Where do you run 4 gage power wire?

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I'm going to be installing another amp in my 2000 Gran prix. I already have an older Sony 60W amp (bridged to 120w) running a sub. I am planning on adding an Alpine MRV-345 amp to drive the front components (infinity refernce) and back 6x9's. I was told that I should run 4 gage cable from battery to trunk and then use a dist. block to run 8 gage to each amp.

Question is: where do you run 4 gage power cable to hid it? Do you have to run it under the carpet? I usually run my cable under the door step trim...but 4 gage is soo big. Also, do you think I need 4 gage or could I just run an 8 gage back there and "jumper" the power from 1 amp to the next?

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

If you truly don't have any room under the trim, you could always snake a piece of rubber, weatherproof conduit or pipe under the chassis, secured with clamps or ties. The conduit would protect the wire from the vagaries of the road.

 

[iagrdshaka 5,000+ posts]

run it under the carpet...just make sure the cable isnt pinched anywhere

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

Thanks Guys. I'll check under the carpet.

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

on my 04 chevy I have my 1/0 gauge ran through factory clips on the underside of the truck. The wire just clips right in and then i secure it with Cable ties.

 

[john#21 10+ year member]

I actually just ran a 4 guage power kit in a 2000 grand prix. I drilled a hole in the firewall right behind the radiator overflow bottle. You have to pull the firewall insulation back abit but it puts the wire just behind the glove box. I used a cheap scoshe kit from walmart, it was like 20 bucks.

Running the wire was easy to. I ran it under the carpet just underneath the door trim area. 1. it won't fit in the trim area recess, 2. my rca's are in there anyway so they stay seperated this way. If you look there is a ton of room along the seat rails.

When you get to the back seat, take it out ( back seat) and run it up the side and into the trunk, piece of cake.

John

go to circuit city and buy one of these too, if you still have a side post set up.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Tsunami-GM-Side-Post-Battery-Terminal-BT806S-/sem/rpsm/oid/71675/catOid/-13121/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

JOhn 21, thanks. I was planning on running the 4 gauge through the firewall grommett. I've currently got some smaller gauge wiring for a sub there. I was just gonna pull that out and pull this through as I pulled that out. Will the 4 guage not fit through that grommet? I worry about drilling holes in the firewall of my car. What do you seal it with?

Good info on running it under the carpet. I'll look at that also.

Finally, do I need that post extender? I just ordered a 4 guage amp kit from Darvox. It comes with a ring terminal on the end of the 4 guage. I figured that would work.

 

[john#21 10+ year member]

You'll have to look at your terminals. Mine is that **** side post set up so i needed to use one of those adapters.

I couldnt find an existing grommet that i liked, thats why i drilled one. I actually didnt seal it with anything because there is a firewall insulation pad covering it up. It seems to me if there is alot of water getting back there then i have other problems to worry about other than it leaking. My wiring kit did come with a hard plastic grommt to use for the drilled hole though, saved me a trip to home depot.

Alternatively you could use silicon to seal it up.

John