Re-wire the rear speakers?

[SCW]

I just installed an amp (sorta, not hooked to the speakers yet) and I'm considering running new wires to the rear speakers rather than using the factory harness with it's 18ga wire. the problem is getting the wire through the grommets out of the roof and into the hatch, it doesn't look like there is much room there.

Any sugesstions? I'll try to post some pics.

 

[Dingo509]

the way we used to run wire replacement wires wheni was at a local shop was to solder the new wire onto the end of the old wire then...pull. Not the most high tech way in the world but it should work.

Dingo

 

[SCW]

the way we used to run wire replacement wires wheni was at a local shop was to solder the new wire onto the end of the old wire then...pull. Not the most high tech way in the world but it should work.

Dingo

Interesting idea, these wires are tightly bundled and taped, will your method still work?

 

[Dingo509]

I don't really know, i know that it worked fine on main vehicle harnesses, but maybe we got lucky and the wires were not against the tape. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try, if you take off the roof trim and the liftgate panel you would only have to pull the wires no more than a foot, we pulled wire over 5 ft using that method before.

Dingo

 

[SCW]

Here are some pics of the harness-

this is the harness along the rear drivers-side door. I cut into the bundle, it is taped together and about 1-1/4" diameter, pretty tight too. The screw driver is spearating the 4 wires in question-

I intended to gun a short wire from the amp to the harness here under carpet and trim, but I'd really like to run all new wire to the speakers if I can. I have new wire to the fronts already.

 

[Dingo509]

the only part that would be a problem is the harness that goes from the body to the liftgate. ( pic 1) other than that i see no reason that you can't take your time and cut the tape of the harness and run new wires then retape the harness. You may be able to actually pull a few extra wire theis way too. then you already have new wires run for future additions. Yes this is timne consuming but any quality job is.

I took apart the intire wiring harness and then completely rewired the PDC on a H.O. (PDC melted down, long story) by just taking my time and double and triple checking the wires before I soldered them. I am also about to wire a couple Street Rods with an I-Pod based stereo that will have no head unit, So when the I-Pod is removed you will no stereo at all. So i know all this can be done if you just take you time.

I think the easiest way, although not the fastest would be to unplug the harness at the tailights and pull it out up to the back doors, then you can easily cut it apart and run the new wires, if you decide to run a connector you can do this now and then reinstall the harness. then pull the new wiers like i described starting from the speaker locations and run them down to the connector. The key to pulling news wires in this way is to pull them as short a distance as possible.

Dingo