the shifters installed, not excited about the shifter part as i really didn’t pay attention while removing and hear it can be a bit of a pita

 

[02HoWaRd26]

And Santa came early, mama gets to wrap an empty box for me lol

And heads up got these from the guys at CBM in Rancho won’t find a better deal anywhere, saved over 400$ compared to best boat dealer ..... Teague etc

 

[Kaotic]

Your work has turned out great!! If you are in Havasu this weekend stop on by.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Well i had some time today so started by removing old gauges and cut out all the old wiring then figured may as well see how the new gauges look in there.

They look kinda small, it’s no bezels but i really don’t plan to buy or use bezels that was the intended plan from start. So gotta find more time to build the wiring harness as well buff the shit out of the dash to get rid of the old rings that are slightly visible.

Wish i knew how to color sand and buff better but we will see. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. But thinking a soft sand at 800 then 1200 then 2000 then compound then wax but scared......

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Lame that i basically am just documenting my work for if i ever sell the boat, and not many replies here. But built the main wiring harness, built two like this one, then tied into the center two plugs for tach and speedo, then was able to solder all together and make it a basic simple three wire harness (+ - illuminate) my question (prolly won’t get any help but...) is for my sensor wiring I’m contemplating either use bullet connectors or to use two weatherpacks a 3 and a 4 any advice? Seems boats are all bullets but as most my wiring has all been on offroad trucks and cars it’s always been about the weather and bounce proofing of you’re connections and i refuse to use butt connectors. Will post a pic of the hog trough I’ve removed from under dash when done.

Love Love Love the look of these!!!

 

[pwerwagn]

Not lame at all! Threads like this are the reason I'm on rdp.

Boat is lookin good!

 

[blowncommission]

I agree with pwerwagn. Always interesting to see improvements and builds! keep up the good work

 

[Headless hula]

I don't like to comment because I feel like I'm interrupting the telling of a story. I've read every post doooode. Keep up the good work!




I used packard connectors for my dash wiring. The deutsch connectors are an upgrade in my opinion. Good choice!

 

[jbird]

Following your project too. Keep the posts coming! This is real boating content and the reason I'm on RDP as well. F*ck all the keyboard fights, gossip and callout threads.

I too have my winter boat projects going and your post have given me a couple ideas!

 

[Kachina26]

Typical Needles TY&E. Crying for attention. Yes, we're watching your build. Just keep posting.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Well thanks, just had a few questions but have decided screw it im just going to keep hammering it out same as i do off-road wiring and use all weather pack for my ends. Also while sitting at work have decided I’m just going to rip out all the wiring under the dash and start all over as most looks like a blind 2 year old did the original wiring. Glad the wife has no interest in boating this time of year cause i just want it back together so i can use it but may as well get it right.

 

[wet hull]

Metal Polish works amazing on gel. Gives a deep wet look. Learned that from Kevin at KGM Boats

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Metal Polish works amazing on gel. Gives a deep wet look. Learned that from Kevin at KGM Boats

Any you suggest using? Like the cloth type stuff or what

 

[wet hull]

Briwax Metal polish. I did the whole boat. 1 gallon will be more then enough. I did small hard to reach areas by hand, but used my variable speed 7" polisher with a buffing bonnet. Hard ass work, but well worth it!

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Briwax Metal polish. I did the whole boat. 1 gallon will be more then enough. I did small hard to reach areas by hand, but used my variable speed 7" polisher with a buffing bonnet. Hard ass work, but well worth it!

Gotcha I’ll go look tomorrow for some. Main thing right now is getting the face where the gauges are done as easiest time to do it is while they are out.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Got the dash color sanded and buffed the best i could then gauges mounted.

This rats nest is next to do, will have my last two connectors about 930 am for the gauge wiring then yea I’ll have to dig into that shit mess

 

[pwerwagn]

Looks good! Did you use metal polish?

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Looks good! Did you use metal polish?

