Question about Toyota's chassis ground connetions

[sovamind]

I know that it is very common that in automotive applications that the chassis of the vehicle is used for a negative power return, as well as the vehicle ground. I am currently about to install some radio equipment in the vehicle and it would be better if I could have the ground and negative power returns separate (similar to a boat or home wiring system).

Questions
1) Does anyone know if Toyota uses the chassis for negative power return? I'm assuming yes, as I see that the started only has the one positive power connection, and also the negative terminal of the battery is directly connected to the chassis.
2) Assuming #1 is the case, other than the starter, and alternator, does anyone know how many other places in a 4th generation a return current is sent back along the chassis and not a dedicated power connection?
3) How feasible is it to separate the negative current returns from the chassis and only use the chassis for a true ground (allowing the vehicle's body to act as a RF shield and providing additional protection of equipment)

Sova

 

[Plumber]

I know that it is very common that in automotive applications that the chassis of the vehicle is used for a negative power return, as well as the vehicle ground. I am currently about to install some radio equipment in the vehicle and it would be better if I could have the ground and negative power returns separate (similar to a boat or home wiring system).

Questions
1) Does anyone know if Toyota uses the chassis for negative power return? I'm assuming yes, as I see that the started only has the one positive power connection, and also the negative terminal of the battery is directly connected to the chassis.
2) Assuming #1 is the case, other than the starter, and alternator, does anyone know how many other places in a 4th generation a return current is sent back along the chassis and not a dedicated power connection?
3) How feasible is it to separate the negative current returns from the chassis and only use the chassis for a true ground (allowing the vehicle's body to act as a RF shield and providing additional protection of equipment)

Sova

Unless you are running ludicrous amounts of power to your stereo you shouldn't have any issues with grounding stereo anywhere you please as long as you don't try to share an amp ground with grounds from other types of electronic equipment.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Almost all vehicles with the exception of some very strange oddballs use the chassis as a ground return path to the battery. I wouldn't have any qualms about using the chassis as a ground return path, but if its that much of an issue you can always run a stand-alone ground cable straight to your negative terminal.

 

[bob3dsf]

Ham Radio?

Sova,
Based on your comment about RF shielding, I'm guessing this is for a ham rig, yes?

I'd look on the toyota120 site. They have a sub forum with a lot of ham info:

Communications - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

Maybe this?
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23483

I'm working on my license. I might put a rig in my rig at some point, but I'm not there yet.