going through the firewall

[Hamsterman]

I revently got my stuff to put into my car (neons, amp, fogs... the whole deal or whatever) and I am pretty new @ installing this stuff myself but i don't think it should be too tough. I was wondering though what is the best place to bring the power wire with the switches inside my car. Somebody suggested taking off the drive side fender to get through the firewall- how would i go about this- or is there a better way to get through the firewall without drilling... I have a 99 XLE

[88 LE]

Originally posted by theamazingnate
Somebody suggested taking off the drive side fender to get through the firewall- how would i go about this

Not the fender. The fender liner.

Take off the front driver side wheel and remove the fender liner. You'll see a bundle of wires running through a grommet against the firewall, run your wires through that grommet.

[Hamsterman]

nice nice- what holds the fender liner in- bolts i take it?

[88 LE]

Originally posted by theamazingnate
nice nice- what holds the fender liner in- bolts i take it?

Yup.

Bolts, screws, and clips.

You might also have to remove the mudflap, but its just a few bolts.

[Hamsterman]

sounds easy enough- before i was so ghetto he he- i ran wires up through the hole in the door frame- then out under the hoood and along the weather stripping inside the lining of the engine bay... it serves its purpose for like 1-2 switches- but not like 5 know what i mean

[Luc]

You can also drill a hole through where the clutch would be mounted.

[cmjohnson]

The clutch mounting point is a great place to punch a hole for wiring. It offers very easy access from both the engine compartment and the driver's footwell.

But, I would strongly recommend that you get someone with a suitably sized Greenlee round chassis punch to loan you that punch so you can make a nice neat clean hole....and of course, install a properly fitted grommet in the hole.

It's a major pain to try to DRILL a clean hole through that thin sheet metal and then file the edges smooth. It's worth the effort to get the hole punched instead.

CJ

[Luc]

Or, just get a Unibit. That will easily enlarge the hole.

[Hamsterman]

do any of you guys have a pic of what the hole would look like under where the clutch would be, w/ or w/ out plugging it up?
nate

[tinman831]

just go through the fender liner like 88LE said, that way theres no drilling into your car. thats what i did when i ran my power cable for my amp. no drilling required

[Hamsterman]

i will try that- i just gotta see how much room i actualyl need- since i have amp, fog, underbody, interior, gauge, and that is about it but still a lot of wires to run through

[Stealth]

Originally posted by tinman831
just go through the fender liner like 88LE said, that way theres no drilling into your car. thats what i did when i ran my power cable for my amp. no drilling required

And no sharp edges to run the wires by. If you ever do run them through a sharp/metal hole, I would suggest using caulk so that the wires don't have the chance of getting cut or exposed.

[cheeba]

Can someone tell me how to remove the screw/clip/bolt thingy's that hold the fender liner in place? Do they come out easily? I don't want to break anything so I'm asking before I actually do it.

Thanks.