Ok, in VA radar detectors are illegal. However I want to get one anyways =P What I was thinking is that I would attach it to power via the one of the power wires going to the bulbs in the front overhead area. That way there would already be a 'Lamp' switch for it. But then it would turn on w/ the doors opening/closing... hmm... Maybe I'll have two switches for it... but anyways.

Ok, here is where I need the most help... How to mount it and will it fit? This is where I want to mount it.

This isn't my ex...
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058397931_17_full_edited.jpg

This is though:
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058picture001_edited.jpg

Here are some pics of it mounted on other vehicles:

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058v1_drivervu.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058image002.jpg



I would need to make an enclosure for it, so that it would just look like a black lump when just sitting there. Excuse the ghettorific diagram... I am not the artistic type.

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058diagram.jpg

I'd want to put a decoy on the box, so that if a cop said "what is that?" I can flip a switch on it, and it will light up or do something to give the box a purpose other then housing a radar detector =P

V1 specs: 4.5 in. L x 3.6 in. W x 1.0 in. H.

Now - I can make a ghetto ass box and mount it (ask hokie about my ghetto mods :D ) But I want it to look nice. I've never worked with fiberglass or anything - I dont even know if that would be practical in this application. So, I'm looking for ideas on how to make the enclosure, mount it (perferably without permanent damage), what decoy to put on it, and anything else people can suggest.

Thanks
Patrick

as a decot, you could mount a couple of LEDS on the bottom of it, and say they are accent lights. :D

I will probably do that - but I also need something that requires a big box there...

What about..... Putting the key part of a lock on the flip down door, and then say its a lock box for your sunglasses, money, etc. and its so high up so thieves can't see it from the outside of the car, b/c of the sun strip

That sounds dumb doesn't it? lol

That actually brings up a very very good point...

The box needs to be strong. And also, another reason for the decoy - if someone breaks in, they wont bother trying to open it, only thinking it is some stupid light or something.

what about just blending it into the overhead console, and using factory material to cover it, nobody would be basle to tell, if it were done right, not even cops.

I wouldn't know how to do that... atleast material wise... that is a good idea though, I could just make it look like the rear view mirror support....

hell, you could do it with wood, and just round all the corners to match the OH Console, you'd just have to use... say 5/8" plywood or something... as long as its think enough to round off after its put together.

would I have to worry about heat at all?

no, I don't see why you would, as long as you keep the back open for the sensors. That would allow some airflow.

heres another idea, my uncle lived in virginia and had a radar detecter, he took it apart and mounted the sensors in the rear view mirror and monted the rest of the radar detector in the ashtray all you could see was a few leds when the ashtray was open.

that is a great idea... and I might consider doing it... but with a ~$400 radar detector.... I wouldn't trust myself taking it apart

why don't you and him start a ghetto mod thread? maybe a ghetto ass mod thread? or even just a ghetto ass thread?

Just mount it without a stupid box around it... My friend has a Valentine 1 and it is the baddest of the bad when it comes to detectors.

if a cop sees a radar detector i think, "within arms reach" he can give you a ticket. My friend had his unplugged sitting on his dash and a bike cop pulled him over and gave him a ticket for it. was like $70 or something.

the velentine i am prety sure thats what u have pitured is able to be hidden in my dads mustang its under the seat but the arrows are on the dash like a remote thing its hard to explain but its only 1x2" or something like that its really small ill see if i can get some pics and send it to u

I know the remote thing you're talking about... but hiding it under a seat, I think would reduce its detecting ability by a great deal... I mean they talk on the website about how some OEM tinted glass w/ metallic pieces in them can cause havoc to the v1.

Pat, how did you know my dad has a V1?
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058v1_drivervu.jpg

Anyway, he's got his mounted just like this 'cept that its on the other side of the mirror (so when the cop passes you, the auto mirror will hide it some I guess).

The V1 comes with a hard wire plug that we mounted under the cup holders in the console. We tapped off his radio ignition sense power wire. The plug uses a phone cord to send power/ground to the unit. We ran this under the dash (behind the glove box) and up the window sill (behind trim) and under the roofliner to the unit. Very clean install and dad just takes it down when he's not using it and the wire/suction cup stays there.

