Doing Big3... Use Welding Wire?

[Jasonb61 10+ year member]

Hey everyone.. We just installed a system in my wife's 00 Durango and I'm wanting to do it on my 01 Dakota soon. I'd like to go ahead and do the "Big 3" to both our trucks and someone has suggested using welding wire? Will welding wire be just as good? Any down-side to using it? Thanks!

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[BushJ311 5,000+ posts]

I have heard of people using it before. Should not be a problem.

 

[Jasonb61 10+ year member]

I have heard of people using it before. Should not be a problem.

Ok, well we are going to upgrade her system soon and I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't hinder quality over regular audio wire. I can't see a reason why it would but ya never know

 

[PSturmer 10+ year member]

welding wire is thick stranded (doesnt bend as well) and it is very ugly. other than that it will work

 

[pr-festiva 10+ year member]

the only difference ive seen so far is looks and the thickness of the insulation.

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Welding wire is identical to the wire that we use with monster cable, etc it's not much thicker in diameter at all. You'll be fine. I used it on alot of my installs since I sell it

 

[WrenchGuy 10+ year member]

No worries. I only changed mine due to Fashion.

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

welding wire is thick stranded (doesnt bend as well) and it is very ugly. other than that it will work

I think u might be thinking of something else like industrial grade? Unless I am

 

[J31Rob 5,000+ posts]

almost positive MOST welding wire has thicker & less strands than car audio wire.

& usually has a thicker jacket due to the insulation, which makes the wire less flexible, have less strands / have larger diameter / lower strand count.

but it works. so use it. you could won't hear or tell a difference.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Yes, welding cable uses has fewer strands than the high-quality audio power cable. But the welding cable is still very fine stranded, bends easily, and Ive yet to come across an install that needed more flexibility.

Remember, when we talk about 'welding cable' we are referring to the cable running to the stinger (the main cable to the actually welding tip you hold), which gets dragged around alot and man handled, so they make it very flexible. Its only considered coarse strand here because its being compared to audio cable which is almost ridiculously fine stranded.

Show me an install that required the power cable to be tied into a pretzel with 1" radius curves and I'll show you an install that requires Kicker's high dollar cable. Otherwise, welding cable will work just as well, for a fraction of the cost.

Im not greatly concerned about the jacket. I always run any substantial sized cable in conduit of some sort anyway.

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

Yep, I run 2/0 welding wire thru my entire setup on my Jeep and my Corvette. I kinda like it better because it will never fade or discolor, and highly heat resistant.

 

[bk12321 10+ year member]

yes it will work just fine

doesnt look as pretty tho... but ur wallet might thank u

 

[casper97ta 10+ year member]

I'm running 2/0 welding wire in my Dakota for the big 3 and everything else. Its flexible enough and works great.

 

[dak0ta_g33k 10+ year member]

Hey everyone.. We just installed a system in my wife's 00 Durango and I'm wanting to do it on my 01 Dakota soon. I'd like to go ahead and do the "Big 3" to both our trucks and someone has suggested using welding wire? Will welding wire be just as good? Any down-side to using it? Thanks!

didn't know you're over here too //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Jasonb61 10+ year member]

didn't know you're over here too //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Ya, but I'm more of a lurker lol. My wife just got a system in her Durango so I'll probably be a little more active here.