For all those with an aftermarket audio system,

where did you exactly run the power wire from the battery into the cab, on which side and any pics?


Was looking at mine tonight, and looks like it will come into the cab by the clutch, then either run it along the drivers side of the cab or up the middle by the stick between the seats.

What have any of you done for that?

 

Here is a pic of what I did:
Let me know if you need more pics.

there is a gromet to put it through



I cut the wire tap



I used hot glue to secure no water would get into the fuse box

 

Just make sure to wire your low level signal wires on the opposite side of the cab from your power wires. If they must cross each other do it at a 90 degree angle.

 

What gauge wiring are you using? I found a hole in the floorboard right below the gas pedal. It's just a bit smaller than 4 gauge wiring. I ran mine behind the fuses but under the master cylinder/brake booster. Just make sure you protect the wiring from chaffing and eventually shorting if you go through any metal hole.

I'm about to run 1/0 gauge wiring, and that will basically require a custom hole somewhere.

Once in the cab, I ran the power wire under the rubber mat to the transmission hump, and basically on the drivers side of that hump all the way to the back.

Signal wires (RCA's) went down the passenger side. I found it's best to place both wires right beside the hump because a large gauge power wire and 3 pairs of RCA's is a pretty big cable to hide. So the hump helps to hide them, plus keeps them from getting trampled on, even though they are under the mat.

 

I'm going to use 4 guage Monster Cable wiring for my application, and yeah I'm using the same opening as pickupman's. Was going to use the PG stuff I had from my car, but, it's a little short for my liking (rather have too much than not enough).

Was messing around w/ running along the outside of the cab, but yeah, too big too hide. When I tore out my floor a few months ago, I ran the rca's and speaker wire along the passenger side of the hump, so i'll prob do the same for the power on the driver side.

 

i'v been haveing problems with my system.... it's the main reson i'm trying to sell it ....i'v rewired everything and it'll work for a few days and then whamm! nothing...so i just took the fuse out and don't bother with it anymore...sorta ****'ed me off.....but how hard is it to take all the carpet up and gdo it right?

 

It's not that hard. Have to take some trim off and take the seats out. Just takes time is all.

I ran my wires on the outside edge of the floor pan in my '92. The 2 guage power cable was run under the truck to behind the seats where I used a grommet in the floor to bring it in for the distribution block.

 

Totally agree. Mine took time, but worth it.


So the wire was exposed under the truck???

Is that safe???

 

The wire was tucked up inside a channel in the floor pan and it ran along under the floor. It went through a grommet into the cab. I think it was like that for 6 years or so, never had a problem.

 

The fuse should make it safe... :) If it shorts, then the fuse should pop. Still don't need to go rock crawling and scraping the bottomside up, but then you have other issues to attend to... :)

Don't forget the black wire loom. Makes it very professional looking if you cover all exposed wiring with the plastic loom. Use wire ties to keep it from slipping.

On my old truck, I had the power wire installed so it was about 6 inches away from the first catalytic converter. The insulation never showed any blistering or discoloration, of course, there was always good airflow right there anyway.

 

Yes, the fuse would prevent anything really bad from happening. However, with two farads of capacitance, 2 gauge wire and a 200 amp fuse, it was still going to do a little welding before it was all over!

 

Where do I look for this channel when i'm under the truck?

Where's the grommet located in the cab?

 

That was a '92, I don't know what the newer ones are like.

 

I ran my 0 gauge power wire thru my firewall.. ended up just drilling my own hole thru it near where the steering wheel goes thru the firewall.. was the easiest thing to do.. no bull shitting trying to find a factor plug that will fit taht size wire!!

 

the blue wire 1/0 awg and the red wire 4 awg

 

I was about to say a 1/0 gauge wire would be hard to find a grommet that would fit, but I guess David disproved that!

I still am hesitant to puncture any holes in my own grommets and boots. I'll probably just drill my own hole. The kit I am getting includes a grommet made specifically to fit a 1/0 gauge wire.