Help with locating power lines near cargo area

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 11:35 am

I was looking through the 02 liberty FSM and trying to find wiring schematics.

I need to locate a decent sized power line near the back cargo area to wire in some electronics. Preferably 8 gauge or so.

Can anyone tell me if there is some hidden wiring in the back end of the KJ or do I have to figure out how to pull my own from the side post on the optima battery?

I would like to set up a second battery in the back as well with an isolator, which would be charged by the alternator, but not drain the main battery.

Any help would be appreciated.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 12:37 pm

I have been thinking of doing the same. Except to run an inverter. The only thing I came up with was to run a dedicated line.

Terry

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 1:20 pm

Fulltimer wrote:

I have been thinking of doing the same. Except to run an inverter. The only thing I came up with was to run a dedicated line.

Terry

Man thats a pain

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 2:41 pm

Sure is!

Terry

VTNomad · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 4:39 pm

The 02-04's didn't come with an overhead light over the rear seat like the 05+ models did. So I added one, and got my power from the power port (cigarette lighter plug) in the cargo area. That's the thickest gauge hot wire in the back. I've had the entire interior out.

I was thinking about adding an inverter, putting it where the factory 6 disc (non in dash) changer mounts.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 4:58 pm

If I remember right the power port in the rear is 20amps. May or may not be enough amps to run an amplifier.

Terry

Frostednutz · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 6:05 pm

you wont find 8 gauge running to the rear OEM. you'll have to run a dedicated line but its not to much of a pain. just run it and tuck it under the side moldings. i got 0/1 and a 4 gauge 2 sets of rca cables 2 sets of 12 gauge and a remote wire running to the back. looks pretty clean except where the 0/1 comes out cause it's thicker than a big fat cigar. the isolator you need is a 2-way battery isolator. you can go to sonicelectronix.com and look under instillation and under battery i think and they have 80 amp and 160 or so.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 6:56 pm

If you have the space go with 2 6volt batteries. You will get more long lasting power. Sealed glass mat for inside installation is the way to go. Whatever you do don't use regular lead acid ones inside.

Terry

Frostednutz · **Posted:** Sat May 17, 2008 10:51 pm

i agree death by battery is not a good way to go.

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2008 2:28 pm

Thanks

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Mon May 19, 2008 9:16 pm

running 4 ga wire to the rear of the KJ was fairly easy. I ran it from the battery, back to the firewall and followed a the brake lines down to the underside. from there I strung it along with the brake and fuel lines. To get inside the KJ, i drilled a hole in a metal plug that is above and behind the wheel well. the wire pops up behind the panel in the cargo area on the drivers side.....just make sure you use a grommet when passing thru the metal.

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 12:39 am

good to know thanks

Frostednutz · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 6:31 am

well i dont know if it's in the 03 model but in the rear cargo area underneath the carpet rearmost right hand side is a cap that seals a fairly large hole. i'm thinking of running a few 0/1 through it.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 8:08 am

Frostednutz wrote:

well i dont know if it's in the 03 model but in the rear cargo area underneath the carpet rearmost right hand side is a cap that seals a fairly large hole. i'm thinking of running a few 0/1 through it.

that is what I am talking about....no drilling a hole in your jeep, just a cap!

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 8:09 am

Frostednutz wrote:

well i dont know if it's in the 03 model but in the rear cargo area underneath the carpet rearmost right hand side is a cap that seals a fairly large hole. i'm thinking of running a few 0/1 through it.

that is what I am talking about....no drilling a hole in your jeep, just a cap!

MiniDevil · **Posted:** Tue May 20, 2008 2:00 pm

Hmm if you can run 0/1 cable through it, maybe I could hook up an alternator charge line to an isolated battery back there.

Help with locating power lines near cargo area

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