[beaterjeep]

OK - I know some of ya'll (that's NC for youse guys) have tackled this before...
I'm about to put a roof rack on my '90 XJ. This will finally give me a place for lights. I plan on having lights on sides, front and 1 in the rear. Question - how have you routed a large number of wires inside to access power? I'm afraid that if I try to run more that a couple of small bundles through tthe hatch opening, the gasket will start letting in rain, etc. I'd appreciate ideas.

[wolfepack215]

Like this........



Home Depot electrical Grommets, and routed the wire under(over) the headliner, down the A pillar and put my relays behind the pass. side kick-panel. Power from the Batt. to the relays via the fender well and antenna wire grommet. Switches for lights at the center console..... Use some black RTV sealant in the grommet outer ring when you put it on the metal, and, once you route the wires through it to ensure it is waterproof



That'll do er'.. So go, Git-r-Dun!!!

[BigwillXJ]

Im from NC and yall is all i know. But about ur jeep, IDK how it is on your 90 but my 97 has a gromet in the doorjam of the drivers side door that would b a perfect place to run a wire through that and hide it up under the gutters. hope this helps.

will

[beaterjeep]

wolfepack and Bigwill - thanks alot, good replies. As to the grommet in the door frame, I think you're right. My truck's several miles away right now awaiting some repairs, but I'll check when it gets back. Wolfepack - that switch setup up is really clean. I may have to try that. Thanks ya'll.

[wolfepack215]

Get the switches from Advance (4 pack) and you will need a piece of soft plastic. Use the switch holder as a template and cutout the holes for your switches in the plastic. Paint the "plate" you made with black bumper and trim paint, take out your center console insert and remove the coin tray. You can use RTV Black to hold it to the inside of the console, or cut the bottom of the coin tray out for the switches to go through and use the existing screws to mount it in place. Also, you will need to cut the plastic support on the consoles base, no biggie. I ran a trailer hitch plug (4 wire) just in front of the console so I could remove it if neccessary in the future, and Used color wire corresponding to the switch color(yes, Type A person) to make it easier to identify and add components for future use.......

[smccollamjr]

Another good place for switches is the panel between the instrument cluster and the radio. I think older XJs have a clock in the top part of it. I bought the little round black switches with a green LED (to match the rest of the instrument lights). You can four of them. You could probably fit more of the rectangle ones. I'm 300 miles away from mine or I'd post some pics.

[twisted_ed]

The grommet in the door jam was for lights on the roof on the police models but i beleive if im not mistaken the grommet is only on 97+ models thou i will be drilling and inserting a standard grommet like in the pics above in the same spot for my lifhts. never cut and run wires through a seal, thats just asking for trouble.

there are marine grommets that have a top cap and a casing around it and you put the wires throught the grommet and screw the cap down which crushes the rubber grommet around the wire and seals it up real well. had em on some tugs i used to work for... im on the look out for them right now