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running wires through roll bars

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by macedonia64, Sep 20, 2006.

  1. macedonia64

    macedonia64 New Member

    Has anyone run wires through the roll bars and brought them out somewhere in the tube (through a hole) like to wire up a dome light or an over head switch pannel???? how did you reenforce the roll bar where you drilled the hole??
     
    macedonia64, Sep 20, 2006
    #1
  2. 63CJ5UNIVERSAL

    63CJ5UNIVERSAL Member

     
    63CJ5UNIVERSAL, Sep 20, 2006
    #2
  3. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    I wouldn't bother reinforcing a small hole like 1/4" or even 3/8. I probably would consider a grommet to protect wires.
     
    lynn, Sep 20, 2006
    #3
  4. MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    X2, done it for a dome light without any problems.
     
    MCSCOTT, Sep 20, 2006
    #4
  5. electricontr

    electricontr Member

    Install a new rear view mirror with map lights incorporated into it and you've got a dome light.
     
    electricontr, Sep 20, 2006
    #5
  6. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    yep, I've done that. I just taped the wires to my front hoop :oops:
    I did put on quick disconnects so I can fold the windshield.
    A better solution would be to mount the lighted mirror to the front hoop...
    I think Boyink did that.
     
    lynn, Sep 20, 2006
    #6
  7. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    I did, but then you're back to wire management....;) I just put them in a split loom and zip-tied it to the cage, but it'd look better going through the cage. I just wasn't sure I could do it and didn't want to drill a hole only to find out that I couldn't.
     
    Boyink, Sep 20, 2006
    #7
  8. jflots

    jflots Member

    Common practice on boats to run wires through top frames. You can use a shopvac to suck them through.
     
    jflots, Sep 20, 2006
    #8
  9. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    I wouldn't call this job a piece of cake, but at the same time it isn't terribly difficult either. Its just one of those jobs that will take a little time and some perseverance to get the wire fed through.

    I'd recomment something like a 1/4- to 3/8-inch hole, about 1 inch up the riser from the bottom plate of the rollbar, and then the same-sized hole on the underside of the hoop where the lamp will be. If you can, snake a piece of fine, yet stiff solid wire from the top hole down toward the bottom one. You'll feel it when you hit the bottom of the hoop, just back up a bit when you hit bottom. Then, use another short piece of the same wire with a small hook bent on the end to snag the longer wire and pull it out of the second hole. Then, bend another hook onto the end of the long wire, and securely tape/tie the electrical wire onto the long wire and gently pull it through until you have BOTH ends of the electrical wire out of the rollbar by a foot or more.

    Not difficult, it just takes a little patience! :beer:
     
    w3srl, Sep 20, 2006
    #9
  10. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Fishing line and a shop vac... Used to install stereos in high school and did it all the time – it even works fishing a line in the top of a truck or car that way (like for a dome light).
     
    Warloch, Sep 20, 2006
    #10
  11. BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Yes but do install a rubber grommet.
     
    BlueFlu, Sep 20, 2006
    #11
  12. grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    8)
     
    grannyscj, Sep 21, 2006
    #12
  13. macedonia64

    macedonia64 New Member

    how about if i were to drill like a .5 or .75 hole for a harness... as in i am going to put a switch panel up there?? i am not worried abou tgetting the wires up there more about renforcin gthe hole... is it nessesary?
     
    macedonia64, Sep 22, 2006
    #13
  14. gschretter

    gschretter Banned

    You my friend are amazing.

    Thanks for the idea.

    Before someone says running anything through the roll cage is bad idea. How in the world to think those off roaring trucks get the coolant to the back of the truck? Through the roll cage and frame rails.
     
    gschretter, Sep 22, 2006
    #14
  15. BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    I'd be leary of drilling that big of a hole in a roll cage.
    When we drag raced we ran a small dia tube right behind the roll cage for the wires, all the switches were overhead.
     
    BlueFlu, Sep 22, 2006
    #15
  16. CJMace

    CJMace Member

    Wow, an overhead switch panel, good thinking. you can put the passenger seat ejection button and everything up there. I would drill the hole in the plate at the bottom, and not think again about it. No hole in the tubing, just the plate. This will be an entry for water and mud though. You know, if your ever in it.
     
    CJMace, Oct 19, 2006
    #16
  17. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    I would keep any holes in the tubes as small as possible, and definitely use a rubber grommet.
     
    w3srl, Oct 19, 2006
    #17
  18. jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    if your worried about the integrety of the roll bar you can weld a thick washer or a nut with the inside diameter of the hole you want where you want your hole then drill it through that. That should keep the area nice and strong
     
    jeep2003, Oct 20, 2006
    #18