Best place to tie into for 12v live outlet

[03_4x4Runner]

I want to add a 12 volt live outlet to my 4runner so the CB radio does not go back to channel 9 when I stop and start the engine. On my old 4th gen I just used something like this Amazon.com: Qiorange 12v Car Add-a-circuit Fuse TAP Adapter Mini ATM APM Blade Fuse Holder Pack of 5: Automotive but my 14 has the fuse box cover right up close to the fuses. I would have to cut up the cover to make one of these work. I do not want to cut, damage or mutilate any wiring to accomplish this. Does any know of an easy place to access a live 12v wire near the drivers area?

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Yeah, there's a large (iirc, 8 gauge?) cable near the fuse block, left of the steering wheel.

See Antman's thread and search for Foglight rewire mod for more photos and how to get to the wiring. Here's a photo of that wire I'm talking about:

(stolen from Antman's thread noted above!)


If you look just below Jeff's finger in that photo, you can see the large black cable that has a white molex plug on it. Tying into that wire will be your only challenge, as you don't want to cut into any wiring.

Other than that, running directly to the battery is really the only other place that I'd suggest, unless your radio pulls less than 5 or 6 amps. Adding that onto any of the other constant circuits will put a load nearing the fuse for that circuit's limit. Fuses are usually about 25% higher than the circuit requires, so a 15A fuse is probably using about 10-11A, and a 5A+ cb will probably pop that circuit.

 

[Titanpat57]

I think it's a bad habit to tap into anything existing.

Get yourself a Blue Sea box under the hood and run dedicated stuff.

I just ran a 12 circuit to the rear..

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I went out and looked under the hood. I think I am just going to hook up to the battery. I will put a fuse right at the battery. I found an easy place to get through the firewall on a large rubber grommet. As I stated I am not willing to splice into anything. If it aint broke do not break it. I was just hoping there was an unused extra 12v wire for some accessory I do not have in the center counsel or someplace.

 

[rigtec]

"I went out and looked under the hood. I think I am just going to hook up to the battery. I will put a fuse right at the battery..."

I was just going to suggest the very same thing to you 03'! I never like seeing an electrical enthusiasts or casual hobbyist (which I consider myself to be), altering their truck's factory wiring 'UNLESS' there's no other way. Out of all the electrical system mods that I've performed on my own truck; and there have been a few... I only cut into the factory system wiring twice...

The first time was to reassign the 'Party mode' wiring system design plot, and the second... to access the 'Courtesy illumination circuit' to feed the aftermarket (night-glow) switches on the dash... So glad you found the right way!

Cheers

 

[LawnDart]

I went out and looked under the hood. I think I am just going to hook up to the battery. I will put a fuse right at the battery. I found an easy place to get through the firewall on a large rubber grommet. As I stated I am not willing to splice into anything. If it aint broke do not break it. I was just hoping there was an unused extra 12v wire for some accessory I do not have in the center counsel or someplace.

Where's the grommet? I'll likely run an ARB 12v plug to the rear of my vehicle for when I'm ready to install my fridge.

 

[Titanpat57]

Where's the grommet? I'll likely run an ARB 12v plug to the rear of my vehicle for when I'm ready to install my fridge.

On the drivers side of the truck, on the firewall where a big ass harness goes through...can't miss it.