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Amp power wire, through driver or passenger side?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by redrum448, May 6, 2021.

  1. May 6, 2021 at 8:20 AM
    #1
    redrum448

    redrum448 [OP] New Member

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    Amp power wire, through driver or passenger side?

    Seems the passenger side is easier, are there advantages or disavantages to either?
     
  2. May 6, 2021 at 8:34 AM
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    FUBAR

    FUBAR New Member

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    I ran mine through the passenger side. If you are mounting your amp under the passenger seat it seems easier to cross over from the drivers side to the passenger side on the firewall than inside the vehicle.
     
  3. May 6, 2021 at 8:35 AM
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    redrum448

    redrum448 [OP] New Member

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    Thats what I was thinking too.....
    any advice on what to expect or avoid?
     
  4. May 6, 2021 at 8:38 AM
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    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions

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    Fuse both sides. MRBF at the battery to protect the cable and fuse/distribution inside to protect the amp. Wrap in loom and zip tie to secure
     
  5. May 6, 2021 at 8:44 AM
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    FUBAR

    FUBAR New Member

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    Lube up the wire so it slides through easier. Have plenty of zip ties as well. I tied mine to the felt piece on the firewall so it's tucked up out of the way. With enough ties there is little to no pressure from the wire pulling down and that felt holds it real well. Also, when taking off the kick panel make sure the clips come with it. It also wouldn't hurt to have a few extra panel clips if you plan on removing the doors and other trim. Those little buggers can break or get lost pretty easy.
     
  6. May 6, 2021 at 9:33 AM
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    Saltyhero13

    Saltyhero13 Throbbing Member

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    Depends where you are placing your Amp IMO.
     
  7. May 6, 2021 at 9:41 AM
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    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    I went through the driver's side with the 4 Guage. My amps are on the passenger side, but I use a distribution block from the 4 guage to the amps.
     
  8. May 6, 2021 at 10:07 AM
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    BrakeDust

    BrakeDust New Member

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    I did passenger side.

    But... I also routed the speaker signal wires along the same path. I think this was a mistake. It would have been better to send them under the center console to the amp and under the front passenger seat. Keep them far away from the power wires. I have a bit of alternator buzz I can't fully get rid of.
     
    daveeasa likes this.
  9. May 6, 2021 at 10:42 AM
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    daveeasa

    daveeasa FBC Harness Solutions

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    With MT (speaking of my Tacoma for now) I am planning passenger side due to space issues with brake booster and clutch pedal. But I'm also scouting/looking/evaluating selecting a floor grommet under the seat or perhaps where the e brake cable is. Haven't put enough time into a complete analysis. Definitely concerned about water intrusion if I select a floor entry, but the upside is less fishing through the firewall and down the kick panel. Installing the OEM tailgate lock made me think about those floor grommets as a viable option.

    The most straightforward route is from the battery (almost always driver side) through driver firewall into driver kick, down to the seat belt bolt and from there to under-seat or behind rear seat. That minimizes power cable length, but for 4 gauge a few extra feet isn't going to be significant extra resistance.

    For RCA and speaker signals, I like going down the center of the vehicle where noise interference from any other sources is minimized and total length is also minimized. That's how I have my Tacoma set up. In my '02 Tundra, though, I did passenger side kick/door sill for RCA's (amp under passenger side seat). Speaker wire is a little less vulnerable to noise induction but you can only do so much, either you use the OEM wire through the boot or run new but at some point you're going to be close to the amp power cable (unless amp power enters from under the seat via a grommet, hence my more recent thinking).

    I've also contemplated drilling a new hole via stepped bit in the firewall just for amp power, to have it exactly where I want it. I have several of these expensive boots I can use for that. But I think I have adequate space in one of the OEM grommets too and I'd probably prefer to avoid drilling if given the choice.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051ZG5K8/
     
  10. May 9, 2021 at 6:49 PM
    #10
    jwatt

    jwatt I heart men

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    I ve read that in several wiring threads that it s best to avoid running power along side/parallell with speak wires for the reason you suggest; alternator buzz. Apparently it s best to keep them away from each other, and if speaker wires need to cross power then do it at a 90 deg angle. I ran my power down drivers side, and speaker wires and rca s down center, and passenger side speakers down passenger side. The only time I have to cross is the drivers side rear door. I m still trying to find out how to get that wire boot for the rear doors disconnected without just man-handeling it, and probably breaking it.
     
  11. May 23, 2021 at 5:06 PM
    #11
    FirstTruck

    FirstTruck New Member

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    Both sides are easy but if you are just installing one amp under the passenger then run the wire thru the passenger side
     

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