Hey, I wanted to know if anybody knows the best place to run the power wire through the firewall. I am having trouble to find a place. Should i just drill a hole through it? I drive a Thunderbird by the way. Thanks
Replies (7)
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 00:45:41
I always drill a hole somewhere near the brake pedal area. then i use a grommet so that the metal wont slice it up and ground it out.
Quadruple check then do another double check before you drill anything as you may drill a hole and it would end up cutting something or behind somethng else. I dont however suggest the passenger side as thats usually where the blower is for your heater.
Some people actually have luck running smaller wire (8 guage) through where the door hinge is. I dont suggest that either.
Then after I rip open half the floor I run it either along the side or down the middle depending on where the amp is or the shortest distance making sure that if RCA cables cross its at a 90º angle and never running parallel.
But you know all that so why am I telling you right?
RTM
did i make any sense at all? hehe
mschrems on 06/10/2003 07:51:31
Thanks RTM, but when i drilled the hole i found that my firewall was at least 18" thick, hollow in the middle, will a grommet still work? I guess i need to get a longer drill bit too!
Swez on 06/10/2003 08:50:31
In the same area mentioned by RTM, there are often knock out holes or grommets with other wires passing through the firewall to interior. Sometimes these can be used.
Some cars have a knock out where a clutch pedal would normally be installed. This can be used as well... but use a grommet to prevent chaffing of the wire against sharp metal as well.
Before you start this project, give more details on that vehicle Year and model and see what ttocs has to say. He is our resident install GURU and may have a few simple solutions for your application.
Swez
mschrems on 06/10/2003 12:39:24
i have looked fore grommets and other places but i can't find any. my car is a 1993 ford thunderbird lx. i hope this can help. thanks
Swez on 06/14/2003 13:43:33
Bump ^
ttocs: Any comments on this thread ? THINK
Pretty thick air space there friend... the fire wall I mean.
If you don't have a drill bit that is long enough to go all the way through both halves of the f-wall, can try drilling from one side first, then use a long narrow punch rod to "dimple" the other wall surface.
If the punch goes in with out any obtruction, then give it a few sharp raps with a hammer. Then go look for the dimple mark left by the punch. If all is clear of electrical wires etc, drill a 2nd hole at the punch site, install one grommet per hole and uses a coat hanger as a feeding rod, to pull your wire through both holes/grommets.
Please wait for ttocs' recommendations before you try this one. He is a pretty savvy installer and may have other suggestions.
Swez
ttocs on 06/14/2003 17:04:01
ya I have a couple of recommendations here. First, you need to be very carefull(obviously) when drilling into your firewall. I can guarantee that your firewall is not "18 thick, so where does the hole go? A thunderbird will have been set up for a stick shift so there should be a place towards the outside of the vehicle, a little up from the break pedal that would be used to run the clutch cable. If there is not a grommet or knock-out there, there will be a small nipple to show you where to drill.
When drilling it is important to know where it is going to come out at. I normally use the steering column as a point of reference. Look at the place you want to drill and figure out if it is 3" over, 5" up or so. Now look at the other side and and find that point. If you cannot see that point, do not drill. If you are in doubt, drill a small hole first, stick a piece of wire or shine a flashlight through it to see where it is.
Relax_The_Mind on 06/17/2003 19:27:49
18" firewall...yes i can also guarantee that. unless however you bought that car at a police auction. be suprised what you find in them cars.
RTM
ps. i always used good ol wire hangar or a flashlight like ttocs does...
Replies (7)
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 00:45:41
I always drill a hole somewhere near the brake pedal area. then i use a grommet so that the metal wont slice it up and ground it out.
Quadruple check then do another double check before you drill anything as you may drill a hole and it would end up cutting something or behind somethng else. I dont however suggest the passenger side as thats usually where the blower is for your heater.
Some people actually have luck running smaller wire (8 guage) through where the door hinge is. I dont suggest that either.
Then after I rip open half the floor I run it either along the side or down the middle depending on where the amp is or the shortest distance making sure that if RCA cables cross its at a 90º angle and never running parallel.
But you know all that so why am I telling you right?
RTM
did i make any sense at all? hehe
mschrems on 06/10/2003 07:51:31
Thanks RTM, but when i drilled the hole i found that my firewall was at least 18" thick, hollow in the middle, will a grommet still work? I guess i need to get a longer drill bit too!
Swez on 06/10/2003 08:50:31
In the same area mentioned by RTM, there are often knock out holes or grommets with other wires passing through the firewall to interior. Sometimes these can be used.
Some cars have a knock out where a clutch pedal would normally be installed. This can be used as well... but use a grommet to prevent chaffing of the wire against sharp metal as well.
Before you start this project, give more details on that vehicle Year and model and see what ttocs has to say. He is our resident install GURU and may have a few simple solutions for your application.
Swez
mschrems on 06/10/2003 12:39:24
i have looked fore grommets and other places but i can't find any. my car is a 1993 ford thunderbird lx. i hope this can help. thanks
Swez on 06/14/2003 13:43:33
Bump ^
ttocs: Any comments on this thread ? THINK
Pretty thick air space there friend... the fire wall I mean.
If you don't have a drill bit that is long enough to go all the way through both halves of the f-wall, can try drilling from one side first, then use a long narrow punch rod to "dimple" the other wall surface.
If the punch goes in with out any obtruction, then give it a few sharp raps with a hammer. Then go look for the dimple mark left by the punch. If all is clear of electrical wires etc, drill a 2nd hole at the punch site, install one grommet per hole and uses a coat hanger as a feeding rod, to pull your wire through both holes/grommets.
Please wait for ttocs' recommendations before you try this one. He is a pretty savvy installer and may have other suggestions.
Swez
ttocs on 06/14/2003 17:04:01
ya I have a couple of recommendations here. First, you need to be very carefull(obviously) when drilling into your firewall. I can guarantee that your firewall is not "18 thick, so where does the hole go? A thunderbird will have been set up for a stick shift so there should be a place towards the outside of the vehicle, a little up from the break pedal that would be used to run the clutch cable. If there is not a grommet or knock-out there, there will be a small nipple to show you where to drill.
When drilling it is important to know where it is going to come out at. I normally use the steering column as a point of reference. Look at the place you want to drill and figure out if it is 3" over, 5" up or so. Now look at the other side and and find that point. If you cannot see that point, do not drill. If you are in doubt, drill a small hole first, stick a piece of wire or shine a flashlight through it to see where it is.
Relax_The_Mind on 06/17/2003 19:27:49
18" firewall...yes i can also guarantee that. unless however you bought that car at a police auction. be suprised what you find in them cars.
RTM
ps. i always used good ol wire hangar or a flashlight like ttocs does...
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