Solder Versus Crimp Auto-Electrical Connectors Series Land Rover

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Just wondering what people's preferences are when you go to do some inevitable rewiring on your Series Land Rover? So Land Rovers that used the Lucas bullet head connectors from factory. Lucas part number 900269.

Different companies sell replacements for the 900269 bullet head connector which can be either soldered or crimped. Or do you go to a Narva or similar readily available set of connectors and bypass Mr Lucas all together.

I have also seen on YouTube and I since adopted a hybrid approach where the Narva style crimp connectors have their insulator sleeve removed and the wire is soldered to the connector. Then heat-shrink insulation is used to finish the job.

So if you were going to do a new fitment or do some rewiring that you want to have a trouble free long life from what is your preference solder or crimp connectors?

Kind regards
Lionel

[gromit]

I've always soldered bullets but... I did get a mate who was visiting from the UK earlier in the year to get a set of bullets, bullet connectors and a crimp tool which he brought with him. As yet I haven't tried them.

Lucas Style Brass Bullet Connector Single Double 4.7mm Connectors & Crimp Tool | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/143253003365?hash=item215a8b5c65:g:YWkAAOSwOfpc3BT V&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8BvgEel6BnnO9%2FCmkwfWUAZe1QV uNqz4CA6%2BhiSelgwWNCR6zvA%2FwlV8XuELEzMYscHTWcUuz FJ%2FEeEAfODm%2BTOsAJD3FauS0lldmQFfE4mswb78uy915yA uAW15iDpypJHkpCKn9vehQCCmDKOhZHNABYtbLoZjziqaStCMA rmrx4u6UfGti17eRaxkVAnI9h78eU8SHMxZM4rsU%2BInegY1f gOo2Py%2Bf5P0AaNEcTpOXMSUxTQlmN2CxxClV%2Fmz42xqA87 D8V2l3o8d6rgjDztJ7f3AqcUJdfqEo3e3EdgBDXOuFaby2G1wa bUedrjFOA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Cp2I_IYg)

I dislike the brightly coloured connectors that a lot of people use (colour = wire size). Easy to source, easy to use but look out of place.
I've sourced eyelet connectors and Lucar spade connectors that have a separate rubber sleeve. They look more 'period'.
Try Autosparks in the UK.

Colin

[drfish]

+1 for soldering the older style bullet connectors. It seems that’s how the we’re done originally (at least on the cars I’ve worked on) and for the most part are still intact after 60-odd years, which is a good sign. Easy to do as well…

[Lionelgee]

I've always soldered bullets but... I did get a mate who was visiting from the UK earlier in the year to get a set of bullets, bullet connectors and a crimp tool which he brought with him. As yet I haven't tried them.

Lucas Style Brass Bullet Connector Single Double 4.7mm Connectors & Crimp Tool | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/143253003365?hash=item215a8b5c65:g:YWkAAOSwOfpc3BT V&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8BvgEel6BnnO9%2FCmkwfWUAZe1QV uNqz4CA6%2BhiSelgwWNCR6zvA%2FwlV8XuELEzMYscHTWcUuz FJ%2FEeEAfODm%2BTOsAJD3FauS0lldmQFfE4mswb78uy915yA uAW15iDpypJHkpCKn9vehQCCmDKOhZHNABYtbLoZjziqaStCMA rmrx4u6UfGti17eRaxkVAnI9h78eU8SHMxZM4rsU%2BInegY1f gOo2Py%2Bf5P0AaNEcTpOXMSUxTQlmN2CxxClV%2Fmz42xqA87 D8V2l3o8d6rgjDztJ7f3AqcUJdfqEo3e3EdgBDXOuFaby2G1wa bUedrjFOA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Cp2I_IYg)

I dislike the brightly coloured connectors that a lot of people use (colour = wire size). Easy to source, easy to use but look out of place.
I've sourced eyelet connectors and Lucar spade connectors that have a separate rubber sleeve. They look more 'period'.
Try Autosparks in the UK.

Colin

Hello Colin,

You will be disappointed when you go to use those crimp pliers. They only squash the bullet flat - much like putting them in a vice and squeezing them. The 'proper' crimp pliers provide a hex finish. Here is a pair from Bonneville Shop accessed 29th August 2023 from, https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/fZsAAOSw1qhj69wN/s-l64.jpg worth $217.79 + $65.55 (Freight) Australian dollars.

I bought a set just like your mate gave you and I was very disappointed with the pliers. I then figured I could by a lot of solder for $283.34 needed to get a set of the hex finishing crimping pliers. I checked numerous online forums about fitting the Lucas bullet connectors and different types of connection - solder or crimp. There are a lot of complaints about the lack of effectiveness of the non-hex crimping pliers. There were some comments that even the hex fit crimping pliers need to have the work face fine tuned otherwise they crack the bullet connector by squeezing them too much.

I should have gone to these forums before buying the kit! Lesson learnt. There are a number of YouTube clips about how to solder the Lucas bullet connectors too.

Kind regards
Lionel

[gromit]

When I got my mate to get the kit I was more interested in replenishing the stock of bullets & connectors.
It looks like the crimp tool crushes the middle of the bullet, I'll have to try one. I guess it will depend on the hole size through the nipple and the wire size being inserted, crimp/crush too much and it'll split.

I've been soldering them on from my motorcycle days in the 70's so no need for YouTube videos.
I also worked in an electronics factory and was taught how to solder. It was interesting going to Polytechnic and being taught how to use heat sinks on resistors as you solder them in place, nothing like that is done in mass production.


Colin

[Lionelgee]

When I got my mate to get the kit I was more interested in replenishing the stock of bullets & connectors.
It looks like the crimp tool crushes the middle of the bullet, I'll have to try one. I guess it will depend on the hole size through the nipple and the wire size being inserted, crimp/crush too much and it'll split.

I've been soldering them on from my motorcycle days in the 70's so no need for YouTube videos.
I also worked in an electronics factory and was taught how to solder. It was interesting going to Polytechnic and being taught how to use heat sinks on resistors as you solder them in place, nothing like that is done in mass production.


Colin

Hello Colin,

I also worked as a Trades Assistant at an electronics repair shop. Then soldering connections with a different company that made crush sensors that warned of collapses at underground mines. I love the smell of hot solder in the morning, it smells of ....

Kind regards
Lionel

[gromit]

I love the smell of hot solder in the morning, it smells of ....



It smells of medical problems in the future.....

No fume extraction in my day but standard practice now.

Colin

[BradC]

I love the smell of hot solder in the morning, it smells of ....

Rosin flux. My grandfather spent his life around that stuff and died at the ripe old age of... oh no, wait. He's just turned 102.

Lead, Arsenic, DDT, Nitrocellulose lacquer, Toluene, Benzene, Contact Cement..... All stuff I found in his shed when we moved him out last year and chemicals he's used frequently over his numerous careers. I reckon he'll live forever because he's already embalmed, but if he eventually pegs it they won't need to cremate him. Just chuck on a match and he'll self immolate.

[Phil 850]

I use the hex crimp tool I bought with the bullet terminals in this kit.
Medium Bullet Crimp Set with Tools (https://www.autosparks.co.uk/electrical-components/bullets-connector-sleeves/medium-bullet-crimp-set-with-tools)
The bullets have different size holes for different wire sizes.
Providing you use the right bullet for the wire the Hex crimp tool does a brilliant job and it all looks original.

Phil