Here's what i'm talking about. I boxed where dad's is and I boxed where mine is. I put mine there b/c I didn't have the hardwiring kit and it was tucked nicely behind my Honda parking sticker. Now that there's no Honda sticker, well, I guess I should move it.

Radar dectors MUST be mounted on the windshield or dash. If there is not a clear 'view' from the back of the detector, you're just wasting your money. There cannot be any metal in the detectors line of sight, if you read the manual, even your windshield wipers can alter performance.

The only way to have a hidden mount of the detector is to buy the one made by Passport that has around 5-6 sensors that you remote mount in the vehicle. But this thing costs $$$$

As for heat, the heat sink of my Passport is in the plug and not the unit. But its also nearly as old as me ;)

Mine was simple!!

I took the suction cups off the bracket that came with it (Escort 9000 something, few years old), bent the bracket slightly and shoved it into the glue that holds the windshiled in place.

The wires get the + and - from the map light power wires.

Stealth install, very simple. Also the detector has a built in quick release so I can take it down easy.

Now you gotta be careful, it will interfere with your visors if you dont mount it far forward enough :)

otherside of the mirror 'eh? Just like this one? =P
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058image002.jpg

I just realized that the laser sensor is w/ the controls, and not bundled with the other sensor that faces the rear. I guess I'll have to leave the door open all the time... oh well.

I know a lotta things about your dad... =P
Actually you told me on saturday when we went to get drinks for the xmas party. How have you or your dad not gotten a ticket for it yet? I guess maybe things are diff in charlottesville, but in fairfax the cops love to get you for ANYTHING. That is why I gotta have the box - which wont obstruct the view of the detector at all

410fortune: but doesn't it turn on/off when you open or close the doors as well?

on a 88 BII? hell no! It turns on when I push the power button on the radar detector.

If I wanted to I could have wired it to an accessory power wire, so it would go off with the key. But unless I left it parked for about 2 months with the radar detector on I dont think my marine cylce Optima is gonna get drained!

I hardly use the radar detector anyways, mostly just long cross country trips....I have only had 1 speeding ticket in the truck, and its been my daily for over 7 years now!! hahaha and its not for lack of trying!

I just figure they see a BII with big tires and figure it cant even go fast enough to speed....little do they know, they probably just feel sorry for me for having such an old truck :)



hahahaha

here is the wrench in the fan.
In VA. & DC they have radar detector detectors.
So the cops will know weather or not if you have one in operation.
Beyond that the grille mount remote ones would be the hot ticket but they are very costly. East to install though.

the v1 can't be detected by radar detector detectors.

You know they have the equipment to detect detectors.

After that you could put a cover on you're license plate so the radar won't see you.

Don't speed, you won't need one.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by hydroxy
the v1 can't be detected by radar detector detectors.

:rolleyes: http://www.cichlidforums.com/images/smilies/rotfl.gif

Originally posted by 2001ExpSport
:rolleyes: http://www.cichlidforums.com/images/smilies/rotfl.gif

He's not kidding... the technology is called VG2 i think

The Valentine One and the Passport 8500 are the only 2 detectors that are invisible.

I only use mine on the interstate and when running in packs, so if they pick up my detector, they won't be able to tell with vehicle it is. Also, I fire up the CB so I know where every cop is hiding before they see me.

Technically, the state law making detectors illegal is Unconstitutional, but thats another argument. Read up on the 1933 Federal Communications Act if you want to find out why.

Yes, the key thing is not to speed rediculously. My detector is not a cloaking device or protection. Its just a way for me to know when they are out there, and between that and my CB i have a pretty good handle on where they are.

