What is the path for the antenna cable to get back into the cabin?

[rubirnr]

1996 LX450

I’ve searched Mud and the internet, in general, but haven’t found what I’m looking for.

Someone stole the power antenna locking nut and the antenna shaft exited the unit. Not knowing what I was doing, I broke the shaft’s geared plastic lead; it was very brittle.

I got a replacement, but since I still didn’t know what I was doing, I couldn’t get it installed. I thought there might be a piece of that lead still wrapped inside the unit, so I decided to remove the antenna body, with the intention of working on it in the engine bay.

It came out completely because the signal cable was severed. I know that this antenna body was installed a few years ago and I wonder if the original was severed as well.

I’ve fixed this cable by getting the piece connected to the factory radio and reattaching it to the section permanently attached to the antenna body. (I found a YouTube video on how to do this)

I’m thinking that I need to get some type of lead from the passenger footwell through some hole that would lead to the fender area. I would then attach the cable to this lead and pull it through.

Am I on the right track?

I reached up high from inside and I found an unprotected hole that feels like it could cut through the cable, but I just can’t get my 12g wire into that hole. My hand feeding that wire is getting in the way of feeding that wire, if that makes any sense.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Once I get this resolved, I’m doing a complete audio upgrade with a new head unit, speakers, and an external 8-channel amp, with DSP, that will connect directly to the tweeters, midrange and subwoofer drivers without the need for crossovers

 

[Broski]

I run a ham antenna in the OEM spot ( fender) I for sure got it into the cabin with out taking the fender off.

 

[doc_random]

This is a picture with the fender off and the antenna hanging. Just to help with a visual of the cable path from the antnna into the cabin.

 

[John Young]

Hey all. I realize this is an aging post on the subject of fishing new antenna cable from fender to dash. However, after using this post and trying many of the suggested methods to do so, I failed. I to was ready to remove my fender when I tried a different last minute approach and easily "got it". You may give it a try. With your antenna removed from fender you can use the open hole for the fish wire. The hole that goes to dash is small and can't be seen from fish point. I used a round auto telescoping mirror which I inserted thru the door jam (passenger door half open). I placed a flashlight at the EC access point to light up inside fender well. With the mirror in the fender well, rotate to find fish point then rotate counter clockwise and the dash hole can then be seen. Bend your wire at an angle just enough to get it in. I went by feel then double checked with mirror I was really in. Because it will bottom out, you only need to get maybe an inch or so in. Then, with footwell removed, I was able to stick my fingers in and retrieve fish. I had my wife jiggle the fish from outside so I could find it. It should be located up in the highest corner toward firewall. If I had to do this again, this method should take no more than 30 min. Hope this helps!

That is really clever! Thank you for posting.

 

[Kernal]

Got photos of how you approached it?