Running power wire through firewall

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

Argh! I cannot seem to do it! I have an '01 Toyota Corolla S (manual) and I'm trying to find somewhere to run the power wire through. It has to be on the drivers side because I don't have enough wire to run it over to passenger. Also, there seems to be some kind of rubber mat that covers the metal behind the petals, and I can't take it off, so I dunno what to do about that. I'm apprehensive about drilling, because theres kind of a lot of thing on the other side of the firewall, and I don't know if I can find a clear shot. Any help? Any other ways to run the cable? It's 8 gauge btw.

Edit: I just found about a 1.5" diameter hole under the driver side mat. It has a rubber plug. Anyone know where it goes/if it can be utilized?

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[cbz32]

I just ran 1/0 ga in my '00 rolla. The hole you're referring to looks like it comes out in the driver side floor. I pulled it and there was some insulation. I personally ran my wire to the driver side wheel well. If you pull the liner there is a large grommet up top and at the bottom of the fender, there is a 3/4" hole with a rubber plug. If you run it through there, it comes out behind the white plastic piece behind the kick panel.

 

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

So the large grommet is on the outside of the vehicle? Or is it in the engine bay? Can you explain where the grommet is?

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

ur only running 8 gauge power wire? what does ur system consist of and whats the possiblility that ur going to upgrade later (most people do whether they say they wont, they will).

i suggest at least 4 gauge just so you dont have to go through this hassle of running power wire again.

i thought id never upgrade and it only took 3 months before i was buying new stuff.

 

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

ur only running 8 gauge power wire? what does ur system consist of and whats the possiblility that ur going to upgrade later (most people do whether they say they wont, they will).
i suggest at least 4 gauge just so you dont have to go through this hassle of running power wire again.

i thought id never upgrade and it only took 3 months before i was buying new stuff.

I have a JL Audio 3W10 v2. It takes 300 watts rms, and I've got a Profile AP700M 500watt mono amp running it.

 

[JUHL 10+ year member]

i had a hard time with mine awhile back, i drive a tiburon.... i ended up sticking it through a hole behind the wheel well cover... hope it helps, good luck

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

I have a JL Audio 3W10 v2. It takes 300 watts rms, and I've got a Profile AP700M 500watt mono amp running it.

see for what ur running right now the 8 gauge is fine, but im willing to bet ur probably going to want to upgrade. ur going to decide you want better speakers in the car, add another amp. then ur going to decide you want more bass, more power. once you add another amp, more power, ur going to need to upgrade to at least 4 gauge.

how new are you to the hobby? if you paid retail for all that, once you realize all the good stuff you can get online for a fraction of the price you are going to want to upgrade. its the nature of the beast. car audio is an addiction haha.

point is running power, ground, rcas are usually the hardest part of car audio and its good to plan ahead and not have to re run your power and ground wires.

 

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

I got all that stuff used for about a hundred bucks. Cables, box and sub were used. The amp is brand new, though.

I dunno, I'm just kinda trying it out. I don't see myself upgrading any time soon, though. Anyway, it doesn't really bother me if I have to rerun it, but just finding the hole in the first place is a *****. That and getting the Head unit out.

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

I got all that stuff used for about a hundred bucks. Cables, box and sub were used. The amp is brand new, though.
I dunno, I'm just kinda trying it out. I don't see myself upgrading any time soon, though. Anyway, it doesn't really bother me if I have to rerun it, but just finding the hole in the first place is a *****. That and getting the Head unit out.

im calling 2 months till you want to upgrade, but good luck. figured id offer the advice.

 

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

Haha, I'll be sure to keep you posted. thanks for the advice. Any other suggestions? I'm going to actually do it tomorrow, so any other thoughts need to be posted asap.

 

[Pioneer~Saturn 5,000+ posts]

Id hav a wire hanger on hand...cut it to about a foot and a half with a hook on one end so you can stab a hole through the insulation of the wire and loop the hook through that so you can pull it through and around stuff easier. Good luck

 

[cbz32]

The grommets are in the wheel well. You'll need to take the wheel off and remove or pull back the fender liner. I don't know about going through the top one, but the bottom hole is in-line to put the wire right down the side sill of the car.

 

[scotchnsoda 10+ year member]

Would it be ok to drill through the plate around the brake pedal?

I'm not really sure whether this cylinder is on the other side of it or not...

 

[Crzy 10+ year member]

drill through the firewall in any spot that is clear of obstructionss, get a grommet and silicon it all if you like after the wire is ran

 

[sdmtnbiker420 10+ year member]

see for what ur running right now the 8 gauge is fine, but im willing to bet ur probably going to want to upgrade.

LISTEN TO THIS MAN

I too started with just a JL 10W3 and 8 gauge....

as soon as i added a 4 channel amp for the mids and highs, i was spending another full day ripping out the 8 gauge and installing 4 gauge....

Today i have 4 channel and 2 10's

GO WITH 4 GAUGE THE FIRST TIME - even your measly JL W3 will appreciate it - DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME EVEN IF YOURE 120% SURE YOU WONT NEED TO!! CHANCES ARE YOU WILL UPGRADE!!