Carputer cable runs to boot

dogah · 09-16-2004, 02:21 AM

I am in the process of putting in my first carputer (first major car work) and am wondering, not sure if this is dependant on car model / make, i am currently putting it in a bmw e36, what is the best way to get the associated cables from the dash / front of the car to the back? are there already cable runs for the other stock cables?

thanks

Confused · 09-16-2004, 03:05 AM

There probably are already wires running down the car. However, I don;t know where they are, and if there is enough space to run extras.

My boss is just about to install a carputer in his BMW, and he is going to be taking the driver's seat out, and running the cables under the carpet, along the sides of the transmission tunnel

This is also where I have mine, as the sides of my car have too many other cables.

Garry

RS3RS · 09-16-2004, 03:54 AM

Don't know much about BMW's, but for my car, I just pulled up the carpeting on both sides, and ran all the signal cables on one side of the car under the carpet, and all the power cables on the other side (to prevent noise), and then stuffed the carpet back into place. Simple, looks nice, and works great.

edit: Nevermind... Seems this BMW is a unique case, ignore me, I'm just a flaming noob.

euro320i · 09-16-2004, 04:49 AM

I have a E36 as well. I had to remove the back seats, the side polsters the running boards. I could then run the cable through the sides. Get the best cables you can afford, once you put in the cable, the 6+ hours you spent won't be wasted when you find out that a cheap RCA cable pair has to be replaced. You can also run cables under the centre console and carpet to the trunk. Good luck, this is the best place to get a lot of help......

Enforcer · 09-16-2004, 05:25 AM

I an E36 and have run the cables under the back seats and then under the carpet by the transmission tunnel, coming up under the gear stick.

It's a real pain if you don't want to remove all the seats and carpets.

PS a wire hanger can be a very useful tool when running cables.

dogah · 09-17-2004, 12:11 AM

ahh sounds do-able

i'll give it a go in the next little while and see how hard it will be, will definately have to map out exactly what i need for now and the future cable wise now so i only have to cable once..

euro320i · 09-17-2004, 02:04 AM

I think the hardest part was figuring out how to remove the OBC. -It's the old finger trick.... Once that's done you can easily snake cable thru the carpet towards the trunk area. Limo, 2door or chop?

dogah · 09-17-2004, 02:15 AM

2-door
so not far to go really =)

Enforcer · 09-17-2004, 05:23 AM

When I get time I will do a tutorial of my sceen install, and moving the climate control down to where the sunglass holder is. Might include some hanger tips for the routing of cables

Autonator · 11-01-2006, 08:49 PM

DOGAH: Did you install the cables yet? I see you are in australia.. Is it a cold place where you are? i dont believe so, I am asking thsi cuz i think putting a carputer in the trunk is a bad idea, too much heat in the trunk when the sun shines directly on the trunk. does your driver seat or the passanger seat have space under it? thats the best place.

What kind of PC housing do you have? and the specs?

goto installer.com they make custom cables for all models even if they dont have one listed, but they have some nift T Harness solutions. If your amp is in teh trunk then you can T Harness your amp and run the power and sound to your carputer. email them they are very co operative and friendly.

built to cruise · 11-04-2006, 12:41 AM

autonator he is in Melbourne it is only warm there for a month a year its cold and wet in melbourne almost all year round. as said in the above posts try to run them all in one hit i forgot one in my 200sx and had to pull it all back out again absolut pain in the arse.