Power line through firewall?

bound4h · 09-22-2006, 09:52 AM

I have a 2003 Explorer Sport and have everything wired except the remote turn-on switch and the AC Power line to the battery.

My setup:
Factory Explorer 6disk headunit
2 JL W6 w/ 2 channel Eclipse amp

My problem:
I bought a low level converter to hook up the RCA plugs to the amp. Now, I need to know where to wire the blue remote turn-on wire to the factory headunit. Which wire do I connect this wire to?

Also, where should I run the power from the amp to the battery? Is there a perfect hole on the driver side firewall I should use? Someone mentioned going through the floor underneath the floor mats?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

jluv · 09-22-2006, 12:52 PM

What size are you runnning? I used 1/0, and couldn't make it come through the firewall cleanly in my 04. Instead, I went to the left of the firewall, through a grommet in the door jamb, back into the cabin, and then ran the wire along the sills with the rest of the factory wiring. You can pop the plastic door sill off, then open up the black plastic square loom underneath, and there should be enough room.

As for hooking up the remote to the back of the stock head unit, I do not know which color is which off the top of my head.

Good luck!

bound4h · 09-22-2006, 01:37 PM

Thanks for the reply.

In your instructions, are you describing the path from the battery through the grommet and into the cabin, or vice versa.

Are you saying you went (with the wire in your hand) up underneath the driver side foot area (to the left of the pedals) and went through the grommet that leads to the door (so technically outside the cabin) then up then towards the engine? I understand your method, but I am unclear as to the precise path, can you expound a bit more?

"I went to the left of the firewall, through a grommet in the door jamb, back into the cabin, and then ran the wire along the sills with the rest of the factory wiring. You can pop the plastic door sill off, then open up the black plastic square loom underneath, "

Thanks a lot for helping.

Mike

jluv · 09-22-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bound4h

Thanks for the reply.

In your instructions, are you describing the path from the battery through the grommet and into the cabin, or vice versa.

Are you saying you went (with the wire in your hand) up underneath the driver side foot area (to the left of the pedals) and went through the grommet that leads to the door (so technically outside the cabin) then up then towards the engine? I understand your method, but I am unclear as to the precise path, can you expound a bit more?

"I went to the left of the firewall, through a grommet in the door jamb, back into the cabin, and then ran the wire along the sills with the rest of the factory wiring. You can pop the plastic door sill off, then open up the black plastic square loom underneath, "

Thanks a lot for helping.

Mike

I'm describing the path starting from the battery. It would make much more sense if I posted pictures, but I don't know when I'll be able to do that. Could be a few days.

bound4h · 09-22-2006, 03:03 PM

That would be a HUGE help. Thank you so much.

davesexplorer · 09-22-2006, 07:55 PM

In my 95 XLT, and again in my 99 sport I used a large rubber grommet by the pedals that already has either the hood release or e-brake ran through it. It was just big enough to accomodate 3- 1/0 wires.

Aero540T · 09-23-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davesexplorer

In my 95 XLT, and again in my 99 sport I used a large rubber grommet by the pedals that already has either the hood release or e-brake ran through it. It was just big enough to accomodate 3- 1/0 wires.

Used the big grommet for the shifter, got my 1/0 and the wire for my siren (alarm) and you can see there's plenty of room. From there it went under the carpet and along the side of the car.

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-23-2006, 11:24 AM

Alternatively, you can run the wire under the body from the hood to a location near your amp. Most of the time there are rubber body plugs nearby, cut a slit in the middle of it and run your wire through. Make sure you secure it to the frame or something similar to keep it away from moving parts.

As for the remote wire, go to your fuse block with a test light. Find a fuse that is only on when your key is on. Pull that fuse, wrap a length of bared wire around one blade of the fuse and put it back in. Easy remote wire.

Aero540T · 09-23-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountaineergree

Alternatively, you can run the wire under the body from the hood to a location near your amp. Most of the time there are rubber body plugs nearby, cut a slit in the middle of it and run your wire through. Make sure you secure it to the frame or something similar to keep it away from moving parts.

As for the remote wire, go to your fuse block with a test light. Find a fuse that is only on when your key is on. Pull that fuse, wrap a length of bared wire around one blade of the fuse and put it back in. Easy remote wire.

You can do that, but with how easy it is to get it through the inside of the car I wouldn't want to even risk putting it underneath unless you really shield it. Just my opinion

**MountaineerGreen** · 09-23-2006, 06:53 PM

Ive been doing that for years now, never a problem. Buy quality wire and use the split flexable wire conduit over places where it may rub. Attach it to many points under the frame with zip ties. Run it through a rubber body plug so the body dosent wear thorugh the insulation.

