No sweat Rick. 
Wiring radios
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Wiring radios
First time on the board and I'm really glad to find it!
Question: I'm installing CB and Ham radios in my 2001 F-250. Been doing some heavy looking but can't seem to find a way into cab thru firewall from engine compartment. I want to wire direct to battery and not have to drill any holes if possible.
Appreciate any suggestions/ideas.
Thanks,
Duncan
Question: I'm installing CB and Ham radios in my 2001 F-250. Been doing some heavy looking but can't seem to find a way into cab thru firewall from engine compartment. I want to wire direct to battery and not have to drill any holes if possible.
Appreciate any suggestions/ideas.
Thanks,
Duncan
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Welcome to FTE. I believe there are some wires already ran thru the firewall for this type of use. look under the steering wheel area where the fuse panel is there should be some wires there then trace them back to the other side under hood near master cylinder. hope this helps. i'll try to find a pic.
Manny
Manny
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From: Victoria Canada
Duncan,
This is what you're after............
These wires are located outboard of the master cylinder......
And you'll find the other ends inboard of the park brake pedal.....Sorry about the quality, hard place to get my big a** into.
Sorry for jumping on your post, Manny, but I'm tryin' to get my count up to catch haroutd!
Rick
This is what you're after............
These wires are located outboard of the master cylinder......
And you'll find the other ends inboard of the park brake pedal.....Sorry about the quality, hard place to get my big a** into.
Sorry for jumping on your post, Manny, but I'm tryin' to get my count up to catch haroutd!
Rick
Last edited by Karic; Sep 26, 2003 at 05:15 PM.
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
I chose NOT to use the factory pass=thru wires for my tri-band radio because they are too small gage. Also, they are too close to the PCM (engine computer) for my comfort. I ran a (fused) line from the battery. To the right side of the Passenger footwell, below the heater/ac case there is a rubber plug that goes thru the bulkhead (firewall) I just poked a small hole in the rubber w/ a punch, then forced the wire thru. You don't even need a grommet. I chose this route beacuse it is the most direct to the battery, ond its physically separated from the engine wiring. I don't know if the RF could cause trouble w/ the PCM, but I want to minimize the risk.
mike kb6ohm
mike kb6ohm
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From: Alexandria, KY USA
I ran my power wires from the lug bolt on the front of the power distribution box next to the master cylinder. You can easily run the wires through the firewall by drilling a small hole in the plastic plug behind the brake booster, above the streering column.
Bluehawk
Bluehawk
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Thanks for the Info!
Manny, Rick, Lugnut and Bluehawk - thanks for the info. This is a big help. I agree about the power for the multi-band rig and will use the route you describe to get to the battery. I'll use the factory installs for lower amperage of the CB and 2-meter FM.
And Rick, thanks for the pictures. You're right about getting yourself in a postion to be able to do anything under the steerwheel area. I'm 6'5" and finding it harder as I get older to fold-up like I used to do.
Thanks again,
Duncan
WD5IKY
And Rick, thanks for the pictures. You're right about getting yourself in a postion to be able to do anything under the steerwheel area. I'm 6'5" and finding it harder as I get older to fold-up like I used to do.
Thanks again,
Duncan
WD5IKY
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
DuncanE:
Were you able to find the rubber plug I was talking about? I went out and looked, and it is actually a bit behind the right kick panel. I had the panel removed when I ran the wire because I ran wires under the pass. door sill to the radio mounted behind the back seat. You can't see it from under the hood because of the a/c case. I can't remember for sure if I visually saw it by crawling underneath, or if I just fed the wire up from inside the cab. I put some pics in my gallery, but I gather they are supposed to be hidden if they are not pics of an entire vehicle, but I dont know how people are supposed to see them. (still learning how to use the gallery)
mike
Were you able to find the rubber plug I was talking about? I went out and looked, and it is actually a bit behind the right kick panel. I had the panel removed when I ran the wire because I ran wires under the pass. door sill to the radio mounted behind the back seat. You can't see it from under the hood because of the a/c case. I can't remember for sure if I visually saw it by crawling underneath, or if I just fed the wire up from inside the cab. I put some pics in my gallery, but I gather they are supposed to be hidden if they are not pics of an entire vehicle, but I dont know how people are supposed to see them. (still learning how to use the gallery)
mike
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Mike,
The rubber plug was pretty much right where you described. I fed wires through and they came out below A/C case. Short run to the battery and VIOLA! Power to the big radio. Also ran my #6 ground wire through the same port and found a convenient grounding lug right above the A/C case, so that all worked out very well.
Then, I located the factory wires up by the master cylinder as Rick had describe. Found those and their corresponding pairs on the inside by the brake pedal. Will wire the two smaller radios using those wires.
So, thanks to the help of the good folks on this board I was able to get all that done this weekend.
Duncan
The rubber plug was pretty much right where you described. I fed wires through and they came out below A/C case. Short run to the battery and VIOLA! Power to the big radio. Also ran my #6 ground wire through the same port and found a convenient grounding lug right above the A/C case, so that all worked out very well.
Then, I located the factory wires up by the master cylinder as Rick had describe. Found those and their corresponding pairs on the inside by the brake pedal. Will wire the two smaller radios using those wires.
So, thanks to the help of the good folks on this board I was able to get all that done this weekend.
Duncan