OK, I just finished up my install (still waiting on the sub enclosure from the group buy, but that's ok) and I decided that I wanted to bi-wire my front speakers. Also, after amping the fronts, the stock guage speaker wire just isn't enough. With some guidance from Encore, I was able to run 2 x12 guage wires out to each of the doors. Took some pictures and have some tips to hopefully help others who are thinking about doing this.

 

If you haven't already removed the door panels, do so now.

I found it easier to do the drivers side first and would recommend starting there to get the hang of it.

First you need to pull the light grey 'lever' down (as pictured). Normally, this 'lever' is at the top of the harness located between the door and the main body of the car.

 

Next, remove that half of the harness from the current location

 

go ahead and remove the kick panel and pop out the 'female' side of the harness. If you look, you will see there is plenty of space not used. This is where you trim out the plastic for the wire(s) to pass through. I found a sharp utility knife to be the best for removing the material (dremel and drill wasn't that good).

 

Heres another of both sides of the harness

 

the wires passed through the first half of the harness

 

There is a black plastic 'bracket' that surrounds the male portion of the connector. This needs to be removed - note the catch where the screwdriver is. It will pop right open by using a flat tip screwdriver. Then remove that light grey 'lever' from step 1

 

pull back the black rubber loom. here you will see the second place you need to remove material.

**NOTE**
Make sure it lines up with where you removed material from the other half. If it isn't lined up, there will be excess wire between the two when you go to put everything back together, it won't go!

 

the wires pulled through the other half of the harness

 

fish the wires through the black rubber loom into the door. I used Encores suggestion of a long zip tie electrical taped to the wires - worked great. You also may want to remove the opposite end of the loom that attaches to the door. This made it easy to grab the zip tie with some needle nose pliers and pull.

Now, to put it all back together...

Replace the black 'bracket' and light grey 'lever'. Feed the male portion of the harness back into the hole in the car body. Take out the excess slack on both sides as you place the female portion as close as possible to the mounting location.

**NOTE**
make sure your wires are NOT twisted and that they line up. Not having this will not make it easy for you to put back together - trust me


Now, push the outside piece into the car and put the two pieces back together. Then, put the top of the entire connector back in place and pop the bottom back in.

You are now good to go!

 

Great posting. I wish I had taken pictures so I could have helped you more. Good job.

 

Just finished doing this "mod" ... and I really want to say "Thank You!" for this. It was extremely helpful in getting the wires run quickly and somewhat easily.

Thanks again.
Jim

 

GREAT MOD...

but it took me for EVER to get one door finished. I must be a moron

Anyway, thank you very much for the mod and the idea, it worked great.

A note to those who are going to do this, BE VERY CAREFULL WHEN YOU ARE "making" the hole on each plastic clip, it is very easy to slip and possibly damage another wire or pin.

Again, thanks for the mod and the idea!

 

thanks for the pics as I have already mastered the door panel removal "how to"

but was wondering did you notice any difference in sound with better wires?

 

Don't know yet, I am not done. But I will tell you that if you have replaced the door speakers and plan to use them with an amp, using bigger wire will make them sound better. If you are leaving the speakers stock (or not pushing new ones with an amp) then I would say don't bother, it won't help because the head unite from Bose is a POC

 

how do you sire the rear speakers?

 

i meant wire*

 

This was a great help.

One note, I ended up pushing the rubber flex hose / grommet inside the door to allow me to run the wire in easier.

Chris

 

thx, handy guide, i'll be wiring front speakers in a week or two and had no idea how to run the wires through the hinge area.

 

Word of caution..this is one of the trickier things to perform as most of your work will be within the narrow confines of the door hing. Watch out not to dremel too much of the plastic connector or you could easily damage other connections. Also, fishing the wires through when you are running thick gauge is not that easy. I ended up having to make some cuts in the rubber sleeve to help pull it through. Definitely this can be done but look forward to some bruised knuckles and cuts.