Running wires/hoses from engine bay to cabin
 

I am installing a bunch of stuff and the moment and I though the following picture would be helpful.

Questions about wire and hose routing from the engine bay to the cabin come up a lot but I have noticed that a lot of people still seem to suggest drilling holes in the firewall or using the steering column hole. The driver's side wheelwell routing suggestion is still the best IMHO.

If you remove the driver's side wheelwell liner, you will see two holes - one large triangular hole with a grommet coming from the engine bay, and another circular hole with a rubber plug leading to the cabin. You can cut out the center of this plug (effectively turning it into a grommet) and run wires from the engine bay to the cabin.

Here is a picture of that area with the liner pulled back:

http://smi-web.stanford.edu/people/m...ireRouting.JPG

You do not need to remove the liner completely - just remove a few clips and screws towards the rear of the wheelwell and pull it back until the holes are visible.

The engine bay hole is clearly visible at on the side of the engine bay next to the brake booster. The cabin hole is not directly visible from inside the cabin because it is behind a fuse box. You will need to push any hoses or wires through until they become visible and then route appropriately inside the cabin.

There is room for quite a few hoses or wires using this approach. I currently have a vacuum hose and a large wideband oxygen sensor cable installed and will soon be running a 0 gauge battery cable through it. There will still be additional room for several other smaller wires.

This is the method I used to run my gauge wires and vac hose. Except I'm RHD, was running through the drivers side fender, and the hole you mention had the front wiring harness running through it. I just poked a hole in the grommet next to the harness (being careful not to damage it) and threaded my stuff through.

Pretty easy stuff!

jimlab posted this same information before. Still good info for those who didn't know.

yea a lot of people like to punch thru the steering column boot. not good! anyone, this is the right way and its not as hard as it may seem to some people!

A good reminder, including pictures! Good job. :)

Just want to add that in the pic he has the plug removed and what you see is the carpet underlayment in the pic.

Great pic... now the big question...

Is this going to be the drivers side on a JDM car?

I have some SPA guages to install and was looking for the best place to wire them in...

If no-one knows then I'll oik the driverside wing off and post the answer myself in a week or so's time :)

Did you have to remove the front bumper to get the wing off?

Cheers!

No, on a RHD drive the rubber plug leading to the cabin is till on the left, ie. passenger side.

Thankyou sir :D

Do you know if the bumper needs to come off?