Community Forums

Don The Ham · 06-26-2010, 01:31 PM

I am looking for suggestions on how to get power and antenna cables through the firewall on my new toad for a ham radio installation. Normally I have found spare gromets or available space around other cables to route wires to the engine compartment. New toad is a GMC Terrain. I plan on installing a L bracket with NMO antenna mount at the hood to fender seam and use an ICOM IC-208 for VHF/UHF operation. I have pulled panels and insulation and can not find any good spot. My only option now is to drill a new hole in the firewall. Any suggestions?

DriVer · 06-30-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don The Ham

I am looking for suggestions on how to get power and antenna cables through the firewall on my new toad for a ham radio installation. Normally I have found spare grommets or available space around other cables to route wires to the engine compartment. New toad is a GMC Terrain. I plan on installing a L bracket with NMO antenna mount at the hood to fender seam and use an ICOM IC-208 for VHF/UHF operation. I have pulled panels and insulation and can not find any good spot. My only option now is to drill a new hole in the firewall. Any suggestions?

Don The Ham, There is a rubber boot at the base of the steering column if you want to try that. I used a pilot drill on my 08 Vue and a stepped tapered drill bit to make a BIGGER hole. Just watch where you are coming through. The Terrain should have a lot of available real estate on its firewall.

Larryb · 07-01-2010, 08:04 AM

I have a new Chevy Equinox, which has the same components as your Terrain. I had Camping World run a new wire from the toad battery to a separate 12 volt powerpoint for the BrakeBuddy. He could not find a way to get through the firewall, so he went through the floorboard on the driver's side, under the firewall, and into the engine compartment. He tried for 45 minutes and could not locate any existing openings.

Don The Ham · 07-02-2010, 04:03 PM

DriVer, Firewall area on driver side of Terrain is very busy. I am considering drilling a hole for the cables on the passenger side firewall, much more open area. Larryb suggested bringing the cables through the floorboard, this may be a easer to do. All I need now is the courage to drill a hole for these power cables to my ham rig and a aux braking system.