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Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:15 am

Is there an easy way to run a pair of wires from the engine bay to the cab? I'm installing a DC/DC charger and spent about 15 minutes looking for a place to thread them through without any luck.

I figured I'd ask here before going with the drill a hole/grommet method tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:18 am

Easy way? Yes. Leave the engine cover off and and then lay them on top of the back seat and then run them straight to wherever they need to go.

The less easy way, but more helpful, is you will need to drill a hole/grommet somewhere like you said. Holes already exist in the front and below the rear bench.

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:31 am

I ran a whole bundle of wires underneath the exterior. I have used them for various purposes, mostly exterior lighting. I came up in through the front behind the dash. Can’t remember exactly where, probably with the headlight wires.

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:32 am

You can also feed wires thru the same grommets as the heater hoses that enter on the floor just forward of the shifter base.

Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:35 am

I ran a 5 conductor cable from the engine bay underneath along the Drivers side to come up in the center.
Just in front of the stick shift behind the heater cover there is a oval rubber plug that you can poke a neat hole in and run the cable up to the Dashboard for instruments and such.

Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:39 am

Thanks for the help guys I'll look for the ones in the center near the stick shift/heater hoses/rear bench. If that doesn't work I'll just drill. Wishing everyone a pleasant day/evening!

Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:12 am

loverofpeace wrote: Thanks for the help guys I'll look for the ones in the center near the stick shift/heater hoses/rear bench. If that doesn't work I'll just drill. Wishing everyone a pleasant day/evening!

Do not drill a hole in your Vanagon!

Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:24 am

If your draws aren't heavy, I used a trailer light wire bundle following the factory harness on the left frame rail.

As a bonus they are designed for outside use.

You use the two you need plus you have extras sitting there waiting.

Dave

Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:26 pm

I used an orange outdoor-rated extension cord, plug ends cut off & fished
as described...3 connectors ensconced in multiple layers of protection... 8)

- Dave

Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:21 am

What gauge of wiring are you trying to run? Just control type wires? If you have a 86 or newer with no cruise you might be able to use the the unused wires in the breakout box on the left.

If not there are plenty of unused openings under the van and as others have said you can just follow factory wiring and go right up into the dash.

Some more information may be helpful.

Stacy

Thu Jan 28, 2021 2:43 am

Using two 16mm2 wire (awg 6) wires. Would prefer it to not go through the front of the car as my dc/dc will be behind the drivers seat and would prefer for it to be about 4m one way. Going to the breaker box and back would probably make this a bit longer. Draw should be 25a Max (though constant of 18a).

Checked for holes behind the rear bench as one of you pointed out. Didn't find any there. Will look up front in a few hours when I have more time.

Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:30 am

loverofpeace wrote: Using two 16mm2 wire (awg 6) wires. Would prefer it to not go through the front of the car as my dc/dc will be behind the drivers seat and would prefer for it to be about 4m one way. Going to the breaker box and back would probably make this a bit longer. Draw should be 25a Max (though constant of 18a).

Checked for holes behind the rear bench as one of you pointed out. Didn't find any there. Will look up front in a few hours when I have more time.

Nice sizing, 6 awg is correct for that.

Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:31 am

If you have a deleted rear seat heater (or don't use it and are prepared to delete it) the wiring harness for that gives you three or four lines run from the engine bay area to the dashboard. I used that extensively for "other" wiring runs.

kourt

Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:37 am

kourt wrote: If you have a deleted rear seat heater (or don't use it and are prepared to delete it) the wiring harness for that gives you three or four lines run from the engine bay area to the dashboard. I used that extensively for "other" wiring runs.

kourt

Thanks kourt, this is a european VW Transporter with a hightop conversion so there was never a rear seat heater there.

Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:17 am

loverofpeace wrote:

Thanks kourt, this is a european VW Transporter with a hightop conversion so there was never a rear seat heater there.

Oh well now you have to post some pictures! :D

Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:38 am

Steve M. wrote: loverofpeace wrote:

Thanks kourt, this is a european VW Transporter with a hightop conversion so there was never a rear seat heater there.

Oh well now you have to post some pictures! :D

A few months ago in Sicily:

Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:42 am

Steve M. wrote: loverofpeace wrote:

Thanks kourt, this is a european VW Transporter with a hightop conversion so there was never a rear seat heater there.

Oh well now you have to post some pictures! :D

And one more from the Dolomites (The eastern Italian Alps)

Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:47 am

^^^^ Beautiful!

Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:49 am

Those are good sized wires. There should be no problem running them under the car, but where do you need them inside? If in the front, then you can bring them up and through grommets behind a headlight. If you prime the sides of the drilled hole, there won't be any problem. Or through the areas where the heater valve control cable goes. If under the driver's seat, you can either do the grommet thing or cut the pad under the carpet/rubber in front to make a groove. Tape them down to the metal with strong--Gorilla tape, do you have that?--and relay the carpet. Between the seat pedestal and E brake lever and through into the pedestal cavity.

The ECU grommet in the firewall is large and you should be able to get the wires through there if they are needed in the back.

Another possibility is through a new grommet drilled into the PS snorkel. Do it on the forward side and high enough above the engine deck for easy access with the drill. Then it can run behind any panel you may have and exit at the firewall.

Don't be afraid to drill. This is a vehicle being modified to give you what you want--not some show piece museum 100% original item.

Duncan

Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:14 am

loverofpeace wrote: Using two 16mm2 wire (awg 6) wires. Would prefer it to not go through the front of the car as my dc/dc will be behind the drivers seat and would prefer for it to be about 4m one way. Going to the breaker box and back would probably make this a bit longer. Draw should be 25a Max (though constant of 18a).

Checked for holes behind the rear bench as one of you pointed out. Didn't find any there. Will look up front in a few hours when I have more time.

I have my DC/DC charger behind the drivers seat and opted to bring the wire up through the old vent hole in the driver’s battery box. I replaced the old lid with plexiglass and cut out a half moon to allow the wires to run back and forth from the charger to my lithium bank under the seat.