To difficult to run wire?

[SactoJim]

Wanna run a wire from right above rear view mirror (inside roof cavity) to pass side piller and exit just below the dash.

Can this be done or am I opening up a can of frustration in attempting this?

Tried running it under the window rubber, but it holds the rubber out just enough to bug me.

This is for a amplified antenna cuz I shaved the factory one. They just don't work very well when mounted under the dash or surround by metal and it works best on the window.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Can't be done without major surgery. You can't even access the windshield pillars where they meet the roof. I believe they are sealed off. WES

[jbarron]

Have you thought about mounting it on the rear window?

[corn]

Run it up inside the rear "pillar". Easy access & a lot of room.

[SactoJim]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Can't be done without major surgery. You can't even access the windshield pillars where they meet the roof. I believe they are sealed off. WES

I thought that might be the case.

Originally Posted by jbarron

Have you thought about mounting it on the rear window?

The best part about mounting it at the top of the front window is you really can't see it from the outside (shaded glass). The rear would be more obvious.

Originally Posted by corn

Run it up inside the rear "pillar". Easy access & a lot of room.

I was just looking at it and that may be the way to go....THX!

[aventur1]

To add another question---So how would you run the wire to the back piller and down? Let's say I wanted to put in a mirror with temp, N,W,S,E, etc. How do you do this? A thin wire and keep pushing it that direction and hope it goes down the piller? Then pull your wires back?

[Sweet72]

The inner cab roof has a welded seam 6 or so inches above the rear window, so you won't be able to fish a wire through there either. Dark tint on the back window and install it there and run down behind the seat and follow the dome light/fuel sending unit wires under the drivers door sill plate, under mat/carpet to the dash area. Just realized were talking about a coaxial cable and it may be too fat to run with those other wires. I'm sure you'll find a solution.

[68C15]

what if you tied a washer to some light string and used a strong magnet to guide it through from the inside of the pillar? then use the string to fish the wire back.

[SactoJim]

Bummer!......back to plan "A".....whatever that was!

I didn't think about that back seam......makes sense.

[72armyswbtruck]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Can't be done without major surgery. You can't even access the windshield pillars where they meet the roof. I believe they are sealed off. WES

Wes, that is exactly how I removed the 3/4 ton, 1ton cab lights wiring run down to the driver side pillar and exit by the e-brake.

[70GMCer]

Did mine without any problems, but you will need to use a headliner. This is done before the headliner is installed.

I went up inside rear driver side pillar behind the seat with a piece of 16 ga. copper wire and came out at the dome light opening (this is the area that the factory dome light wiring runs). This will be used for pulling the strand wire back to the fuse box. I then had to drill a 5/16" hole above the dome light opening, but just passed where the headliner will cover it. I then passed the 18/6 ga. copper strand wire along roof where the headliner will cover it. In other words, when finished, the wire will be ran between the headliner & inside roof panel.

Now right before where the mirror bracket mounts, I then drilled another hole for the wire to go into. Again, this will be covered up by the headliner. The wire will then come threw the opening where the mirror bracket attaches to and will be covered up with the bracket cover when finished. Allow enough wire to be ran from the mirror area back to the dome light area and down and along the sill to the fuse box area.

I hope this makes since. Here are 2 pictures of the finished work. In my case, I ran the extra wire count for adding any other features later on. Also, I used the later model mirror that mounts to the windshield and used flex tube to cover the wiring for the auto dim and map lights.

If you are not using a headliner, forget this mod. I don't believe the wire can be fished between the roof and roof liner panel. I tried and couldn't get it.

Hope this helps......

[aventur1]

70GMCer
Good idea, I like that of leaving the stock mirror pad!!! Is that a red light on top center? What's it for?

[Frizzle Fry]

I ran wires through both my A-Pillars, but the Burbs have a removable headliner instead of the metal inner roof skin making life MUCH easier.

Burbs have wires running up the driver's A-Pillar from the factory (tail/brake lights) with a gromet in the upper DS kick panel.

I don't see why it couldn't be done on a truck if you are willing to make an access point that can later be closed/covered.

The A pillars have two "passages." I found that the wires must be run in the FWD of the two passages. At least that seemed to be the case for mine.

[68gmsee]

I think before I gave up on the idea, I'd try some electricians fish wire and probe the cab top through the holes where the window shades mount.

I just don't see where GM went to the trouble of adding blocking to the pillars. I may be wrong though...

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

I think before I gave up on the idea, I'd try some electricians fish wire and probe the cab top through the holes where the window shades mount.

I just don't see where GM went to the trouble of adding blocking to the pillars. I may be wrong though...

I too tried the fish tape......good luck.....

[68K20 x Drill]

Easy! Just reach in through the rust hole.

[TravisH]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Bummer!......back to plan "A".....whatever that was!

I didn't think about that back seam......makes sense.

On my 72 theres a about a 3/8" hole in the seam center of the dome light, thats how I plan to run my wires. If theres not borrow a 90* drill and use a short bit to make one. Stuff a grommet in the hole and call it golden

[71tahoe]

Ever watch American Chopper? When they have to run wire through the bike frame they use a kite string or similar and use an air blower attachment to blow it through the passage.

[c10addict]

I shaved my factory antenna too but what I did was took a regular stick antenna and bent the antenna mast 90 deg right above where it screws on to the base. I then drilled and mounted it in the cowl of the cab itself right around where the factory antenna was mounted in the bolt on cowl. Then I just bolted the wiper cowl on and the antenna is under it running the length of the firewall. It works great... Picks up plenty of reception through all the vents cut in the bolt on cowl and nobody has ever seen it to comment on it.. I did use the rubber seal agianst the cab with a bead of silicone to seal it from any possible water leaks...