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Radar detector installation location? Pics?

2K views 23 replies 13 participants last post by  shady69 
#1 ·
Hello all! I'm looking to find a good installation location for a radar detector. I'd like to have it permanently installed where I can run the power wires where you can't see them. Where is a good spot to do this? Right under th rear-view mirror and run the power wire up into the mirror? Anyone have pics?

p.s.-also, anyone know of a good discreet detector that would install into the front/rear bumpers or something? I'd love to have that if it was affordable. Thanks for any info!
 
#2 ·
Here's mine. I used mirror power to power it up.


 
#3 ·
thanks for the pics! very helpful!
 
#4 ·
xencloud said:
thanks for the pics! very helpful!
You're welcome! 8)
 
#6 ·
Sorry I don't have any pics but there are 3 places that I suggest...but only 2 you can hardwire.

First is obviously right in the top center where your rear view mirror is. Mount it just a tad lower than the mirror and it run your wire straight up and into the headboard.

The second is where your left flip-down visor...a few radar detectors have clips where you can slide it on there and run it through the headboard too.

The third is just forget about hardwiring and stick it lower middle center.

I like idea #2 best IMO if you really wanna hardwire it, but I actually just have mine in the lower middle center and have the cord going straight down...I guess there's always the Escort Solo 2 cordless which runs on 2 AA batteries. I've heard a lot of positive things about it. But you just got a new one so I suggest you stick with it for now, but by the time it dies (in however many years) probably most of them by then will be cordless. It'll be a new world then.

Search for hardwire radar detectors

I went through a few posts but found nothing really that useful. Hope this helps,

sISp
 
#9 ·
dmb359 said:
Thanks. I also searched more and found a few posts, but nobody with good DIY install pictures for wiring to the mirror or something similar.
Just use mirror power. There are 4 wires running to it, you need to use the ones on each side, black and red, I believe. You can cut original V1 cord or use a phone one and connect those. (+) and (-) switch around on a phone cord, so depending on which side you get, green and red wires will switch. V1 will only work when you supply proper polarity to it. It will not burn up if you don't.
 
#11 ·
i have a V-1 mounted in the rear window hardwired. I have power running from the passenger kick panel up through the B pillar to the headliner and back to the radar detector. i also have the wire for the concealed display running up the B pillar up to the front to the rear view mirror where it is mounted...i have pics and will post when i get home (at the office now)

rolo
 
#13 ·
You can also mount it lower on the dash, and have the cable come up from behind the dashtray area. That is what I plan on doing with mine as soon as the hardwire kit comes in. BTW, I have a beltronics Vector 995. It has saved my ass a multitude of times. As far as a kit that mounts to the liscense plate areas, Bel also makes a kit, I forget the name of it. Post if you are interested and I can get the info for ya.
 
#14 ·
vlad_a said:
Just use mirror power. There are 4 wires running to it, you need to use the ones on each side, black and red, I believe. You can cut original V1 cord or use a phone one and connect those. (+) and (-) switch around on a phone cord, so depending on which side you get, green and red wires will switch. V1 will only work when you supply proper polarity to it. It will not burn up if you don't.
This is what I plan to do. Your pictures from a couple years ago didn't show up, so I was hoping you had some pictures of the wiring above the headliner, what all screws do you need to remove to get to the correct power and ground wires. (or did you ground it to the frame?)
 
#15 · (Edited)
dmb359 said:
This is what I plan to do. Your pictures from a couple years ago didn't show up, so I was hoping you had some pictures of the wiring above the headliner, what all screws do you need to remove to get to the correct power and ground wires. (or did you ground it to the frame?)
My memory is a bit fuzzy, but...

Headliner was not affected. I removed the cover on top of mirror base to access mirror wiring (there is a clip points on each side). Black is negative/ground, red is positive. That's it.
The hardest part was soldering the phone cord I used, as the wire itself is very fragile.

P.S.
Sorry, pics got removed a while ago and I don't have access from here to put them back.
 
#17 ·
dmb359 said:
I don't plan to solder if I don't need to. I was just going to use the included hard wire kit for clipping on the positive, and then maybe just hook the negative to a bolt or something.
In that case, you may tuck away extra wire and distributor block under the headliner. I believe someone went this route before.
For me, I didn't want extra parts/wire.
 
#18 ·
IS3UHOH said:
i have a V-1 mounted in the rear window hardwired. I have power running from the passenger kick panel up through the B pillar to the headliner and back to the radar detector. i also have the wire for the concealed display running up the B pillar up to the front to the rear view mirror where it is mounted...i have pics and will post when i get home (at the office now)

rolo
I'm very interested in the rear window pics :)
 
#23 ·
nfamouskhmerboi said:
well i would put it near the rear view..but after tucking in all the wires away..i'm short like 1 foot of wires...is there a place i can go buy one that will fit? without having to hardwire the thing
For V1, phone extension cable may work. ;)
 
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