I've installed dual batteries behind the seats in my 89 x-cab and am looking at wiring options. I'm thinking thru the fire wall then along the door sill or along the center hump or under the cab then up and in thru the back of the cab. I've got to run the normal engine/starter/charging plus the winch wiring. What's your opinion?

 

your guess is just as good as mine. sorry i can't help

 

Then why waste your time posting?


Op, through the firewall then down the transmission tunnel would probably be the easiest and most direct route. The door sill area may not have the room for all the wires you need to run. There should be grommets on the top corners of the firewall on each side..

Good luck.

 

If the truck is primarily a trail rig, I would run the wire through the firewall, and along the trans tunnel to the back of the cab. If the truck will be primarily "Expo" or daily driven, I would run the wire along the frame rail('s) and drill and grommet a new hole in the floor near where the batteries are located.

 

I'd go along the frame on the outside and up from the bottom, into the rear of the cab.

You should be running at least 2ga and maybe larger. That is going to be hard to get under the carpet

 

cause some people post and wait days for a reply and keep checking back over and over and still not even a sorry can't help.

 

The rig is a DD while working out of town and will be used for some backcountry exploring (Idaho next month).

I was gonna run 4AWG fine strand arctic grade cable for the engine cause I have access to lots of drops. I don't think we have any 2AWG, the next size up is like 646, massive 600v stuff.

If I run it thru the cab I'd just run it over the carpet, inside some plastic conduit, kinda red neck but oh well.

If I run under the cab I don't want to come up thru the floor pan. Too much road spray gets in that way. If I remember correctly (the rig isn't close by) there is a grommet in the back of the jack compartment. I'd open that hole up and bring the wires in there.

 

I can't see 4awg being enough for the load your putting on it. I have 2awg for both my batteries and there still under my hood, I will be relocating the shortly to the box and I will be using at least 1awg.

 

is it even a good idea to have the battery(ies) inside the cab without venting them outside the cab? I know on my BMW (under back seat) they have the battery vented to outside because of charging fumes created by the battery.

 

winching?

i'd as big as possible. 2 gauge minimum. heck, 1/0 welding wire is rather cheap.

dont forget to fuse at 2 places. where the current batt is, and when the wire goes through the firewall.

also, check out this firewall battery post. you drill like 1/2" hole. then this thingee goes through the hole.

http://bluesea.com/category/9/productline/overview/11

btw, OP, got pics of the dual batt install?

 

Why do you want it in the cab? I would reconsider putting it in the cab if I were you. Actually if I were you I would have never considered that a good location. There are so many other places under the back of your rig. Above rear axle, spare tire area, driver side between axle and cab(shielded from exhaust, obviously). Get creative, but, really don't put it in the cab.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The batts are AGM, sealed, no vapors, no venting. Could still explode I suppose. They are in boxes. Under the rig is a PITA. I want easy access for hooking up the ready welder. In the bed is an option but I want the space for something else. The ex-cab area was as creative as I could get. I ditched the fold down seats and will have a folding platform that covers the whole area. I'll post up some pics as it comes together this week.

Bigger wire on order

 

Post some pics. I hope they are well secured.

 

Finally got it all done. Wiring runs along the frame and up into the cab thru the jack compartment. Ran 2/O for the winch, 4awg for starter & alternator and 2 awg for the compressor and fuse box. I left the original wiring from the alternator. I reused the seatbelts to hold down the battery boxes but the pic got hosed. Made a fold down platform that cover the back seat area and mounted the jack underneath.

crappy phone pics...

 

Lookin good man