Routing coax down B-pillar

[KK6JYX]

I have an '04 dodge ram quad cab and I just drilled and installed my Larsen NMO 2/70B now I'm stuck as far as routing the coax down my B-pillar on the drivers side. There's a side curtain airbag that goes from the front of the drivers window to the back of the rear window. I've tried googling for locations of the side airbag so I have an idea of where I need to route it but I can't find anything that shows me what I'm looking for other than a deployed bag from a distance:

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/pix/airbag2.jpg

I'm tempted to just go fishing with a coat hangar and hope for the best but I don't want the coax getting in the way of anything.

I COULD drop the headliner, and trim pieces, etc. but I'd rather not. That's more work than I really want to deal with. BUT if I get frustrated enough, I just might!

Thanks!

 

[mmckenna]

It's tough, and harder to do if you don't drop the headliner, at least part way. I had a similar issue with my 2009 Ford Escape, and again with a 2011 Ford F150. Routing the coaxial cable around the air bag units is possible, but you need to be abel to visualize everything. Either removing trim or removing headliner is going to make it easier. Getting the coax routed above/behind the air bags and well out of it's way is easily done. Just keep the coax up high against the body sheet metal. I used "gaffers" tape (think duck tape on steroids) to hold the coaxial cable in place.

Routing the cable without the connector on makes things easier.

 

[KK6JYX]

Thanks mmckenna. I guess I have some work ahead of me!

 

[SCPD]

Where did you drill the hole? I have a 2006 Dodge Ram quad cab and have one hole drilled where the interior cab light is and the other hole is near the third brake light. I have both coax cables routed back to the C pillar and down inside the trim to both radios located under the rear bench seat. It was a simple install just using an old antenna whip, black electrical tape to tie/secure the coax end to the whip, and carefully fishing it between the headliner and roof.

Your quad cab rear door has a rubber gasket around the door opening, and with a little tugging and pulling, that can be carefully removed to allow the coax to be fished to the edge of the door and then down inside the C pillar trim panel. The door sill trim can be easily lifted to route the coax under and to the location of your radio. I would suggest buying a trim removal/lift tool that stereo shops use to lift trim as not to damage the plastic in any way. I bought mine at one of the big name automotive stores and it wasn't expensive.

 

[KK6JYX]

I drilled the hole just aft (~1") of the dome light to clear the roof cross-brace. I am planning on mounting the radio under the drivers seat which is why I'm wanting to go down the B pillar.

 

[KK6JYX]

Ok, I just got back in from fishing... for coax. It took 2 casts and I got her hooked! It's neatly routed up and over the airbag down the B pillar and coming out at the bottom next to my seat. Wasn't all that hard. Now on to power, then getting my hands on a head unit extension cable. I don't need the whole kit. And finally the hardest part, deciding where I want to mount the head unit. Thanks to all!

 

[com501]

If you WANT the airbags to work, and not void your insurance if they go off, you should plan on CAREFULLY dropping the headliner and verifying the location of the side, column, curtain, and seat airbags if you are so equipped. Remember that some newer SUVs have curtain airbags on the sides.

Do some research on them to see how they deploy. You MUST remove the trim so you can route behind them and the harnesses so you don't interfere with them and a)cause them to fail, or b)cause them to rip something out that you don't WANT out and kill someone with it (like a seatbelt retractor).

Crap happens awfully fast in an impact, and there is a tremendous amount of energy involved.

Take your time, do it right, or hire it done.

 

[com501]

Ok, I just got back in from fishing... for coax. It took 2 casts and I got her hooked! It's neatly routed up and over the airbag down the B pillar and coming out at the bottom next to my seat. Wasn't all that hard. Now on to power, then getting my hands on a head unit extension cable. I don't need the whole kit. And finally the hardest part, deciding where I want to mount the head unit. Thanks to all!

Did you SECURE the coax inside the B pillar to the existing harness or to the outside skin or is it just loose and flapping around in there where it will a)rattle, or b)get caught on a moving part??

 

[KK6JYX]

I sure did. As a former avionics technician, my anal wiring habits and low tolerance for anything that moves that isn't supposed to has carried over into my civilian life LOL.

 

[com501]

Then I assume you used waxed thread like the rest of us.... LOL!!

Lacing, a lost art.

 

[KK6JYX]

Wow I haven't lace tied in quite some time. And yes it definitely is a lost art. My last unit they made us use zip ties.

 

[giguchan]

I watched a bunch of At&t,/ Lucent techs use "10 cord" or waxed string.... they were sewing cables and wires like they were in it for the money.... never seen such tight work...nothing moved.!! nicer than zip ties... although all of my installs I use zip ties... I'll have to learn how to sew!