06 GMC Sierra install

[BG]

I have been running a little PRO510 on a cig plug (which i know is bad). well, i am getting a new radio next week and i want to run my wiring from the battery. but i cannot for the life of me figure out where to enter the cab from the engine compartment. i know, i am an idiot. you guys got any ideas? 2006 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 1500....73's...BG

[Midlander]

Through the firewall, and check both sides to make sure no wires are in the way, once you found a good spot to run the wires drill a hole and run your wires through there. Or run your power wires through the hole that the other wires are going through.

[silver runner]

whats so bad about using the cig. lighter instead of the battery???

[PRO151]

Grommet, Radio Shack, always use a grommet when you penetrate metal or plastic. The last thing you want is for your wires to short.

Trust an old man who says "Been there, done that"

[BG]

alright....to heck with it...i will drill a hole...i didnt want to, but its all for the love of CB'ing! lol...thanks guys....73's...BG

[silver runner]

whats so bad about using the cig. lighter instead of the battery???

[760]

whats so bad about using the cig. lighter instead of the battery???

Various reasons. For one, it can be a good source for noise. Also by running straight to the battery, you are getting the full potential of the radio. The radio in the dash is usually pretty crappy.

[760]

*The wiring in the dash.

[Shaft]

It's real easy to do. I had a picture I uploaded once, but I can't seem to find it. I'll post it later. But trust me, it is very easy to do.

[Shaft]

I ran an 8 ga. wire going through the fire wall, right in the center of the picture, just below that ground strap. This is in my 2005 Sierra. You've got all the room in the world to do whatever you want to.

[ external image ]

[bulletgwd]

Look for the e brake cable, where it goes through the firewall, lots of room.

[80 meter man]

I've always been able to sneak a 10ga zip cord through the fire wall using an existing grommet. Sounds like shaft has a good idea you should be able to slip your zip cord right next to that 8ga in his photo. In the past I've had to use a little light grease on the wire to get it started through the grommet. I know, bad, but sometimes you have to do the bad things. The grease can eat through the zip cord if it's not good stuff but I've never had any trouble.

[GarnerZ]

if you look on the driver side of the engine bay, right below the master cylinder to the left if a huge grommet , this is the best place to get entry to the cab, its nice and neat and your wire will go right under the carpet!!!

good luck, if you already done your install, post pics!!

[whipsnapper]

Out of all the experience and knowledge of those here...

Would it hurt anything to run power for the radio/amp through the same hole in the firewall as the antenna coax?

I have mine this way right now. I'm running off an external cig lighter wired into the 8ga power wires for my subwoofer amp. I'm not using the radio when the sub amp is playing, but it is powered up. I don't get hum or anything. Will that change when I run a linear and wire it up through the same hole next to the coax?

The noise may be a tiny bit less than when powered by the cig lighter in the dash, but can't really tell. I got a better radio at the same time as I switched the wiring, and I know it has a better NB/ANL than my old one.

[Big Kahuna]

Got that same grommet that the 2005 got but mine has a cable running into it.

[GarnerZ]

any luck with your install