Helping a friend do install on 2003 Explorer Sport Trac: Advice on installation

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

He has an amp & sub w/box he was given by his cousin. I helped him order a 4-gauge wiring kit from KNU last night ($26 FTW). Also went ahead and picked up a wiring harness, dash kit, and OEM radio removal tool from wal-mart.

I've done plenty of my own installs (even on my 2000 Explorer) but every little bit of info helps.

I'm looking for suggestions on routing the wire, via firewall, under carpet, etc. Is there an existing hole in the firewall I can use? I would like to remove his seats altogether and remove the center console, pull up carpet and just run it. I, however, don't know how his car is fastened and am curious if there's an Explorer forum somewhere that would have pictures of the way his vehicle is put together.

Any, and I mean any, advice here is appreciated. I hope to get this done in a matter of hours and input on teardown would be very helpful. Like I said, I mainly just need suggestions or even links to the teardown of this car. I know how to wire, but getting this thing apart quickly is my main concern.

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[pimpedout97x]

explorer sport trac should have the same interior as your 2000 explorer, which is the same as my 97 interior.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I honestly don't remember much about my initial run though. I installed 4 gauge in it YEARS ago (and I no longer have the car) and never touched the major wiring after that. I had only peeled back carpeting in my car and after doing my Civic the correct way (total removal of everything, then lay wire, then put car back together) I vowed I would never "peel" back carpet again. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

My main concerns are:

1. Existing hole in firewall to run 4 gauge through?

2. Teardown of center console

3. Seat removal

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

through the firewall is the best, don't ghetto it by running the power wire around the door opening which i've seen countless times.

 

[pimpedout97x]

seat removal is easy. should be 2 bolts in front, 2 in back, and a 3rd Torx bolt in the back for the seat belt. then just unplug the wire for power seats if it has power, and pull seats out. the backs are a little harder. firewall should have one of those goument things (i know i spelled it wrong, but the little rubber thing that u can just poke a hole in and fish wire through)

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Right, I got the firewall part. I was actually hoping someone could tell me where the hole might be at so I don't have to kill my back trying to find it (I have a herniated disc).

I was hoping I could find a forum dedicated to the Explorer like there is for my Civic. That site saved my life when it came time for my install; it had a complete teardown guide that saved me a lot of stress. Wish I could find the same for the Exploder.

 

[luvinthebass 5,000+ posts]

seat removal is easy. should be 2 bolts in front, 2 in back, and a 3rd Torx bolt in the back for the seat belt. then just unplug the wire for power seats if it has power, and pull seats out. the backs are a little harder. firewall should have one of those goument things (i know i spelled it wrong, but the little rubber thing that u can just poke a hole in and fish wire through)

grommet i think is wut it's calledonder:

 

[pimpedout97x]

Right, I got the firewall part. I was actually hoping someone could tell me where the hole might be at so I don't have to kill my back trying to find it (I have a herniated disc).
I was hoping I could find a forum dedicated to the Explorer like there is for my Civic. That site saved my life when it came time for my install; it had a complete teardown guide that saved me a lot of stress. Wish I could find the same for the Exploder.

http://www.explorerx.com

http://www.explorerforum.com

http://www.fordrides.com

it should be on the drivers side though above the pedals to the left a little (closer to the kick panel) if its like my firewall.

 

[energizedsbs 10+ year member]

where the e brake cable goes through the firewall... poke a hole though that grommet... plenty of room for 4 gauge

 

[pimpedout97x]

thats what it was, the e-brake cable. i knew there was a cable running through it

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Is that easy to spot?

Also, how much trouble is taking out the center console?

 

[pimpedout97x]

its easy to see, easy to poke wire through too.

center console is just random bolts lol, just start unbolting things. i think youd be find with removing just the seats though