Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ultimate DIY Guide to Upgrading 'The BIG 3' Wiring in Your Car or Truck
In this comprehensive tutorial, I walk you through upgrading 'The BIG 3' wiring - the essential alternator positive to battery positive, battery negative to chassis ground, and alternator ground to chassis ground cables in your vehicle's electrical system.
๐ Tools & parts used in this video:
100A,150A,200A,250A,300A ANL Fuses: amzn.to/4kSyctO
Battery Terminal Connectors for Ring Terminals: amzn.to/45iaAtY
Quick Release Battery Terminals: amzn.to/4vQUkeA
Variable Speed Drill: amzn.to/4o3Wynd
6 Pack Carbon Steel Wire Wheel Set: amzn.to/4o3dnyE
Tesa Tape: amzn.to/4kXirSv
Metal Zip Ties: amzn.to/3GGUyRf
Plastic Cable Zip Ties,400 Pack Black Assorted Sizes: amzn.to/4kS2LQx
3/4" Trunking/Conduit (Sized for 0AWG+Insulation): amzn.to/3Uu4hNO
Expandable Braided Sleeving: amzn.to/4kWespm
[Wiring]
1/0 Gauge Battery Cable Copper Wire, 3FT Red+3FT Black (Small amount, less cost): amzn.to/4o0x9uN
1/0 Gauge Wire(20ft Each - Red/Black) Copper (A lot, but better value): amzn.to/44WbFI5
[Crimping]
Cable Lug Crimping Tool with 170pcs Copper Wire Lugs, Wire Crimping Tool for AWG 10-1/0 (Almost everything you need): amzn.to/4oaIR6e
SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W 122โ-1202โ๏ผ50โ- 650โ๏ผFast Heating Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun: amzn.to/4lGxSzx
Ring Terminals Only 10pcs 1/0 AWG Battery Lugs: amzn.to/46JoEOD
Heat Shrink Tubing Only 400 Pcs: amzn.to/44Y2zsR
Digital Measuring Caliper: amzn.to/3IH3yWZ
Silicone Paste/Dielectric Grease: amzn.to/46seyS4
WORKPRO Premium Utility Knife: amzn.to/3IL0Dws
#Big3Wiring #CarAudioUpgrade #AutomotiveWiring #CarSoundSystem #CarElectricalUpgrade #AutomotiveWiring #DIYCarRepair #CrimpingWires #FusedWiring #CableTrunking #BatteryGrounding #AlternatorWiring #CarAmpWiring #SoundSystemUpgrade
-----
This guide covers everything you need to know:
- What is The Big 3?
- Why upgrade The Big 3 cables?
- How to locate the BIG 3 cables in your car or truck
- Correct wire sizing guide for safe and efficient power flow
- Step-by-step cable replacement and professional crimping techniques
- Why and how to properly fuse this critical circuit
- Benefits of running new wiring in parallel with existing cables
- Importance of cable trunking and protection
- Tips for ensuring a long-lasting, reliable electrical upgrade
- Whether upgrading for better charging, audio systems, or overall electrical health, this video is your ultimate DIY resource.
-----
[Videos mentioned in this video]
How To Crimp Wires Like a Pro - Ring Terminals, Dielectric Grease, Heat Shrink (Step-by-Step Guide)
youtube.com/watch?v=XdqxDli9SP8
AVOID These Portable 12v Car Heaters ๐ฅ Wire & Fuse Sizing Electrical Circuits ๐
youtu.be/Amb5nLT3pzQ
How to Apply Dielectric Grease: Best Practices and Common Mistakes!
youtu.be/MDfl42Sotsk
-----
Instagram: instagram.com/tutorialgenius
Video uploaded and managed using YouTube Bulk Uploader for the Lazy!
Manage and Auto-Tag your YouTube videos offline... Then upload!
Learn more: ginkosolutions.com/youtube-bulk-uploader
Want to ask a question, perhaps not related to the video? Ask here: asqme.com/@TutorialGenius
I will answer any car mechanic question in lots of detail!
-----
Ultimate DIY Guide to Upgrading 'The BIG 3' Wiring in Your Car or Truck
The car in the video is a Smart FORFOUR PULSE RHD 2006 1499cc (1.5L) 80Kw (454032). However, the procedures shown in the video will apply to most vehicles and applications.
However, the procedures shown in the video will apply to most vehicles and applications.
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!
-
Chapters:
0:00 What is the Big 3?
0:30 Why Do a Big 3 Upgrade?
2:12 The Tools You Need
3:08 Copper vs Aluminum
4:12 How to Locate the Big 3 Wires
8:08 Measuring the Wiring
10:47 Wire Sizing 1
13:53 Wire Sizing 2
17:10 Wiring Size Calculator
19:20 Fusing (ANL and Fusible Links)
26:08 Big 3 Mounting Options
28:05 Crimping Your Own Cables
28:39 Installing the First Wire
32:20 Alternator P to Battery P with ANL Fuse 1
36:06 Trunking/Conduit
37:36 Alternator P to Battery P with ANL Fuse 2
38:17 Battery Terminal Upgrade Options
39:08 Tidying Up
40:22 Battery N to CHassis Ground
41:20 Testing and Summary
42:42 Support Me!
