Installing a Garmin LiveScope LVS34 on a Garmin Kraken Trolling Motor: Step-by-Step Guide
Adding the Garmin LiveScope LVS34 forward-facing sonar to your Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor gives you the ultimate fish-finding weapon. Because the Kraken features an advanced pivot installation and internal cable management, routing your transducer cables internally keeps your deck clean and protects your expensive wires from pinching or clipping (0:07).
In this comprehensive guide, Jake from Fish Lectronics breaks down the exact process to successfully mount your LVS34 transducer through the shaft of a Garmin Kraken.
🛠️ Required Tools and Parts
Before beginning, ensure you have the specialized installation kit. Most of the hardware you need comes bundled right in the box (1:30).
⚠️ Important Note: This installation requires pulling structural components apart and feeding multiple thick cables simultaneously. It is highly recommended as a two-man job (0:07).
Step 1: Disassemble the Trolling Motor Head
- Remove the Head Cover: Unscrew the outer housing screws of the Kraken motor head unit (0:07). Set them aside in a secure location where they won't get lost (0:32).
- Disconnect Internal Leads: Carefully snip any factory zip ties securing the wires inside the head (0:41). Unplug the factory transducer cable data lines and disconnect the power terminals (red to red, black to black) (0:53).
- Slide Down the Hardware: Remove the rubber O-rings and slide the locking collars down out of your way (1:08).
Step 2: Drop the Lower Unit & Pull the Wires
- Adjust the Depth Collar: Move the Kraken's depth collar up the shaft slightly to expose the base assembly (1:57). This creates enough clearance to comfortably insert your tools (1:57).
- Remove the Six Base Bolts: Use a 3/16" Allen wrench to remove the six main structural bolts holding the lower unit housing to the shaft assembly (2:05).
- Pop the Grommet: Grab the specialized plastic removal tool included in your Garmin kit (2:12). Use it to pry the stock rubber transducer grommet out of the housing seat (2:34).
- Pull Factory Wires: Once the grommet is free, pull the internal factory wiring bundle straight out of the lower assembly housing and set them carefully aside (2:34).
Step 3: Prep and Route the LVS34 Transducer Cable
- Determine Prop Orientation: Check which side of your boat the trolling motor prop faces when stowed (3:32). For instance, if the prop faces the outside of the boat, your LiveScope transducer must mount on the opposite side to avoid interference (3:32).
- Modify the Transducer Cable Cap: Take your LVS34 cable connector. Using a pair of pliers, clip off the small plastic alignment tab on the side of the connector head (3:53). This piece is garbage and must be removed for the cable head to fit up through the narrow trolling motor shaft (4:11).
- Seating the Lower Grommet: Slide the kit's split lower rubber grommet onto the transducer cable, ensuring it faces the correct directional orientation (4:20). Slide the wire through the bottom structural hole (4:33). Leave roughly 9 inches of slack dangling at the bottom (4:47).
- The Fish Tape Pull (Two-Man Step): Feed your mechanical fish tape down through the top of the trolling motor shaft until it exits the bottom (5:05). Securely tie your LiveScope transducer wire along with the three original factory motor cables to the fish tape (5:21). Have one person gently pull the fish tape from the top head unit while the second person carefully guides the thick wire cluster into the bottom of the shaft (6:04).
Step 4: Secure the Bracket & Transducer
- Re-bolt the Housing: Once the wires are successfully pulled through, slide the lower housing back into position (6:11). Reinstall the six base bolts (6:20). Pay close attention to your screw sizes—they feature short, medium, and long lengths that correspond directly to specific heights on the bracket (7:12).
- Lock Down the Bottom Grommet: Remember the lower split grommet you slid onto the cable earlier? Ensure it is perfectly seated back into the entry hole (8:12). Use your specialized Garmin tool to tighten it down completely until it comes to a firm, natural stop (7:47).
- Assemble the Mount Brackets: Connect the main adapter plate to the motor housing using the large hex bolt, washer, and included Allen wrench (8:42). Ensure the integrated alignment notch lines up properly before cranking it down until it is rock solid (9:08).
- Attach the Perspective Mount: Attach your perspective mount arm to the base adapter (9:38). Align the white indicators on the housing to dial in your standard Forward Mode or Perspective Mode orientation (10:00).
- Attach the LVS34 Transducer: Take the small plastic spacer disc specifically labeled for the LVS34 out of your kit (10:13). Note the built-in tracking tab—this tab must always face upward (10:21). Snap the disc directly into the transducer bracket keyway, align the transducer body, and lock it down securely using the long, flat mounting screw (10:29).
Step 5: Final Wiring in the Head Unit
- Feed the Top Port: Push the small plastic wire block out from the inside of the Kraken head unit (11:06). Feed the top end of your LiveScope cable cleanly through the dedicated single-hole pass-through block, then snap the block back into place flush with the head housing (11:18).
- Reconnect Factory Terminals: Slide the internal split connector and red rubber sealing O-ring back onto your factory connections (11:50). Reattach your positive and negative power leads (red to red, black to black) and replace the zip ties you cut during disassembly (12:23). Plug in the remaining internal control cables (13:09).
- Assemble the Transducer Collar: Place the final split collar connector and rubber O-ring onto the tail end of your LiveScope cable until you hear it click firmly into place (13:09).
- Manage Exterior Cables: For the remaining length of the cable exiting the top head unit down to your physical LiveScope black box or bulkhead port, neatly wrap the wire and secure it tightly with zip ties at every single corner and pivot point to guarantee it won't bind during deployment or motor rotation (13:52).
- Reinstall Head Cover: Double-check that all cables are tucked neatly away from pinching components and screw the head cover back onto the unit (0:07).
Your Garmin Kraken is now fully rigged with an internally routed LiveScope system and ready to hit the water!
Have Questions About Marine Electronics?
While this project is highly rewarding and absolutely manageable at home with an extra set of hands, routing marine hardware can get tricky (14:51). If you run into issues or want a professional team to build your dream rig, reach out to the pros at or stop by Thorne Bros Marine Electronics.
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