Running wires through roof

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jman9895
Posts: 89
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:53 am
Location: MA/NH Border

Running wires through roof

Postby jman9895 » Mon May 26, 2014 4:06 pm

It was a nice day so I figured I'd install the antennas for my 2-way radios, roof lights (mounted on a cargo basket) and xm today. I noticed alot of people saying they ran the wires through the boot at the rear hatch. I ran them through the roof rack mounting feet..

If you pull the roof rack covers, you can bore a half inch hole through the roof and into the cab of the truck. A little spray paint to prevent rust, and then if you use an extra large (4 foot) zip tie as a snake, you can fish the wires through the hole to the back of the car without even taking down the headliner (the D piller trim needs to come off though). From there I connected to tie wires I had run earlier when I had the interior of the truck apart.


Here you can see how the wires come up through the foot
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Holes drilled through the bottom of the foot into the roof

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How the connector will mount

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The Final Product


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XVTer
Posts: 117
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2013 9:24 am
Location: VT

Postby XVTer » Wed May 28, 2014 6:35 am

Nicely Done. Clean install 8)

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flat6symphony
Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:44 am

Postby flat6symphony » Fri May 30, 2014 1:13 pm

Looks good. What is the black tacky chewing gum looking stuff you used? Any chance you could post a picture with the roof basket and lights?

EDIT: Tacky as in adhesive, not visually "tacky" haha

jman9895
Posts: 89
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:53 am
Location: MA/NH Border

Postby jman9895 » Wed Sep 24, 2014 6:12 am

Wow, sorry I missed your response,

The sticky stuff is called "Strip Caulk" Any napa or body shop supply store will have it. It goes on like putty and then hardens over a day or two. 3M Makes it, I'm sure other brands are out there too. Its great for sealing around wires as, unlike silicone, you can push it somewhere and it will stay put.


I will post a pic of the roof basket as soon as I get the cross rails so I can mount the thing. I'm trying to find a better deal on ebay... but after 5 months, I suppose its time to face facts and realize im not getting them for under 150... I thought about making a set of my own, but by the time I'm done with the steel and fabrication work, I'll have something that doesnt look quite as good as the factory ones and costs almost as much.. :(


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