Ultimate DIY Guide to Upgrading 'The BIG 3' Wiring in Your Car or Truck
In this comprehensive tutorial, I walk you through upgrading 'The BIG 3' wiring - the essential alternator positive to battery positive, battery negative to chassis ground, and alternator ground to chassis ground cables in your vehicle's electrical system.
๐ Tools & parts used in this video:
100A,150A,200A,250A,300A ANL Fuses: amzn.to/4kSyctO
Battery Terminal Connectors for Ring Terminals: amzn.to/45iaAtY
Quick Release Battery Terminals: amzn.to/4vQUkeA
Variable Speed Drill: amzn.to/4o3Wynd
6 Pack Carbon Steel Wire Wheel Set: amzn.to/4o3dnyE
Tesa Tape: amzn.to/4kXirSv
Metal Zip Ties: amzn.to/3GGUyRf
Plastic Cable Zip Ties,400 Pack Black Assorted Sizes: amzn.to/4kS2LQx
3/4" Trunking/Conduit (Sized for 0AWG+Insulation): amzn.to/3Uu4hNO
Expandable Braided Sleeving: amzn.to/4kWespm
[Wiring]
1/0 Gauge Battery Cable Copper Wire, 3FT Red+3FT Black (Small amount, less cost): amzn.to/4o0x9uN
1/0 Gauge Wire(20ft Each - Red/Black) Copper (A lot, but better value): amzn.to/44WbFI5
[Crimping]
Cable Lug Crimping Tool with 170pcs Copper Wire Lugs, Wire Crimping Tool for AWG 10-1/0 (Almost everything you need): amzn.to/4oaIR6e
SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W 122โ-1202โ๏ผ50โ- 650โ๏ผFast Heating Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun: amzn.to/4lGxSzx
Ring Terminals Only 10pcs 1/0 AWG Battery Lugs: amzn.to/46JoEOD
Heat Shrink Tubing Only 400 Pcs: amzn.to/44Y2zsR
Digital Measuring Caliper: amzn.to/3IH3yWZ
Silicone Paste/Dielectric Grease: amzn.to/46seyS4
WORKPRO Premium Utility Knife: amzn.to/3IL0Dws
#Big3Wiring #CarAudioUpgrade #AutomotiveWiring #CarSoundSystem #CarElectricalUpgrade #AutomotiveWiring #DIYCarRepair #CrimpingWires #FusedWiring #CableTrunking #BatteryGrounding #AlternatorWiring #CarAmpWiring #SoundSystemUpgrade
-----
This guide covers everything you need to know:
- What is The Big 3?
- Why upgrade The Big 3 cables?
- How to locate the BIG 3 cables in your car or truck
- Correct wire sizing guide for safe and efficient power flow
- Step-by-step cable replacement and professional crimping techniques
- Why and how to properly fuse this critical circuit
- Benefits of running new wiring in parallel with existing cables
- Importance of cable trunking and protection
- Tips for ensuring a long-lasting, reliable electrical upgrade
- Whether upgrading for better charging, audio systems, or overall electrical health, this video is your ultimate DIY resource.
-----
[Videos mentioned in this video]
How To Crimp Wires Like a Pro - Ring Terminals, Dielectric Grease, Heat Shrink (Step-by-Step Guide)
youtube.com/watch?v=XdqxDli9SP8
AVOID These Portable 12v Car Heaters ๐ฅ Wire & Fuse Sizing Electrical Circuits ๐
youtu.be/Amb5nLT3pzQ
How to Apply Dielectric Grease: Best Practices and Common Mistakes!
youtu.be/MDfl42Sotsk
-----
Instagram: instagram.com/tutorialgenius
Video uploaded and managed using YouTube Bulk Uploader for the Lazy!
Manage and Auto-Tag your YouTube videos offline... Then upload!
Learn more: ginkosolutions.com/youtube-bulk-uploader
Want to ask a question, perhaps not related to the video? Ask here: asqme.com/@TutorialGenius
I will answer any car mechanic question in lots of detail!
-----
Ultimate DIY Guide to Upgrading 'The BIG 3' Wiring in Your Car or Truck
The car in the video is a Smart FORFOUR PULSE RHD 2006 1499cc (1.5L) 80Kw (454032). However, the procedures shown in the video will apply to most vehicles and applications.
However, the procedures shown in the video will apply to most vehicles and applications.
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!
-
Chapters:
0:00 What is the Big 3?
0:30 Why Do a Big 3 Upgrade?
2:12 The Tools You Need
3:08 Copper vs Aluminum
4:12 How to Locate the Big 3 Wires
8:08 Measuring the Wiring
10:47 Wire Sizing 1
13:53 Wire Sizing 2
17:10 Wiring Size Calculator
19:20 Fusing (ANL and Fusible Links)
26:08 Big 3 Mounting Options
28:05 Crimping Your Own Cables
28:39 Installing the First Wire
32:20 Alternator P to Battery P with ANL Fuse 1
36:06 Trunking/Conduit
37:36 Alternator P to Battery P with ANL Fuse 2
38:17 Battery Terminal Upgrade Options
39:08 Tidying Up
40:22 Battery N to CHassis Ground
41:20 Testing and Summary
42:42 Support Me!
