Martinjmpr
New member
OK, I'm pretty much a newbie at installing aftermarket electrical stuff, so please bear with me...
I have two electrical "projects" I need to work on for my 99 SR5.
First, I have an outside temp gauge that I'd like to install into a pillar-mounted pod. I have the gauge and pod already, the only hard part (for me) is how to wire the thing up. I need to connect to a power wire, and also to something that is switched on with the lights (to activate the gauge's dimmer function.)
I have never taken the plastic panel that covers the A-pillar off before - is there an electrical wire that runs through there? I figure there's got to be some way to get power to the map lights in the overhead console, so there must be a power wire running up either the driver or passenger-side A-pillar, right?
But then I have to find something that will be energized when the lights are on - what's the best place to find that? Anyone done anything like this before? I know there are a bunch of wires that run behind the kick panel on the left side below the dash, and some that run underneath the sill panel on the driver's door. I'd rather not have to tear too deeply into the dash because I'm never 100% sure I can get it back together correctly. OTOH, I don't want it to look like some jury-rigged POS, I want it to look 'clean.'
Second question, I have a 2m HAM radio that I want to install. The manufacturer recommends connecting the power directly to the battery but I'd prefer to run it through a switched connection so the radio can't be turned on unless the ignition is on. Any ideas on where I can connect into the wiring? The radio will be mounted to the right side of the transmission hump just below the center console, directly to the floor, facing upwards so I can see the display. That's the only place I could think of that wouldn't require tearing apart the dash.
Any advice/tips would be appreciated!
I have two electrical "projects" I need to work on for my 99 SR5.
First, I have an outside temp gauge that I'd like to install into a pillar-mounted pod. I have the gauge and pod already, the only hard part (for me) is how to wire the thing up. I need to connect to a power wire, and also to something that is switched on with the lights (to activate the gauge's dimmer function.)
I have never taken the plastic panel that covers the A-pillar off before - is there an electrical wire that runs through there? I figure there's got to be some way to get power to the map lights in the overhead console, so there must be a power wire running up either the driver or passenger-side A-pillar, right?
But then I have to find something that will be energized when the lights are on - what's the best place to find that? Anyone done anything like this before? I know there are a bunch of wires that run behind the kick panel on the left side below the dash, and some that run underneath the sill panel on the driver's door. I'd rather not have to tear too deeply into the dash because I'm never 100% sure I can get it back together correctly. OTOH, I don't want it to look like some jury-rigged POS, I want it to look 'clean.'
Second question, I have a 2m HAM radio that I want to install. The manufacturer recommends connecting the power directly to the battery but I'd prefer to run it through a switched connection so the radio can't be turned on unless the ignition is on. Any ideas on where I can connect into the wiring? The radio will be mounted to the right side of the transmission hump just below the center console, directly to the floor, facing upwards so I can see the display. That's the only place I could think of that wouldn't require tearing apart the dash.
Any advice/tips would be appreciated!