02_ex_on_dubs · 09-23-2006, 07:03 PM

on both my camaro and my 02 ex i drilled a 1'' hold in the firewall by the pedals for power and ran remote and rca's under dash then under the sills all the way back..

bound4h · 09-24-2006, 06:21 PM

Great, found it. Hooked it all up. What did you guys do withyour old amp and sub? How do you disconnect it? Right now both are hooked up and the new subs arent even "hitting" just vibrating.

Any ideas?

Aero540T · 09-24-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bound4h

Great, found it. Hooked it all up. What did you guys do withyour old amp and sub? How do you disconnect it? Right now both are hooked up and the new subs arent even "hitting" just vibrating.

Any ideas?

what subs and amps did you install exactly?

bound4h · 09-25-2006, 08:38 AM

The same ones that were in my old car, so I know they work (or did work). It's a 2channel eclipse amp and 2 JL Audio W6 12's. I left the wiring exactly the same when i pulled it out of my car.

What about the factory sub and amp? It is still hooked up, how do I unhook it? Maybe the prob?

harry.mchugh · 02-24-2008, 04:57 PM

I have a question about this too. I want to connect the power line into my amp, but i have no idea how. First, what is the firewall and where is it. Are there ports to run wires through or do i have to cut a hole? how hard is this to do, or should i just pay best buy to do it?

drumming1monkey · 02-27-2008, 03:51 PM

the firewall is the whole metal wall between the engine compartment and the cabin. In some cases you can find a hole that something else is running through that still has room, such as the hood release, otherwise you may need to drill a hole just make sure you use something like a gomet around the wire so the metal doesn't cut into your wire.

**Maniak** · 02-27-2008, 05:00 PM

When you run wires through the firewall, use a firewall bushing..

Here is one for 8 gauge wire (they have ones for other sizes, like 4 and 1/0)

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...rewall&tp=2161

~Mark

harry.mchugh · 02-27-2008, 05:29 PM

so do i like pull up the carpet and then drill a hole and run the wires? and is the firewall right behind the pedals? like could i run a 4 gauge wire all the way to the trunk from there? and honestly how difficult is this?

Zelatio · 02-27-2008, 07:42 PM

I found this huge opening with a large rubber piece in place on my 02 firewall. To get a feeling of where this is, you can see the brake pedal lever on the right side extending out to the pedal.

harry.mchugh · 02-27-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelatio

I found this huge opening with a large rubber piece in place on my 02 firewall. To get a feeling of where this is, you can see the brake pedal lever on the right side extending out to the pedal.

wow thats helpful. Ill check tomorrow if theres one in mine. So if theres not, i can just drill a hole pretty much any where there and Ill be able to feed it straight to the battery?

09-22-2006, 09:52 AM	#1
bound4h Wannabe Elite Explorer Atlanta, GA 2003 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Power line through firewall? I have a 2003 Explorer Sport and have everything wired except the remote turn-on switch and the AC Power line to the battery. My setup: Factory Explorer 6disk headunit 2 JL W6 w/ 2 channel Eclipse amp My problem: I bought a low level converter to hook up the RCA plugs to the amp. Now, I need to know where to wire the blue remote turn-on wire to the factory headunit. Which wire do I connect this wire to? Also, where should I run the power from the amp to the battery? Is there a perfect hole on the driver side firewall I should use? Someone mentioned going through the floor underneath the floor mats? Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

09-22-2006, 07:55 PM	#6
davesexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Central PA 2001 F350 7.3 Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,808 Vehicle Specs	In my 95 XLT, and again in my 99 sport I used a large rubber grommet by the pedals that already has either the hood release or e-brake ran through it. It was just big enough to accomodate 3- 1/0 wires. __________________ 2001 F350 Extended Cab Long Bed Lariat 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 1999 Mustang GT 5spd vert

09-23-2006, 11:24 AM	#8
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs	Alternatively, you can run the wire under the body from the hood to a location near your amp. Most of the time there are rubber body plugs nearby, cut a slit in the middle of it and run your wire through. Make sure you secure it to the frame or something similar to keep it away from moving parts. As for the remote wire, go to your fuse block with a test light. Find a fuse that is only on when your key is on. Pull that fuse, wrap a length of bared wire around one blade of the fuse and put it back in. Easy remote wire. __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-23-2006, 06:53 PM	#10
MountaineerGreen Towing Moderator North East Arkansas 2012 F150 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,589 Vehicle Specs	Ive been doing that for years now, never a problem. Buy quality wire and use the split flexable wire conduit over places where it may rub. Attach it to many points under the frame with zip ties. Run it through a rubber body plug so the body dosent wear thorugh the insulation. __________________ -Evan Febuary 09 Feature Truck - Elite Registry - Photo Gallery - Feedback - Go Elite! - My Write Ups - EF Vendors

