Running wires from engine bay to cab

[loverofpeace]

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!

[4Gears4Tires]

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.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[termuehlen]

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.
_________________
1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[dobryan]

You can also feed wires thru the same grommets as the heater hoses that enter on the floor just forward of the shifter base.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

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[Steve M.]

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.
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[loverofpeace]

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!

[Steve M.]

[djkeev]

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
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[dhaavers]

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

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
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[16CVs]

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
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[loverofpeace]

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.

[Abscate]

[kourt]

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

[loverofpeace]

[Steve M.]

[loverofpeace]

[loverofpeace]

[dobryan]

^^^^ Beautiful!
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[DuncanS]

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

[ledogboy]