Getting wiring behind the Westy cabinets

[87RedWesty]

I've got an 87 Westy, and recently installed a Propex and a gas detector under the back seat. At this point they're just wired up into an extension of the wiring of the galley light (which, because I installed the GW auxiliary battery kit, is fed off the wire that runs from the battery under the driver's seat to the nest or wires at the under dash fuse box). But this current wiring isn't ideal, and I'd like to put them on their own circuits. So I'm installing a Blue Sea fuse box on the cabinet behind the driver's seat. The question is how to get the wiring from under the back seat up to the back of the driver's seat. I figured that if I pull the refrigerator, I can easily pass it behind the back of the cabinet. But pulling the fridge wasn't on my list of desired things to do. Is there any way to run the wires without pulling the fridge? I tried wiggling a coat hanger back there and it didn't seem to get me anywhere.

(For Bonus Points: I've thought of taking the red wires out of the little existing two-fuse box on the wall behind the driver's seat, and using the new fuse box for them instead. The smaller wire seems to come directly from the battery, so that makes sense. But the fatter wire comes from a relay under the seat, so I figure I should leave it alone. And comments on these?)

Thanks!

[adamjjohn203]

Just pull the front panel off the fridge, the lower grille below the fridge is attached to that. It would probably be easier to run the wire with your hand under there.
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'87 Westfalia
2000 Volvo V70 "eVOLVOd"

[Westified]

You can also remove the city water inlet on the side of the van. Look in there, you may be able to pass a wire behind the fridge that way. You should probably get a fish tape to pull the wire. Just make sure it doesn't rest against any hot part of the fridge if you still have your propane fridge.
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1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022.

[Westified]

Here is a picture with the fridge removed. Hope it helps.

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1984 Westy Wolfsburg, owned since 1987. FAS 2.0 NA engine conversion in 2022.

[Captjon1959]

You said you don't want to remove stuff, but when you do here's what I did to pass wires.

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1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec

[87RedWesty]

As Westified suggested, I pulled the outside city water hookup loose and managed to push a coat hanger (a poor person's fish tape) behind the insulation and up front to where I could grab it through the hole where the water pipes come in under the sink. It didn't work from there to fish around for the back exit (where the piping comes through the wall under the horizontal cabinet doors), so I pulled loose the other water hookup and managed from there. Fairly simple, actually, and much easier than pulling the fridge. Thanks for everyone's help. My wiring will be safer now, making me less a candidate for posting pictures of a burned up van.

[Timwhy]

I used a 36" zip tie to pull wires thru.

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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[thatvwbusguy]

I usually go with the big zip tie approach as well. I keep a couple 48" long zip ties tucked away behind the rear seat so I know where they are when a new project comes up.

I use a small carbide bit in my Dremel tool to make a 1" slot in the end of the cable tie that allows me to pass the electrical tape through before I tape the wire to it. This will allow you to pull wires without the annoyance of the tape sliding off and leaving your wire half way along your intended wiring path.
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Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[chojinchef]

I ran wires behind when I had cabinets off. Recently needed to run additional wires for MIL light and Oil warning lights. I used a typical wiring tape used by electricians. When I did, I also pulled a piece of nylon twine through, so next time I pull a wire, I have the twine to do it. Just need to remember to always pull a new piece of twine through and you are set for the life of your van.
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Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory.

[dcaver01]

Wondering how this has worked out for you all with running wires behind the fridge? Any issues ?

Is there any concern about the heat from the refrigerator LP exhaust? I know that flue get's pretty hot and don't want to melt any wires I run back there. I'll be running some 4 gauge battery cables along with a 3 other wires.

[Timwhy]

[dcaver01]

[bobbyblack]

DanHoug did this, I'd assume it would keep anything from getting too hot? Not exactly why he did it, but I am going to next time I've got mine out. Seems like a great thing to do for a variety of reasons.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9445702

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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Vanagon Nut]

[Wellington]

See the water hose to the faucet in Westfield's photo.
I replaced my water hose by attaching a new one to the grungy old one and pulled it through.
I'm sure you could attach some wires to a new hose and pull it all through