I checked everywhere local and found none, so went with 1200 then 2000 then 3m cutting compound followed with fine cut then 3m show shine.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Absolutely hate that all the rockers as well other Power under the helm is fed by a single 30 amped jumper to jumper as well has one ground wire that also splits numerous times so ordered this just now will be here tomorrow just gotta get a bunch of ring terminals cannot wait to dig into the rat nest. Was so not looking forward to it but guess i got myself all hyped now that I’ve spent even more on wiring crap.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Well the only thing that was still red was the rocker switches so i got all new k-four blue rockers then decided i didn’t like that none of the names on my panel were correct anyway as well with pretty shiny polished gauges well may as well call up Bob at Dana/MWI and have him make me a new panel with all the names how and where i wanted them, pretty stoked can’t lie.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

When ups guy shows up with the hole saw bits you’ve been waiting on at 5:30 what do you do

4.487 hole saw
4.636 gauge

Bust out the sanding wheel i guess

Next for that side of dash have Pedro @ Saleen fill the two 2” holes

 

[coolchange]

I like those Attwood panels. I got one for my dock banger.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

Loving your gauges and switch panel, they look great!

I went with a glass dash on my boat but if I had gone traditional gauges, my dash would hopefully look like yours!

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Loving your gauges and switch panel, they look great!

I went with a glass dash on my boat but if I had gone traditional gauges, my dash would hopefully look like yours!

Yea i contemplated the Merc display but I’m really a gauge guy like the way they look and well it’s what I’m used to. If i had the money to build a brand new boat, I’d most likely use the new screen but I’d also for sure also have analog gauges.

Read about half you’re build this morning before bed, need to finish reading it you’re doing a killer job and dig the old skool

 

[02HoWaRd26]

A buddy just posted this picture on Instagram of the day these girls were reunited FYI Tim @MaxedOutMarine has the white and red one listed on his site for sale.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Before:

Guess there’s no turning back now.......

 

[02HoWaRd26]

The little things that speak volumes, that polished vs satin, and blue vs red on switch panel made such a humongous difference in my opinion.

The wiring is one fitting for weatherpack away from being done then time to go ziptie crazy then I’ll update with labor and love of pics and details of the actual labor.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Been sick as a dog since Saturday evening so i haven’t been able to touch/finish the wiring which pisses me off, i have maybe 2-3 hours left including reinstalling the side pod and seats so to be so close yet not able to finish has been driving me insane, however can only watch so much stupid television so i get bored and got talking with Bob at MWI/Dana and he had a new but opened Teague billet drive fluid tank laying around his shop as well he and i had been going back and forth about a set of headers. Well he tossed a deal at me i could not would not pass up so now I’ll truly be doing the final step for this year as I’m now broke, really only other thing I’d like to do is interior and it looks good enough specially with young kids. So I’ll be getting a set of the Torque Flow’s in polished from MWI which is rad cause when Martin first built this boat for the 2006 boat show he used All Dana products throughout the boat so it’ll keep the boat along those lines.

Going to get the boat 100% back together then take to the launch ramp and do a short clip with the start up and idle of the boat with the factory manifolds then I’ll do a bunch of photos of the swap then take boat back to the ramp and hopefully get in the same or as close to same angle and distance to the boat for the start up and idle of Torque Flow’s. I’ve searched all over the internet to find a sound difference between stock and these with zero luck so hopefully be able to help the next guy out.
The boat ran plenty fast and good before imho but sounds so pussy and let’s be real stock is just ugly so my major reason for wanting to upgrade these was looks and sound and i already know the looks will be way better just really hoping I’ll be as pleased with the sound as I’m yet to hear or hear from anyone in regards to the sound after the swap.

 

[BLOWN HOWARD]

if you ever need any of the deutch connectors or pins let me know I have full supply of that stuff

 

[02HoWaRd26]

if you ever need any of the deutch connectors or pins let me know I have full supply of that stuff

I most commonly use the delco weather packs for ease and fact i can get most of it locally. Would like to figure out the deutch connectors but tmi they only go to a 4 prong right?

 

[wet hull]

Cant wait to see your wiring all done. This is the only area left on my boat that I never touched. Re-rigged every other inch already. You have now forced my hand and I will be copying you once my snowbirds exit my house.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Cant wait to see your wiring all done. This is the only area left on my boat that I never touched. Re-rigged every other inch already. You have now forced my hand and I will be copying you once my snowbirds exit my house.

