How To: Run Wires Through the Firewall

[rjb619]

So a few people have asked me about my CCT install and how I got wires into my cabin. So heres a write up about how I got into the cabin. For a good write up on the CCT install Maddad did a write up that I followed.http://www.custommagnums.com/forums/...installed.html

You will need:
Soldering Iron
Rosen core solder
adjustable wrench
butt connectors
terminal connector
electrical tape
(i think thats it)

Now for a bunch of pics.

First and foremost! Make the yappie little dog quiet.
Next, Grab beer.

I then pulled the door sill off to get the carpet pulled back. You will need to pull two plugs out to get the carpet pulled back. one is black the other is white both about an inch in diameter they are there simply to hold the carpet inplace. BE CAREFUL when you pull them out you could damage the plug.

Now how to get through the firewall. Without cutting anything! Theres a hole for the hood latch cable. There is a rubber boot that you will have to pull out from inside. Comes out pretty easy and once I had all the wires ran I just pushed it back in and it seals like its supposed to.


I ran my wires along the crossbar towards the back of the engine compartment and down the passenger side to the positive terminal.


After that I got everything wired up and started installing the switch.
Grab beer.

I had a few issues with the switch. I had a mini switch that I wanted to use but I managed to break it in the process of mounting it. You will need to solder! I cut about 6 inches off the ends of the wires and soldered them to the switch.

After getting the switch soldered I attached the wires with butt connectors drilled a hole under the parking break release and put the switch in. Only I found that there are supports(plastic) reinforcing the piece I mounted the switch that got right in the way. So I took the dremmel to it and got one of the reinforcments out of the way.

Put everything in and back together and buttoned it all up. Now its all purtty

And there you have your finished product!

I think this thread is in the right spot if not, sorry, do what you gotta do.


Hope this helps if not or you have more questions pm me.
-Bob

[MagWag]

nice write up, I prefer to take the 3 screws off the bottom of the lower dash(the piece u have ur switch on) it then pulls right down as the tops held by push pins, then I can reach more easily, and if that doesnt do it, I pull the Whole gauge surrounding piece to get a lil MORE room, but I've ran ALL my wires throught the same place in the firewall just in the other direction in the engine compartment(across behind the grille and up the drivers fender). Just another way, no better no worse, just different!


Beans to ya buddy!

[rjb619]

I wanted to take the whole panel off but didnt know how exactly and I was able to do without so I didnt go looking. Thanks for the beans!

oh yea youll also need about 20 feet of wire. 20 feet was just and I mean JUST enough for me so you should probably be safe and get a few extra feet. I used 14ga wire.

[rjb619]

Hey whoever gave me beans and didnt add their name I would like for you to let me know so I can appropriately direct my thanks...

[Magmania]

Great job on the write up and wiring.

I wanted to take the whole panel off but didnt know how exactly and I was able to do without so I didnt go looking.

Looking is not always required.
Most of the time it's just a matter of asking if it's been done before.....
Help me dismantle this (MadDad?)

[Cujofreak]

Sweet, thanks very much, that is going to come in VERY handy for me today. Great work, definitely bean worthy!!

Thanks!!

[rjb619]

Glad I could help.

Thanks for the bean!

[Cujofreak]

Do you happen to have a picture of where you ran the wires through from the engine compartment?
Just so I can see what it should look like in the engine compartment

[Cujofreak]

Never mind..........I'm an idiot, haha.

[rjb619]

lol yea the hole is up there. I can take a pic with the boot back in and the wires through if you want.

[hoppinhemi]

I did my lighting off the power to the headlights. Turn lights on, grill goes on, turn lights off, grill goes off. Just splice the wire to the headlight soldier and tape.
Just my 2 cents.
Nice write up though.

[Cujofreak]

Isn't that illegal to have your grille lights on while driving? Or is it okay if they're white?

[chance6384]

depends on where you live but I think I would wire them to cut off seperately....just might come in handy

[NOTPAID4]

I bought, about six months ago, a bulldog alarm system for my SRT but to my surprise when I looked under the hood..... I had NO room for the HORN/SPEAKER. Guess one day, I'll pull the bottom pan off and see if there is some place down there to mount it! Thank God, it's an easy hook up though!

[mod4]

Thanks. I knew there was a spot I could run wires thru but wasn't sure where it was located (didn't really look yet either). lol This helped cut out some wasted time looking.