Roof Strengthening Rails

[Gareth]

Ok, I'm not sure if this is Other or Bodywork, but I'm sure someone will know...

As I understand it, the A-pillars as they pass the front screen are hollow to allow the headlining wires to pass through... therefore the roof rails running along the tops of the doorframes should also be hollow.

I've ordered a CD changer that I might want to fit in the boot (haven't decided yet - depends how big it is); if I can get the three cables up the screen pillar and along the roof channel (where the headlining wires go), will it come out in the boot, just above the rear wing? Or is the final part of the channel blanked off...?

It'd save running cables too close to the pedals, or fixing wires near any weldable bits...

Failing that, I might just stick it under the seat... It won't arrive until the end of next week anyway, but I thought I'd try and find out first...

[simmitc]

Assuming we're talking standard saloon, then the hollow frame continues right over the side windows. Wires can exit and drop down beside the rear seat, but behind the headlining, and thence into the boot. Should all be nicely out of sight and protected. You'll probably have to loosen the headlining a little bit to jiggle things through - the old wire coat hanger is jolly useful. Good luck.

[Cam]

Hmmmm.......... an umbilical cable for a CD multichanger is quite thick and the connectors on the ends are quite largeish too (DIN connection if memory serves). I had a multichanger in my Mini about 10 years ago and the cable was really thick.

You might not be able to pull it through the hollow frame. Just run it next to the inner sill under the carpet on the passenger side (glue it down to the floor/sill with some spray glue). It should be well hidden and free from being trampled on. Then run it up next to the rear seat and into the boot.

[Gareth]

That's the other plan, but I wondered if getting it through the rail would be easier... Sounds like it could be possible, but I'll have to wait for it to arrive. Heigh ho. Thanks, chaps!

[Cam]

Probably not easier, but better if you can do it. Good luck with it!

[Gareth]

An update, guys. I tried to get the cables through the roof channel, but I could only get them as far as the B-post. No problem, I thought, maybe it'll be easier to get them from the back to the front. Investigation proved that the rail did not exit into the boot area, and it appears that the rail is either closed off totally, or it exits around the rear wheel arch.

So the cables (one stereo cable with two phono plugs at each end, and the somewhat thicker bus lead) are under the carpets and nicely concealed from view. The changer itself sits on carpet and is held down with velcro - looks a good job, if I say so myself... ;)

[Matt]

So now you don't have to just sing....... you can sing along to something!!!