Wiring question...

[JK]

I just got done mounting the fuse block on my merc. It's behind the speaker grill on the dash (Just right of the radio). Would it be stupid to try to run the wiring to the rear, in some sort of metal conduit, down the center of the floor? I thought about maybe flattening a piece of steel conduit or even running it in plastic 1/2" conduit. I'd leave a narrow slit in the jute insulation on the floor and then just lay the carpet over that. I'm having a hard time finding a place to run the wires down the drivers side. I had thought of drilling a hole under the sill and running a conduit or elbow under the it, down the inside of the rocker and up through the back between the outside rocker and the inner panel. Let me hear your ideas. And heaven help you if you can understand my ramblings!!!

[choprods]

in the 70's GM cars there was a "sleeve" that was about 2" wide and 3/8" thick that opend and later snapped shut with wiring inside that is about 6 feet long. I would find one of these as they work well and would be low cost. they also had a series of hole/tabs to attach to car floor.

[Fat Hack]

JK, I dunno if I should be worried or not...but I understand what you're saying! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On my current Chevy, I wasn't too concerned with how it looked, so I ran the wires through that plastic flexible conduit and fastened it down along the driver's side door sill...simple but effective!

Years ago, I wired a Camaro in the manner you're suggesting, though...and worked nicely! I found some flat plastic shielding in a car (an old Pontiac I think?) in a junkyard and dragged it home. It was maybe three inches wide, and about 1/4" thick with a slit to access the wires. I stuffed my wires through that do-hickey and layed it along one side of the trans hump. Once the carpet was laid over it with padding, it was hidden but still protected the wires!

I don't know, but that plastic stuff may be available from some restoration supply joints? If not, dig through old cars in junkyards till ya find one...the one I nabbed was more than long enough for a 68 Camaro...it came out of a big car!

[Fat Hack]

Umm, yeah...what Kenny said! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(That's what I was talking about! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

[JK]

Thanks bros, that was exactly what I was lookin for. Off to the salvage this weekend to see if I can sweet talk my junkyard honey into lettin me have some.

[Missing Link]

JK, before you go scrounging through the boneyard for stuff you may want to check out your local home improvement center. They have some stuff thats flat and is flexible plastic sort of thing that is split on the backside. It is made specifically to run wires through and it is placed on the floor in high traffic areas so people don't walk all over them. If not at the home store, check radio shack or an office supply jernt. I do not think they are very expensive. It may be worth a shot.

[dabond]

Yeah,
That stuff that he said used to be used for telephone cable. Try Graybar Electric.

[Bass]

Here's a trick my dad taught me for simple taillight wiring...

Go to the local parts store and pick up a roll of trailer wire...you know, the stuff that's made together with the 4 different colored wires...it usually comes in 20' rolls I think. Run that to the back of the car and you've got a wire for the taillights, brake lights, and fuel gauge sending unit. You can run your license light off of the taillights.

This is the way I wired my shoebox and it worked great. Also, on my car the original wiring ran up and over the door and quarter window on the drivers side, and that's where I kept mine. I would think that Ford and Mercury would be the same for these years, but I'm not sure.

The plastic channel from 70's GM products is a good suggestion too for running wires along the floor.