Biggest issue was simply the fact that who ever was wiring these Boats was not a wire guy, he was a connector guy lol. The helm had “1” power wire feeding in then split then split then split with butt connectors as well where it went into the switch panel was All powers and grounds just leap frogged from pin to pin. With the utilization of that K-Four 12 pole Power and ground distribution block i now have the one + & - going to that then each pole throughout has its own +&- as well fused now. Was completely shocked the whole helm was powered and fused by one, yes One 40a fuse. Yea would have been a serious meltdown before that blew now all but ign fuel switch and hatch (15a on those) are on separate 5a will see that they all flow fine as i don’t have the schematic for each i was going to go 10a but said F’it I’ll start low low and be safe.

 

[pwerwagn]

Dash is looking great dude!!! I like it.

I need to pull my dana switch panels out and figure out some of my switches. I have 2 acc switches that do nothing, but my stereo is wired off the port engine key, which runs the hour meter.

Thanks for keeping this thread goin!

 

[wet hull]

Biggest issue was simply the fact that who ever was wiring these Boats was not a wire guy, he was a connector guy lol. The helm had “1” power wire feeding in then split then split then split with butt connectors as well where it went into the switch panel was All powers and grounds just leap frogged from pin to pin. With the utilization of that K-Four 12 pole Power and ground distribution block i now have the one + & - going to that then each pole throughout has its own +&- as well fused now. Was completely shocked the whole helm was powered and fused by one, yes One 40a fuse. Yea would have been a serious meltdown before that blew now all but ign fuel switch and hatch (15a on those) are on separate 5a will see that they all flow fine as i don’t have the schematic for each i was going to go 10a but said F’it I’ll start low low and be safe.

I have done this already in my engine compartment. That was a rats nest of wires and impossible to trace. Any issue with a piece of equipment and I was dead in the water. Each piece is now on its own fuse with the shortest run of wire possible and the right size gauge.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I have done this already in my engine compartment. That was a rats nest of wires and impossible to trace. Any issue with a piece of equipment and I was dead in the water. Each piece is now on its own fuse with the shortest run of wire possible and the right size gauge.

and NO butt connections lol. While rewiring the sensors etc a few had to get a fresh run from the rear as there were butt connections on those runs as well. If a wire is 1/2” too short on a 10’ run I’ll still do a new run I’d be more ok with them eliminating those from the stores than to see a group of liberals at the bottom of the sea!

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Dash is looking great dude!!! I like it.

I need to pull my dana switch panels out and figure out some of my switches. I have 2 acc switches that do nothing, but my stereo is wired off the port engine key, which runs the hour meter.

Thanks for keeping this thread goin!

Thank you, as i said i have most of it done but really don’t want to post the pics until it’s done under there. This flu or whatever it is isn’t letting up at all going insane being stuck in bed

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Ok i kinda summed up the major issue with the posts with WetHull another Orion brother, the issue was lack of skill imho and a mentality of “who cares it works and isn’t seen anyway”
But the single 10g power wire going into the helm was then split to numerous connections via butt connectors and had a single inline 30a fuse before first split. It was just a rat nest plain and simple.

Got a 12 fused link distribution block from K-four which come to find out is actually manufactured by BlueSea. Knowing i was going to run individual power and ground to each of the 8 switches i basically just built an extra long harness while on the bench to go to each of the switches

I need to get in and finish wiring the kill switch and rerunning the power and ground for my interior leds then i can add a few more zip ties but basically i am calling it done now!!

And well yea i am just totally infatuated with Blue leds and so so so stoked with how these Livorsi’s shine

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Over all i am super happy with how it turned out won’t say I’d change anything with it because it is done now, but as with every self taught skill you learn as you go and being this is first boat I’ve done i learned enough that i can for sure say i would do things a little different next time but again as i said definitely not enough to go in and make any changes to how it turned out

After:Before
This pic says it all imho

 

[HydroSkreamin]

Wiring is looking great, nice work. That’s what it SHOULD have looked like to begin with!

I think it’s cool you’re going to take the time to do the exhaust comparison, there should actually be more of that from people manufacturing and selling those components, it could actually help sell products.

Get better and giterdone!

