1997 X - Running wires through to doors - Tutorial

[MountainsTew]

I was at work today talking with one of the guys that used to run the car audio dept. and I asked him about running wires through the door of a 1997 Explorer and how hard would it be. His reaction made me uncomfortable, and he said that actually running the wires through is nearly impossible because the drivers door has a 'bulk head connector' which is basically a plug for all the wires that go through the door. His alternative sounds easy enough to give it a shot, and I will be posting some pics of this tutorial eventually. Here's the method:

First, remove the stock speaker and the kickpanel to access the body at the door hinge where the wires go through to the the bulk connector plug. Drill a hole big enough for the speaker wire and some breathing room beneath the connector plug on both the door and the jamb behind the kickpanel and into the cab. Place grommets on both holes and when you run the wire through, take a straight cable-tie and some heat-shrink tubing to the part of the wire that will go through the jamb into the door. This will help stiffen the wire and aid in allowing the wire to slide in and out with the door opening and closing. This is only necessary on the front friver's door where the bulk connector is, but it almost sounds easy enough to do on all four doors! Again I haven't tried this procedure, but will be within a week or two and I will post pics of my attempts as soon as I get them uploaded.

Anyone heard of this or tried this??

Stu

 

[Alec]

Instead of trying to go through the metal, I just went from behind the dash panel to behind the door panel. doesn't look as pretty, but it was easy and it works.

 

[Big04pimpin]

I dunno about the 97 but 93's are really hard because they are all taped up but it just takes a little bit of work.

 

[aldive]

Why do you want to use new wire? How much power are you going to run to the doors?

 

[MountainsTew]

well only the front two will be rewired. im sending 160W to each channel but the speaker wire is like the thickness of a garden hose almost (Monster Cable 4 conductor) Theres no way i could use the little rubber boot on the passenger side and the driver side has that damn junction box

 

[threetoone]

Wiring problem

Hi all, first post
I have '96 XLT, and my driver's door speaker keeps cutting out. It's weird; it'll be fine for weeks, then I'll hit a bump or something and it cuts out. If I turn the volume WAY up on the stereo, it usually comes back on, but next bump - out. Anyone have this problem?

I'm pretty sure it's a wiring issue, because I had a car stereo guy replace the speaker, and it still cut out. Then we tried replacing the whole stereo/amp, and it still did it. The guy said he couldn't work on the wiring on that door because of the connector hub.

Any tips on what to look for, where to check, or who might be able to work on this for me?

Thanks!
Bryan

 

[MountainsTew]

Re: Wiring problem

Originally posted by threetoone
Hi all, first post
I have '96 XLT, and my driver's door speaker keeps cutting out. It's weird; it'll be fine for weeks, then I'll hit a bump or something and it cuts out. If I turn the volume WAY up on the stereo, it usually comes back on, but next bump - out. Anyone have this problem?

I'm pretty sure it's a wiring issue, because I had a car stereo guy replace the speaker, and it still cut out. Then we tried replacing the whole stereo/amp, and it still did it. The guy said he couldn't work on the wiring on that door because of the connector hub.

Any tips on what to look for, where to check, or who might be able to work on this for me?

Thanks!
Bryan

I shorted mine out once... A new hub and labor cost me $180 at the dealership. Though on yours, it may just be a shorted pin or bad contact... I'm gonna start wiring early next week... i'll keep you guys posted