Trying to run a wire down the A-pillar - Help!

[JJorgensen52]

I'm trying to run the power / ground wire for cab lights down the driver's A-pillar in my new truck.

Somewhere on here, I read that not all the trucks have a hole at the top of the pillar - is this true?

I've tried using a fish tape to feed down through the sun visor hole, and also up from the wire-hole underneath the dash. No luck going down at all, and I can feed the fish up the pillar until it gets to where the pillar meets the roof, and it just hangs up.

I spent a good 1.5 hours trying this today, can anyone confirm if I'm wasting my time?

[motorcritter]

If you've got access to or own an inspection camera, snake one up there and check it out. Also a length of speedometer inner cable may be more versatile.

[SS Tim]

This help any??? :-)

[Hutch]

JJorgensen52
Here is a video by member TX_Firefghter that may help.
It is for the interior cab light but may help with the roof cab lights.
http://youtu.be/-53fdPXgVLA

[JJorgensen52]

I love this board!

motorcritter - I never would have thought of a speedometer cable. That's an awesome idea.

SS Tim - that is immensley helpful. I definitely would have thought the hole was further forward. Now I see why I couldn't get the wire in there.

Hutch - thanks. I had seen the video once before sometime, but I haven't got access to a compressor during the week. If I can't get it done today I'm going to a buddy's who has a compressor over the weekend.

Thanks folks.

[Sklptrljay]

I've never had to do this on my truck, but a trick I use to fish electrical wires may help. Since the visor hole is pretty close to the A pillar this shouldn't be too difficult. Plus you probably have all the stuff you'll need at home.

You can make a small "parachute" out of a piece of grocery store plastic bag. Just form a little air bubble on the end of the plastic bag (just a bit smaller than the A pillar hole) and then use a small rubber band in this case to keep the bubble from deflating, and tie a string on to the "tail" of the plastic bag. Now push the parachute in as close as you can to the hole. Use a vacuum to suck the parachute through the hole. You'll probably have to make an attachment to the end of the hose to get it up the A pillar (maybe some 3/4 or so heater hose and some duct tape).

Hope this helps.

[ERASER5]

So, reading between the lines, this job either sucks or blows.

[Tinkermc]

Sucking or blowing it sounds like a solid idea.

[OSM 70 C20]

I have no need to do anything like this right now, but I am glad I read it just for future reference!

[piecesparts]

There is a video on the YouTube world about how to run a wire down the 'A' pillar. First you get a good strong string and then get an airhose with a blow nozzle on it. Feed the string into the top of the pillar and then start blowing air down the pillar. The string will feed into the pillar and come out at the bottom. It follows the air stream to the first outlet it finds. Short sweet and it works quick.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

There is a video on the YouTube world about how to run a wire down the 'A' pillar. First you get a good strong string and then get an airhose with a blow nozzle on it. Feed the string into the top of the pillar and then start blowing air down the pillar. The string will feed into the pillar and come out at the bottom. It follows the air stream to the first outlet it finds. Short sweet and it works quick.

Hey Frank,

See post #4..... Kevin (TX_firefighter) posted it. Good deal!

LockDoc

[Arreaux]

I would use the Vacuum and some floss string. This is very effective method i used when running wire thru my motorcycle handlebars. The vacuum will pull the string thru and you can tie a larger cord for pulling you wires thru.

[davepl]

Another tip I've heard from a mechanic friend is to tie a string to a washer and use a magnet (with a cloth if you don't want to scratch the surface) to drag the washer where you want it to go.

I've only had moderate success with it, but did use it for running a power trunk release wire through the trunk deck lid on one of my cars.

[JJorgensen52]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

This help any??? :-)

This method wins!

Once I actually knew where the hole was, I bent my coat hanger to shape and got it down the pillar first try. Took about 8 minutes to pull the wire, including the time I spent trying to find my flashlight and using a pick to pull the coat hanger out through the 1/2" hole I had drilled under the dash.

Thanks for all the replies!