Good Job!! I did something very similar with my ham radio install, but I had my antenna on the passenger side. I then ran it through the back panel, through the factory harness cover boot thingy and through to the FJ. It took a bit, but the install looks great and you can't see any of the wires.

 

Very clever.

 

Nice.. Well done.. Ron

 

That is pretty much what I did. Although yours has a cleaner look due to the use of the rubber grommet where the antenna enters the door. Nice work!

 

Thanks for the idea, Swicago! After seeing this, I set mine up the same way (including a grommet). I drilled mine on the small angled section below the hinge. Two layers of metal in that location but very easy to drill. And I've routed the wire into the jack compartment and through to the back seat. Shortly, my CB install project will be completed.

Thanks again!

toby

 

Wow .. thanks everyone for the positive comments...it was really simple to do and looks way clean.
People, when your done, share your pics...I'd like to see them.

After seeing this, I set mine up the same way (including a grommet). I drilled mine on the small angled section below the hinge. Two layers of metal in that location but very easy to drill.

Yep, it's two layers... but as you said...no big deal.
I did mine below the angle section, so the hinge would not be weakened.

btw do you have any walkthrought for getting the pannels all off so i can run my lines?

I had my panels removed, since I did the linex at the same time. You can attempt to do the coat hanger tip posted above by "in the trees" or follow these steps
1)Remove seat back panel
2)Unbolt seat
3)Remove rear cargo floor panel
4)Remove Sill covers
5)Remove partially rear door jam rubber seal from frame.
6)Remove side panel. Screws at the bottom. Use a nylon prybar.

Takes about 30min and gives you full access to cleanly run the cable and zip tie to main harness.

 

NICE and CLEAN, mine still goes through the
door opening and sandwiched' between the
door sill and seal... ...

 

looks good, im in the process of running my wires up to the front, through all the panels. btw do you have any walkthrought for getting the pannels all off so i can run my lines?

 

btw do you have any walkthrought for getting the pannels all off so i can run my lines?

No need to remove any panels. I used a long coat hanger "snake" to fish the line from the jack compartment to the rear seats. The "snake" will pop out by the plastic panel near the floor when the rear seat bottom is folded forward. From there you can easily tuck it under the other wall panel with your fingers. This is as far as I got so far, but I plan to continue to run the wire under the plastic door sill panel and to the driver's kick panel. I hope that helps.

toby

 

One of the cleanest installs I have seen for the cable routing. I copied your installation method and the extra effort is definitely worth it.

Thanks.

 

Great write-up, AL. :bigthumb: :bigthumb:

It's been added to the FJ Cruiser Technical Articles - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum. :cheers:

 

Thanks Steve...glad to contribute.

Thanks Al for the write-up.

One question for ya......

Is there a special grommet you used where the wire feeds into the back door, or did you just get one at Radio Shack/Home Depot/Lowes?

Thanks....
Wilkie

Thanks, I just used a standard grommet that you should be able to get anywhere.

 

Thanks Al for the write-up.

One question for ya......

Is there a special grommet you used where the wire feeds into the back door, or did you just get one at Radio Shack/Home Depot/Lowes?

Thanks....
Wilkie

 

Nice clean job! I will go this route as it would be done like factory!

 

Hi,


I would like to install my 5/8 2meter antenna in the back part too, but I still dont understand what is the main piece you use to fix it at the hinge.

 

He is using a Bandi Mount. The moun provides a surface that will accept the cable and antenna.

 

Have you had any issues with the cable getting pinched when the door closes..I routed my cable like you did (at least it looks like I did) and the cable gets pinched each time the door closes.

 

When I took the pics, I had the cable on the wrong side. I corrected that and thought I mentioned it somewhere. You'll want to correct it before your cable is destroyed. I didn't notice until I had already taken all pics and wanted to close the door....I check the first post and mention it before the pic, if it's not already there.

 

Ok, thanks.

 

Awesome, attempting this method tomorrow! Hopefully the gromets and wires all work out.

 

It works. This is how I install all that I do. Suggest a good 3/8 grommet. If you don't have one, let me know and I'll send you one. I buy them 100 at a time.

 

Yep super simple...hardest part is the hole thru double steel, after that it's a cakewalk ..

 

Nice work!

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

I managed to mount the antennas and wires today, had to drill a 1" hole to set up the wires because the connectors don't come off. I like how everything has come out so far. Will have pics up later today.

 

Did you all cut the antenna wire and splice it back together, make your own cable, or did you cut the end and put a new connect on it? How was the reception after? I really like the clean look, but I already purchased the antenna cable.

 

G'day,
Much easier to cut the connectors off, run the cable, and re-wire new PL259 connectors on.
Heaps of you tube video's showing how to correctly solder PL259's to cable.
Cheers
Baz
:blueblob:

 

This is a great post, but I would like to make 1 add to it. (from Experience)

DO NOT, DO NOT, Remove the Vehicle Side of the Loom/Harness. The door side is removed and replaced easily. The Vehicle side is Nearly impossible to put back on.

 

Actually it is quite easy to get out and put back on. You just have to know the trick. There is a tab that is there right about the one O' clock position that you depress with a small screwdriver and that releases the end of the conduit. Done a ton like that.

My advice is DON'T cut the rubber conduit with a razor! :grin Like Baz said, remove the connector and reinstall it. If you bought a Firestik coax, they come without the connector installed.

 

I would be curious to see the install from the storage area to the front of the FJ where it plugs into the CB.

 

I will try to get pics the next one I do. It is really easy. Runs along the left side behind the side panels then follows the door frame to join the factory harness in the door kick panel. I turn under the floor liner adjacent to the AC duct under the driver seat and then up into the center console.