"Ralph Blach" wrote in message
...
How do I run an extra power cable through a 1996 dodge caravan's fire
wall? I really do not want to drill a hole through the file wall for
obvious reasons. I have looked all over the firewall
and cant seem to find an obvious place to run the power cable.

I want to run a high power ham radio and other equimement.

Thanks

Chip Blach


Chip,

Take a *close* look at the rubbery seal/"boot" where the steering shaft
comes through the firewall.

On my 2003 Ford Explorer, there was *plenty* of room to cut a small slit
with an x-acto knife well below, and out of the range of motion of the
steering shaft. I then made sure it was secured out of the range of motion
of the shaft on *both* sides of the firewall, going to the driver's side
under the hood to the battery (with 25A in-line fuses in BOTH positive and
negative leads) and under the carpet to the driver's side wiring channel
that runs under the door "thresholds" (which simply snap in/out on the
Explorer (the body of the FT-857 is located under the rear, driver's side
seat and the control head is mounted on the center console in a good
operating position using a Panavise mount I got from HRO ...)

One more hint ... to check out clearances on BOTH sides of the firewall, I
used a long, heavy needle probe (about a 3" needle in a plastic handle about
6" long) to probe the spot I thought looked good from a beforehand visual on
both sides (the needle punches a small, self-sealing hole, but allows you
to see exactly where you are on both sides of the firewall). Then, when
satisfied, I used about a 1/2" wide x-acto knife blade to cut a slit (not a
hole) that I could push 2 #8 insulated wires through ... a red for positive
and a black for negative (it's actually a very heavy-duty "zip cord" that I
got from
http://www.powerwerx.com/category.asp?CtgID=1002 (they also have the
in-line fuse holders for automotive type fuses, etc.)

Now, this worked just fine on my Explorer ... on your vehicle, YMMV, but I
hope the suggestions are helpful.

73,
Carl - wk3c