DC Power in Chevy Colorado

w1ksz · Post by **w1ksz** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:12 pm

Where can I run DC from the battery into the cab ? I thought I found one spot, but there's another wall in between. I hesitate blindly drilling holes !!

I also need more power than that dinky cigarette lighter accessory plug.

Thanks, Dick, W1KSZ

mmckenna · Post by **mmckenna** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:44 pm

There is a big rubber grommet above and to the inboard side of the brake linkage, I can't remeber what goes though there, but I was able to sneak a pair of 12ga wires through there. There is a double wall, but I was able to get it through into the cab with out any problems.

I initially tried pulling power off of one of the two posts in the fuse box under the hood. There are two studs. One has the lead coming from the alternator, the other leads is to the battery. There is a 100 amp "mega" fuse between them. I tried that for a while, but was getting some very minor alternator whine. I swapped it over to the battery post, and the alternator whine disappeared. I used the battery/body ground located just behind the battery.

Not sure if this will help, but here is what else I found:
I didn't have onstar or XM, so I was able to mount the radio "guts" under the drivers seat. There are a few threaded studs under there, as well as some holes in the carpet to facilitate running cables. The studs are 6x1.25 mm, if I recall correctly. I used a couple of them to mount the radio, and for a local ground. Antenna lead runs from the radio, under the carpet to the trough along the door sill. The trough was pretty deep, so I had no problems getting power to the radio, or the coax out to the antenna through there. I mounted a NMO type mount just in front of the third brake light. Not the ideal location, but it works for me, and I didn't have to pull the head liner out. I snaked the coax down from the third brake light in between the head liner and the rear window. I then tucked it up under the headliner and over to the pillar, then down to the trough under the door sill. I was able to get the control cable up to the radio head under the carpet to the center console, then under the console up to the front, and mounted the head there, just under the cig lighter plugs.

Radio is an Icom F2020 35w UHF (sorry, not a Motorola yet)
Truck is a 2005 GMC Canyon, twin of the colorado. Extended cab stick shift.

I did the exact same install on a 2005 Canyon Crew Cab. Everything was identical, except for the obvious longer cable run to the back of the cab.

Just be real careful, some of the plastic trim is mighty thin.

On a side note, how do you like it? It has been a really nice truck so far, and niether of the two have had any issues. Still pulling about 25 MPG on the highway.

mmckenna · Post by **mmckenna** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:23 am

Correction,

The firewall feed through point is OUTBOARD of the brake master cylinder. It's right by my hydraulic clutch fluid resivoir, right behind the anti lock brake system.

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:25 pm

i'm starting an 04 install next week, what size grommets am i gonna be looking at for that hole outboard of the brake master cyl?

mmckenna · Post by **mmckenna** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:08 am

There is a very large existing feed through already there. I was able to make a small neat puncture in it between whatever was feeding through there and the edge and get my wire through. Sort of a large oversized grommit with a lot of space around it. I didn't see the need to try and drill the fire wall, as there would have been littel room to get a drill in there.

I still covered everything in split loom and sealed up around the feed through with some sealant.

cranbiz · Post by **cranbiz** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:52 pm

I just bought a 2005 crew cab Canyon.

Do any of you have a clue on how the center trim panel comes off (without destroying it). It's the panel that covers the radio etc. I want to mount my light switches in the cover plate next to the 4 wheel drive switches.

I did the same thing with the antennas on my Sierra and thought that what you did would work. I'm glad to find out that it will.

mmckenna · Post by **mmckenna** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:26 am

I have not pulled mine off, but I have heard that it is just a gentle pull around the edges to get it apart.

You might want to check out: http://www.coloradofans.com/index.php

There is a board there that is mostly about upgrading the stock stereo, but you should be able to find some info on exactly how to pull it.
That site is mostly kids wanting bigger and louder stereos, but it is a good place to go for info on these trucks.

cranbiz · Post by **cranbiz** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:34 am

Thanks,

I found that site and it has been very helpful.

That grommet opening is huge. Yesterday I pulled 4 #12 and 2 #16ga wires and still have plenty of room for the additional 4 #16's and the temp sender for the new mirror.

Still haven't pulled the trim piece off yet, will do that this afternoon once I get done dispatching.

csteger · Post by **csteger** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:48 pm

I have an 05 Colorado regular cab and love it. I also found what appeared to be a drain hole plug on the floor under the drivers seat. My power cable, and coax for one radio was able to be tied down to the inside frame rather nicely. There was a spare brake cable tie/mount that was not being used, and it fit the power cable just perfectly. A little wire ties and we're off.

As for the floorboard, a little silicon sealant and all is water tight. Two M1225's (VHF/UHF) in, and a GE Ranger left to install.

As for the headliner, I found that removing the dome light and feeding the coax along the back of the roof, then along the top of the doorframe and down the A-Post was really easy. Once the moulding was removed from the A-Post I found a bunch of room for cabling. I also liked the way the glove box folded down to allow me to tidy up a little bit behind the dash.

I didn't take the center dash off, but it appears as if there are/is some kind of clip on the botton, near the cigar lighters.

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:23 pm

yeah, that stock wiring cutout is a monster. i pulled a couple of 8ga thru there using my finger! too bad they don't make all cars w/ firewall access like that.