JLB wrote:
I am in the process of mounting my old Yaesu FT-4700 in my 2000 Ford Taurus
station wagon. The biggest problem encountered is running the power cable.
As many others do, I prefer running directly to the battery. The problem
with the Taurus, as with many other recent vehicles, is that there are no
spare holes in the firewall---at least not that I can find.

So, I went this morning and talked to a local Ford salesman that I happen to
know personally (of course buying our last 4 cars from him certainly helps)
and asked him how to do it. He didn't know, but took me to talk to one of
their mechanics (you've seen the type---middle age, hair starting to grey,
grease on shirt---the kind thats been working on cars since he was 15).
Evidently this guy also does radio installations for some of their dealer
vehicles.

The grass roots, doen in the trenches answer is this:

1. Locate the rubber boot around the steering column, here it goes
through the firewall. Using a screw driver or similar tool lift up the edge
of the rubber boot and shove your cable through. Seal around it with RTV.

The thing I don't like about this method is it puts your primary heavy
current wire (which I would hope would be fused), in direct contact with
a metalic edge. After awhile, with road vibration, the insulation will
wear through to the wire and short out.


2. Remove the glove box (he assured me that this is easy to do). There
is an unused grommet behind it, left over from when the car radio antenna
was mounted up front (at least on the Taurus).

This would be a good choice if the wire routing would be away from hot
manifolds, etc. I also like to use some wire loom when routing my
wiring. This give it added protection.


3. Drill a hole in the firewall and mount your own grommet. Or use a
bunch of RTV.

I have done this a few times and again, as long as you stay away from
hot manifolds, moving parts, etc., its perfectly fine.



His only other comment was to stay away from the exhaust manifold, as it
would melt the insulation. I might also add to stay away from moving parts,
too.

Andy
WD4KDN

--
One lawyer can steal more than a hundred men with guns.