safe place to drill through firewall

[JayDubya]

I wanna run a big ol' wire through the firewall for sub power. I'm out there poking around and getting dizzy, when it occurs to me that some of you here may have already pioneered a good spot. So I'm asking... Is there a known, "safe-from-drilling-into-anything-dangerous-or-costly", "easy-to-get-to-from-the-engine-compartment", place on the firewall in the left footwell area? From the engine bay, the area around the hood-release cable is bare, but under the dash, the cable disappears into no man's land. Who is going to save me some grief????

[LEVE]

Where will the sub amp(?) be located?

[timelessbeing]

Where will your sub be?

[webcat]

mines a 2002 astro , if you drill through the fire wall you should use a sleeve around the drill bit so the bit dont go very far on the other side.
Theres E6000 glue bonding the wire to the hole so it dont bounce around and become frayed (home made grommet)

[JaxSPL]

How big of wire you talking about? Where is your amplifier going to be located?

I ran my 4/0 under the van. Right down the frame and tried to tuck it away as much as possible form any moving parts in the engine area. It enters the van right by the driver side rear tire well.

Quick, simple, and don't have to worry about drilling into anything except the back floorboard.

[timelessbeing]

How big of wire you talking about? Where is your amplifier going to be located?

I ran my 4/0 under the van. Right down the frame and tried to tuck it away as much as possible form any moving parts in the engine area. It enters the van right by the driver side rear tire well.

Quick, simple, and don't have to worry about drilling into anything except the back floorboard.

That's what I was thinking. You don't have to worry about hiding the wire inside the van.

[Jasen]

My amps are on the drivers side back by the wheel well. In the 2nd pic on the left you can see the front of the wheel well vers side

[JayDubya]

The amp is going to be in the cubby hole right ahead of the fuel filler behind the driver's seat. I haven't nailed down the exact location of the "Death Box" yet. You guys have got me thinkin' about just running it underneath & back up. For some reason, I didn't even consider it as an option, but it's just too simple to NOT do it that way. Thanks.

[Jasen]

I've got 3 RCA's, the remote wire, 14ga. and 16 ga. for the drivers door speakers, running under the door sill cover along with the OEM wiring, there ain't much room left for a 4ga. wire

[JayDubya]

I was going to run 6 gauge, but I scored too good of a deal on a killer amp so I can't see starving it. I'll probably run 4 or 2 gauge.

[timelessbeing]

Jasen's got the right idea there in the photo, except it's still too exposed for my liking. One stray rock and you have an electrical fire on your hands. I would put it more towards the inside, or tuck it in up higher OR perhaps through the subframe if that's possible.

[LEVE]

Jasen's got the right idea there in the photo, except it's still too exposed for my liking.

I agree. May I suggest a cure? One thing you can do is use 1/2" ABS or PVC pipe as a conduit, as well as a cover for the wiring. It's easily worked with as well as very tough stuff. Just cut, fit, run the wire and then strap it to the underside of the body and it's going to keep the enclosed wiring free from nicks/cuts, dirt and debris. It's a whole lot better than plastic spiral wrap.

One stray rock and you have an electrical fire on your hands.

To counter this problem... fuse the line at the power source and the problem goes away.

[Jasen]

Thats as high as I could get my impact driver up there to drive in the screws.
I live the PVC idea. With a heat gun you could bend and mold it to fit nicely.

[JaxSPL]

I've thought about the PVC pipe, but at the time couldn't see trying to get one big enough to run 4/0 hidden good enough. Plus, one day the van will have a ICELED Ufo underbody kit (little over $900) under there.

I haven't had any problems with the way my wire is installed right now. It's been like this for 3+ years. Of course, welding cable has a pretty thick casing on it that is heat and oil resistant.

fuses? Who uses fuses? hehehe. I can't find a holder big enough for my wire so I haven't installed a fuse. Plus, I'd need to get a fuse of about 380 to 400amps.

[JayDubya]

. I can't find a holder big enough for my wire so I haven't installed a fuse. Plus, I'd need to get a fuse of about 380 to 400amps.

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-EWFH-Sing ... y_e_text_b

http://www.amazon.com/PACK-ANL-FUSES-GO ... 968&sr=1-5

[JaxSPL]

Thanks Jaydubya, but.. the holder will not hold 4/0 welding cable. May work for the op of the topic, but won't for me. My power wire is about as big round as a quarter, or bigger.

[94 Van Guy]

Just a crazy thought,


4/0 cable with no fuse, OK, If there was ever a short, I don't think I would want anything that could burn if a short were to happen. PVC would be out IMO, but steel conduit would be all that I would use.

Like I said "Just a crazy thought." Keith