Wiring New Audio System
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Cary
I know many, if not most of you who have upgraded your audio system with the amp in the trunk, have run the wires as follows:
- Power Wire through the passenger side door sill.
- Speaker/Interconnect on either side of the console.
I have attempted to run my speaker wire up the passenger side of the console, but I'm not liking the results (the wires are noticeable and causing "bumps" which I really can't get rid of).
Question: Is there any real reason I cannot run at least the speaker wires up the driver's side door sill? I know there exist wires from the factory there, but I think I can make the speaker wires fit without problem. Are there any power/noisy wires in this bundle? Would it hurt to also run the interconnect with the speaker wires through the door sill?
I am in the process of finishing the "pre-wiring" before I hand the car off to my installer who will install the amp and speakers. I suspect he would have used the door sill to run the wires anyway. Furthermore, the S2000.org web site recommends the driver's side door sill for the speaker/interconnect path.
Pros? Cons? Speak up now.
- Power Wire through the passenger side door sill.
- Speaker/Interconnect on either side of the console.
I have attempted to run my speaker wire up the passenger side of the console, but I'm not liking the results (the wires are noticeable and causing "bumps" which I really can't get rid of).
Question: Is there any real reason I cannot run at least the speaker wires up the driver's side door sill? I know there exist wires from the factory there, but I think I can make the speaker wires fit without problem. Are there any power/noisy wires in this bundle? Would it hurt to also run the interconnect with the speaker wires through the door sill?
I am in the process of finishing the "pre-wiring" before I hand the car off to my installer who will install the amp and speakers. I suspect he would have used the door sill to run the wires anyway. Furthermore, the S2000.org web site recommends the driver's side door sill for the speaker/interconnect path.
Pros? Cons? Speak up now.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
Likes: 18
From: Home
You can pull the armrest and plastic trim off the center console and run all the wires THROUGH the console itself. VERY clean and nice.
Just an FYI if you go this route, there is a foam doughnut around the shifter. Remove this while running the wires, it is MUCH easier. Then just replace it when done.
If you have any issues getting the console apart, check out http://www.ricks2k.com The instructions for the console cover or the shiftboot will give you what you need. Comes apart in less than 10 mins.
Just an FYI if you go this route, there is a foam doughnut around the shifter. Remove this while running the wires, it is MUCH easier. Then just replace it when done.
If you have any issues getting the console apart, check out http://www.ricks2k.com The instructions for the console cover or the shiftboot will give you what you need. Comes apart in less than 10 mins.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
i ran them up the driver's side sill...
no problems here.
however, given the chance to do it again, i would have run mine down the center console.... i didn't realize you could easily work around the donut and some of the other minor obstacles. ahh well....
though the door sill was easy as long as your wire gage isn't too large (i ran 14 gage with only minor problems). my only issues w/ that choice came up when i went to run a bunch of things through that sill while installing WLaurent's alarm.
no problems here.
however, given the chance to do it again, i would have run mine down the center console.... i didn't realize you could easily work around the donut and some of the other minor obstacles. ahh well....
though the door sill was easy as long as your wire gage isn't too large (i ran 14 gage with only minor problems). my only issues w/ that choice came up when i went to run a bunch of things through that sill while installing WLaurent's alarm.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
16 gage should be no problem in the driver's sill, unless you're your planning to add an alarm... and then, if that's being installed for you - it would be the installers problem... 
seriously though, i ran portions of William's alarm in there, along w/ 2 runs of 14 gage, and a 18 gage turn on lead. it was tight by the time i was installing the alarm, but nothing too bad.
seriously though, i ran portions of William's alarm in there, along w/ 2 runs of 14 gage, and a 18 gage turn on lead. it was tight by the time i was installing the alarm, but nothing too bad.
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Cary
OK, with a lot of help from another thread (Queston for people who ran wires THROUGH the console.), and a further from a picture from Modifry, I was able to run the wires (speaker cables, interconnect, and remote power) down the center column, at least from the head unit to midway through the console.
Next question for everyone: How did you run your speaker wires from the doors/kick panels to the head unit? Did you go around the footwell and/or under the carpet, or above the footwell inside the dash?
I may be back tomorrow night for more questions. I'm taking this project one step at a time..... On very SLOW step that is.
TIA
Next question for everyone: How did you run your speaker wires from the doors/kick panels to the head unit? Did you go around the footwell and/or under the carpet, or above the footwell inside the dash?
I may be back tomorrow night for more questions. I'm taking this project one step at a time..... On very SLOW step that is.
TIA
