Battery cable routing?

[ThomD]

I'm going to put my National Luna Portable power pack in the foot well of the second row of seats on the passenger side. I need to run the heavy cables to the main battery.

Does anyone have an suggestions on where/how to run the cables. The obvious solution is drill a hole in the floor and run the cables along the frame into the engine compartment, but I hoping somebody can offer some insight into any non-obvious aspects of the job.

 

[RVR2RSQ]

I have nothing to offer, but I am interested. I am creating my own powerpack (battery, marine box, solenoid) and am curious how others have run the cable to the back seat.

Brian

 

[Schattenjager]

I've thought about this too - only running my HOT lead to the very back of the 80. There are two ways, as far as I see it - to do it well - One is to run it outside, along the bottom of the floor / frame. If it is done correctly then there should be no issues with 'hang ups' or damage. There seem to be a few spots to run the wire back into the rig - but where you're thinking may very well require a hole and a rubber grommet. IF so, go small as possible. I used silicon to 'glue' a few in - just for extra corrosion protection. This would be much easier to service / change than the second idea of pulling carpet and running it along the transmission tunnel and behind plastic trim. It would keep the wires out of harms way, but again, I don't think there is much harm to be found under the rig either. If your running power and a ground, then the ground can be made close to the power pack, leaving only the power to run to the front. Lastly, I think a quick disconnect type plug is a good idea. If you have to move the unit at all the power can be safely stowed.
I'll be curious what you decide.

 

[ThomD]

The NL PP comes with power and ground cables already connected to a quick release. Inside the truck the trick will be to decide how much slack to leave so I can move things around and still stow it under a seat cleanly as needed. IN the LX470 there is a cup holder that comes out at shin height from the center console. I may try to find a way to come up through there, if there is enough room to hold some extra cable.

 

[gabepari]

Pull the plastic sill covers at the bottom of the door openings. The B pillar cover will also pop right off. Then remove the plastic cover under the A pillar below the dash. There is a little channel that runs along the sill/rocker, perfect for wires. On my 94, there is a rubber grommet on the PS firewall. It has two rubber domed protrusions on it (the forum blocked my other description ) If you cut off the tip of one of the domes you can run a wire through it and then push loom over the rubber and ziptie it in place. No drilling, no wires under the truck and it looks perfectly stock when put back together.

Gabe