Going through firewall...

[umidkusername]

Alright folks. I need to get one wire through the firewall and need to go through the main grommet with the main wiring loom. I have a 2020 pro and that thing is tighter than a frogs butthole. How in the world do you go through that without accidentally cutting wires?

I’ve already used the smaller hole above it that has the removable grommet. So I’m running out of options.


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[[email protected]]

Wire or a wire coat hanger

 

[jawkdna]

Fish tape wire puller...
although before I had one of these I used a wire hanger which worked.

Fish Tape Wire Puller Through Wall Wire Threader Fish plus Fish Cable Fastener with Steel rope 20FT(6M) - - Amazon.com

 

[umidkusername]

This may sound crazy but do y’all think I could pierce the grommet and to make sure it’s still weatherproof spray it with the black flex seal spray? Some says it’s self sealing but lemme know your opinions:

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[mbumpus11]

I have pushed wires through the main grommet three separate times and have never had any issues with water leaking in.

Straighten out a coat hanger, then use electrical tape to secure the wire to the coat hanger. Wrap the tape down the hanger a little so that it forms a bit of a “cone” leading up to where the wire starts, and then just pull the hanger through. Easy as that.

In fact, I did this exact thing on my latest mod which I put up this morning, and I have a picture of what I described above in that. Look up the Flush Mount Pod Lights thread and and it is in there.

 

[umidkusername]

I have pushed wires through the main grommet three separate times and have never had any issues with water leaking in.

Straighten out a coat hanger, then use electrical tape to secure the wire to the coat hanger. Wrap the tape down the hanger a little so that it forms a bit of a “cone” leading up to where the wire starts, and then just pull the hanger through. Easy as that.

In fact, I did this exact thing on my latest mod which I put up this morning, and I have a picture of what I described above in that. Look up the Flush Mount Pod Lights thread and and it is in there.

How about sealant? Did you use silicone or think it will self seal?


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[97BlackAckCL]

A sharp exacto knife is all you need, but you'll have to cut both grommets as there are one on each side of the firewall. No sealant needed if you make the hole the right size

 

[choochoo]

How about sealant? Did you use silicone or think it will self seal?

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TBH I don't think you really need to seal it unless you plan on going through deep water crossings. If that's the case, would run some silicon over any penetrations you make.

If you make smaller penetrations (need to use force to pull wire through), the rubber makes a good enough mating seal with the wire for typical every-day use and typical trails.

I've cut large X-s in mine to pass some larger wires through and didn't bother to seal... no plans to go through deep water here. Driving through puddles shouldn't be a problem either, as all that water is stopped the the wheel well.

 

[mbumpus11]

How about sealant? Did you use silicone or think it will self seal?


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The reply above me nailed it - make the hole the right size and you’ll be fine. Really you only need a hole as big as your wire fish/hanger, and it will stretch the rest of the way around whatever you pass through the grommet. If I were to use any sealant I would probably do it on the engine bay side, but reading the question here is honestly the first time I’ve really even thought about sealing it.

Additionally, while I just did a write up about a new mod, I used the same method about 4 years ago when I first put my light bar on. Haven’t had any leaks, and have driven through plenty of different scenarios with no issues of anything getting into my floorboard or interior.

 

[mrblah]

i used a sharpened chopstick...

 

[RusPro17]

I don’t know what wire your pushing thru. But I pushed thru my Bajadesigns wife for my led light bar. Yeah it was tight but it went thru without using a coat hanger wire.

 

[umidkusername]

i used a sharpened chopstick...

I guess I’m worried about that sharp edge hitting one of the wires in the loom. And I won’t know it was hit until I start up the 4Runner and repairing it seems like a nightmare.


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[umidkusername]

An idea just occurred to me:


The hole above the main wiring room with the removable grommet: can I use a step bit to increase the size of that hole, buy a grommet through Amazon and fish the wire through that? That way I can totally leave the main wiring loom/grommet alone and not worry about hitting one of the wires.

Thoughts?


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[mbumpus11]

An idea just occurred to me:


The hole above the main wiring room with the removable grommet: can I use a step bit to increase the size of that hole, buy a grommet through Amazon and fish the wire through that? That way I can totally leave the main wiring loom/grommet alone and not worry about hitting one of the wires.

Thoughts?


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I have also contemplated drilling into the firewall and replacing/creating a new grommet/hole, but I have continued to decide against it because the area is simply so difficult to get to.

The wire fish method has worked over and over, and while I certainly understand (and agree with!) the concerns of stabbing into wires, it is actually easy to avoid.

If you do go the drilling method, please make sure you document because I might end up doing that in the future if it works out for you!

 

[thinkviv]

Not sure if you already cut the little nipple and ran wires through that or if you're talking about a different grommet. I made a video a few months back about how I ran a pair of 8 gauge wires through the nipple on the main grommet on the passenger side (drivers side is the same), the end shows how I sealed it up with silicone. Grommet nipple starts around 3:52, sealing it 17:24 :Wiring from Engine Bay to Interior Accessories 5th Gen 4Runner - YouTube
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/94yyWXuUDC4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
hope it helps

 

[rageandlove]

Alright folks. I need to get one wire through the firewall and need to go through the main grommet with the main wiring loom. I have a 2020 pro and that thing is tighter than a frogs butthole. How in the world do you go through that without accidentally cutting wires?

I’ve already used the smaller hole above it that has the removable grommet. So I’m running out of options.


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There is a second removable grommet on the pass side.

You can also buy a cable gland from Amazon and if need be. I’m not interested in drilling firewall but I’ve seen people enlarge those two holes so they can use a larger gland.