09-23-2006, 07:03 PM	#11
02_ex_on_dubs Wannabe Elite Explorer Boca Raton, FL 02' xlt Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 177 Vehicle Specs	on both my camaro and my 02 ex i drilled a 1'' hold in the firewall by the pedals for power and ran remote and rca's under dash then under the sills all the way back.. __________________ http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...cture039-1.jpg

09-22-2006, 12:52 PM	#2
jluv Wannabe Elite Explorer DFW, TX '04 XLS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 444 Vehicle Specs	What size are you runnning? I used 1/0, and couldn't make it come through the firewall cleanly in my 04. Instead, I went to the left of the firewall, through a grommet in the door jamb, back into the cabin, and then ran the wire along the sills with the rest of the factory wiring. You can pop the plastic door sill off, then open up the black plastic square loom underneath, and there should be enough room. As for hooking up the remote to the back of the stock head unit, I do not know which color is which off the top of my head. Good luck!

09-22-2006, 01:37 PM	#3
bound4h Wannabe Elite Explorer Atlanta, GA 2003 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the reply. In your instructions, are you describing the path from the battery through the grommet and into the cabin, or vice versa. Are you saying you went (with the wire in your hand) up underneath the driver side foot area (to the left of the pedals) and went through the grommet that leads to the door (so technically outside the cabin) then up then towards the engine? I understand your method, but I am unclear as to the precise path, can you expound a bit more? "I went to the left of the firewall, through a grommet in the door jamb, back into the cabin, and then ran the wire along the sills with the rest of the factory wiring. You can pop the plastic door sill off, then open up the black plastic square loom underneath, " Thanks a lot for helping. Mike

09-22-2006, 03:03 PM	#5
bound4h Wannabe Elite Explorer Atlanta, GA 2003 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	That would be a HUGE help. Thank you so much.

09-24-2006, 06:21 PM	#12
bound4h Wannabe Elite Explorer Atlanta, GA 2003 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Great, found it. Hooked it all up. What did you guys do withyour old amp and sub? How do you disconnect it? Right now both are hooked up and the new subs arent even "hitting" just vibrating. Any ideas?

09-25-2006, 08:38 AM	#14
bound4h Wannabe Elite Explorer Atlanta, GA 2003 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 10 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	The same ones that were in my old car, so I know they work (or did work). It's a 2channel eclipse amp and 2 JL Audio W6 12's. I left the wiring exactly the same when i pulled it out of my car. What about the factory sub and amp? It is still hooked up, how do I unhook it? Maybe the prob?

02-24-2008, 04:57 PM	#15
harry.mchugh Wannabe Elite Explorer Bay Area California 2000 Explorer XLS Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs	I have a question about this too. I want to connect the power line into my amp, but i have no idea how. First, what is the firewall and where is it. Are there ports to run wires through or do i have to cut a hole? how hard is this to do, or should i just pay best buy to do it?

02-27-2008, 03:51 PM	#16
drumming1monkey Wannabe Elite Explorer long island, new york 2001 explorer sport Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 79 Vehicle Specs	the firewall is the whole metal wall between the engine compartment and the cabin. In some cases you can find a hole that something else is running through that still has room, such as the hood release, otherwise you may need to drill a hole just make sure you use something like a gomet around the wire so the metal doesn't cut into your wire.

02-27-2008, 05:00 PM	#17
Maniak Moderator-Stock 91-94 Vail, Arizona 1992 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 10,736 Vehicle Specs	When you run wires through the firewall, use a firewall bushing.. Here is one for 8 gauge wire (they have ones for other sizes, like 4 and 1/0) http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...rewall&tp=2161 ~Mark __________________ Click HERE to see our Explorer Specs

02-27-2008, 05:29 PM	#18
harry.mchugh Wannabe Elite Explorer Bay Area California 2000 Explorer XLS Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs	so do i like pull up the carpet and then drill a hole and run the wires? and is the firewall right behind the pedals? like could i run a 4 gauge wire all the way to the trunk from there? and honestly how difficult is this?

02-27-2008, 07:42 PM	#19
Zelatio Wannabe Elite Explorer St. Louis, Missouri '02 XL Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 119 Vehicle Specs	I found this huge opening with a large rubber piece in place on my 02 firewall. To get a feeling of where this is, you can see the brake pedal lever on the right side extending out to the pedal.