DS-2 Coil, painless DS-2 harness

I’m trying to learn how to do the DS-2 swap from a DS-3 EEC-4 computer, may need family or friend help, or may take it to a shop. But I figured out I’ll need a coil as well.

Thoughts on quality coils that work well, or some to stay away from?

And while I’m here, how does the painless DS-2 wiring harness connect to the already existing harness.

It has 3 connections, 2 for the ignition box, one for the distributor. Does it have to be spliced in?

I can't definitively answer the question as I've not installed a Painless DS-II kit.  And I didn't find a link to one in a quick search.  But my understanding is that it is pretty much plug and play.  The connectors on it plug into connectors on your truck that are already there.

However, part of the engine harness also includes the oil pressure and water temp wiring, and those are in way different positions depending on which engine you have.  So the only way Painless could make it universal is to give you enough wire for those to get you to the farthest point where that sensor could be.  And if your engine has that sensor closer you'll have to double the wiring up and zip tie it, or shorten the wiring.

As for the coil, you do NOT want to go with a hotter coil.  The DS-II module was not designed for anything but the stock coil, and if you go with a hotter coil you could burn the module up.  Just put a replacement coil in for a DS-II system and it'll work fine.

I'm actually just getting ready to order this kit myself, along with the 3G Alternator wiring harness.

Lots of info on the Painless webspage. Click on Install Instructions for a PDF manual for the kit install.

https://www.painlessperformance.com/wc/30812

The "Painless" harness is not specifically made for our trucks, so it is not a true plug and play like a factory harness would be. It is a universal harness designed to replace an older points style ignition on *any* vehicle, so some cutting and splicing will be required.  

I had one of those before I found an original DSII wire harness from a 1983 F150, which was a true plug and play.  But they are getting hard to find these days.