 

[wet hull]

Looks great. I know who rigged our boats. The first 4 where done by Rusty, now Ultra when he had his shop in Elsinore. Yours and mine are in that group. The last few where done by Lightning in Riverside. So many great features on these boats. The gelcoat quality, lay up schedule. Boats are solid, but these last few details always drove me nuts and I watched mine get built. If I was not so damn excited to get on the water I would have pressed the issue before delivery.

 

[Singleton]

Great job. The wiring is 1000% better. Love the way the new gauges look, make me want to upgrade mine again

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Looks great. I know who rigged our boats. The first 4 where done by Rusty, now Ultra when he had his shop in Elsinore. Yours and mine are in that group. The last few where done by Lightning in Riverside. So many great features on these boats. The gelcoat quality, lay up schedule. Boats are solid, but these last few details always drove me nuts and I watched mine get built. If I was not so damn excited to get on the water I would have pressed the issue before delivery.

Careful who you tell that Rusty was the one doing them, these days you may get lynched lol. Simply put the wiring alone in my boat and now putting a name to the mess is enough to keep me from ever looking at a current Ultra lol.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

These should ship this week from MWI and i honestly think I’ll be giving this thread a break for a long while, well at least my freaking wallet hopes so...

Oh, shit almost forgot i also have one of these under the tree lol...

But yea i really really think I’m done for a while after this lol

 

[spectra3279]

Ok i kinda summed up the major issue with the posts with WerHull another Orion brother, the issue was lack of skill imho and a mentality of “who cares it works and isn’t seen anyway”
But the single 10g power wire going into the helm was then split to numerous connections via butt connectors and had a single inline 30a fuse before first split. It was just a rat nest plain and simple.

View attachment 608492 View attachment 608493
Got a 12 fused link distribution block from K-four which come to find out is actually manufactured by BlueSea. Knowing i was going to run individual power and ground to each of the 8 switches i basically just built an extra long harness while on the bench to go to each of the switches View attachment 608494 View attachment 608495 View attachment 608496 View attachment 608497 View attachment 608498 View attachment 608499 View attachment 608500
I need to get in and finish wiring the kill switch and rerunning the power and ground for my interior leds then i can add a few more zip ties but basically i am calling it done now!! View attachment 608501
And well yea i am just totally infatuated with Blue leds and so so so stoked with how these Livorsi’s shine View attachment 608502 View attachment 608503

Ya wanna come over and do the wiring on my dash?

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Ya wanna come over and do the wiring on my dash?

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

Lol depending on what All needs done it’s not all that hard but can’t travel, nothing worse then getting somewhere then realizing you need another tool or ..... but i am always game to do side work and know I’m cheaper than any shop. May not be as good as most shops but then i could also be better than a lot of shops lol.

 

[spectra3279]

Lol depending on what All needs done it’s not all that hard but can’t travel, nothing worse then getting somewhere then realizing you need another tool or ..... but i am always game to do side work and know I’m cheaper than any shop. May not be as good as most shops but then i could also be better than a lot of shops lol.

When it comes to the wiring, I'm pretty much one of those , hey it works, let's go to the lake.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[BLOWN HOWARD]

I most commonly use the delco weather packs for ease and fact i can get most of it locally. Would like to figure out the deutch connectors but tmi they only go to a 4 prong right?

No I have them up to 8 i think then they go big round ones way past 8

 

[Kaotic]

Lol depending on what All needs done it’s not all that hard but can’t travel, nothing worse then getting somewhere then realizing you need another tool or ..... but i am always game to do side work and know I’m cheaper than any shop. May not be as good as most shops but then i could also be better than a lot of shops lol.

Ill just give you the keys to the Havasu house, let me know when you are done with my boat and anything else in the garage. Fridge is full of beer and soda, bar is also stocked

 

[02HoWaRd26]

With having all the JL and no one having a billet bezel for them i got talking to Bob at MIW, he said he’d be interested but hasn’t had a reason to buy a remote to make it yet, so i said well shit i still have one in the box as I’m still yet to figure out mount location. So i sent him a remote, should see a product he said give him a week or so, but with the holidays I’m a realist and figure a week or so into January would be perfect.

So anyone interested that has the JL stuff I’ll keep posted when i get the first parts as i ordered 3 in polished when i sent my remote to him. So they will be stocking soon....

Should be similar to the one for this Clarion where it goes up the sides a little should make it look much more fancy fancy imho