I need something to hold the wires going to my doors

48builder · December 29, 2004, 09:54:59 AM

I'm laying out the wiring harness in my '48, and I'm looking for something to cover the wires going into the doors. I have the stock rubber hose thingie that came on my Camaro donor, but it is too big. I need something about 1.25 - 1.5 inches ID in order to fit the connectors through. I am using the entire Camaro harness, including window switches, etc., so I need to retain the connectors.

A few years ago Enjenjo posted an idea about some air brake hose I think. I can' tremember if that would be big enough.

The stock harness is working out great. I removed the SIR and ABS wires. I'm using the power feed that went to the rear window defroster for power for the moonroof. The car will have remote keyless entry, anti-theft control, all courtesy of GM, and at no cost to me!

Thanks in advance!

Walt

enjenjo · December 29, 2004, 10:22:13 AM

The air hose is not that big, about 5 wires is all you can get through it. If you can find an Escort, they have a rubber boot about the right size. Years ago I did one with some military surplus oxygen hose. NuRelics has some boots, with a recessed bracket that work pretty good too.

zzebby · December 29, 2004, 11:41:39 AM

Try some large heat shrink, slip your connectors thru and then shrink it. It is not flexible at all so it must move into the door as it is shut so maybe a loose grommet there.

The contacts are probable releasable from the connectors. Little clip that snaps into the plastic connector...... then you could go with the smaller hose. See mcmastercarr.com they have all sorts of tube and sleeving, could even go with teflon.

phat rat · December 29, 2004, 01:59:28 PM

maybe it's a little more then you want to spend, but did you consider doing away with the wires and using contacts?

58Apache · December 30, 2004, 09:54:55 AM

I thought I seen some nice looking braided stainless in use on some rods between the body and the door? I have no idea what was inside, but sure looked nice.

You might want to consider cutting the wires and passing them through and then resoldering the wires once everything is in place? Or, if it's possible to disconnect them from the other end.

Steve

48builder · December 30, 2004, 03:43:07 PM

Quote from: "58Apache"I thought I seen some nice looking braided stainless in use on some rods between the body and the door? I have no idea what was inside, but sure looked nice.

You might want to consider cutting the wires and passing them through and then resoldering the wires once everything is in place? Or, if it's possible to disconnect them from the other end.

Steve

I have that stainless conduit in my '39, and it is not big enough for this job. I have far too many wires to cut and solder, even too many to disconnect and re-connect. I'd like to use the contacts, but i'd have a string of them all the way up the door.

I'm going to the boneyad and see what I can rustle up. I'll look at Escort like enjenjo says.

purplepickup · December 30, 2004, 03:58:15 PM

Quote from: "48builder"I have far too many wires to cut and solder, even too many to disconnect and re-connect. I'd like to use the contacts, but i'd have a string of them all the way up the door.

Well, you could always mount your battery in the door then you'd only have to run one big wire thru the door jamb.

Dirk35 · December 30, 2004, 04:11:39 PM

How about some 5/8 heater hose?

You can weld (glue, jb weld, epoxy...whatever) a small peice of tubing cut in half on the inside of the door and attach the with a hose clamp (thin the same method exhaust is attachet to bolt on hangers. Then just let it slide in and out with the opening of the door via a larger hole on the door jam.

WZ JUNK · December 30, 2004, 07:06:24 PM

I suppose you could use two conduits in each door instead of one, if you have that many wires. I use the plastic ones from Haywire and they are about 6$ a set.

48ford · December 30, 2004, 08:41:26 PM

hi Walt,

What I did was to use the plastic ribbing that G.M. used on there wires,it is split so you can slip it over the wires.
I used a knock out to put a hole in the door and one in the jam,so they line up,then I Got two rubber grommets to fit the holes and are sloppy on the wire loom and it just slips inside the grommets.
worked for me.
Russ&Irene

48builder · December 31, 2004, 11:03:00 AM

Quote from: "48ford"hi Walt,

What I did was to use the plastic ribbing that G.M. used on there wires,it is split so you can slip it over the wires.
I used a knock out to put a hole in the door and one in the jam,so they line up,then I Got two rubber grommets to fit the holes and are sloppy on the wire loom and it just slips inside the grommets.
worked for me.
Russ&Irene

Thanks for a bunch of great ideas, guys. I'll take a trip to the boneyard next week, get some ideas, and along with these tips I'm sure I'll come up with something.