Just don't be stupid and try to drive your Ex at 104 mph and then take your eyes off the road (and hands off the wheel) to take a friggin' picture of it. Idiots like that deserve to be caught and get their licenses revoked b/c they are a danger too all people on the road.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=1993

A. It was open road, if anyone woulda gotten hurt, it would have been me.

B. I've only done it twice.

C. There is a BIG difference between speeding and speeding recklessly. I dont dodge in and out of traffic or cut people off. I speed when the opportunity presents itself. Which tends to be more often then not =P

about not speeding, so I dont need a detector- If you're not going 10+ over in Fairfax, you're going slow, but at 10+ over, you can get a ticket. I mean even around campus here, it is very easy to brake the 25mph limit... my friend got a ticket for going 33.
Anyways, not trying to start a war, just saying my $.02

"The Valentine was invisible to the VG-2 detector detector, and it also didn't set off other detectors."

Caranddriver.com

Originally posted by hydroxy
A. It was open road, if anyone woulda gotten hurt, it would have been me.

B. I've only done it twice.

C. There is a BIG difference between speeding and speeding recklessly. I dont dodge in and out of traffic or cut people off. I speed when the opportunity presents itself.

Reckless driving: 20 + mph over the posted limit or exceeding 80 mph on a federal interstate, or any behaviour perceived by the officer as unsafe to the drive/occupants or others on the road

Originally posted by Hokie
Reckless driving: 20 + mph over the posted limit or exceeding 80 mph on a federal interstate, or any behaviour perceived by the officer as unsafe to the drive/occupants or others on the road

oh damn lock me up and throw away the key =) 100mph is almost an every day thing for me i mean 85-90 is flowing with traffic around here =)

there is no need to go that fast other than a need for speed... do i do it, yes.... i have been very stupid in the past, i still speed, but i dont dart in and out of traffic or drive as wrecklessly as i used to, it isnt worth the $ or life, mine or anyone elses.....

what about some how putting it inside of the housing of a cb radio?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm That is a really good idea... Now I just need to find a non-working CB that someone is getting rid of =P and it would need to be relatively small...

GOOD IDEA!!! I'm in Va too an i want a radar detector. My frined has one in his lexus and its not visible but they have never stopped him for it and he passes cops everyday. I was thinking of making a 3-guage A pillar and putting it in there w/the back cut out.

Originally posted by mhn3773
oh damn lock me up and throw away the key =) 100mph is almost an every day thing for me i mean 85-90 is flowing with traffic around here =)

If you use a radar detector on a daily basis and around town, you are going to get caught. Plain and simple. Besides, driving with one around town will drive you insane due to all of the noise that they pick up (every automatic door opener for gas stations, grocery stores, etc ~ yeup, thats X band radar)

If you feel the need to get a detector on your daily drive, you need to rethink your driving habits.

If you buy a radar detector so you can speed, you will get caught.

They are meant to be simply warning devices for the alert driver. Just so you know one more thing about the conditions that you are driving in.

Besides, doing anything above 80-85 is just down right scary (and stupid) in an SUV. Doing anything above 85 in ANY car with people around is not only stupid, but irresponsible and selfish. If you want to wreck your truck in Montana and kill yourself, go for it ~ but don't drag others into your selfish acts.

A Virginia Tech student was recently convicted of manslaughter because he was recklessly driving his SUV (Explorer I think) lost control, and hit a mini van head on. The van had parents and their 2 kids, on their way back from a cubscout meeting. The entire family was killed and now he has that on is conscience for the rest of his life.

Maybe I just don't get it ~ but speeding wrecklessly to get somewhere 8 seconds sooner, or the thrill you feel when you drive that fast, or whatever your reason, is not worth taking the lives of a young family.

Originally posted by Hokie

Maybe I just don't get it ~ but speeding wrecklessly to get somewhere 8 seconds sooner, or the thrill you feel when you drive that fast, or whatever your reason, is not worth taking the lives of a young family.

I'm with ya on that. The only reason I want a radar detector is for on trips and back roads. I love driving on the interstate at night when there is noone out. I also have many back roads by my house that I travel on frequently and I barely ever pass a car going down those roads. Me and a bunch of friends also do alot of street racing on the back roads. We have to watch for cops but we also stay clear of anywhere the drivers can wreck into while they are racing.

NOTE: I do not race my explorer :) I am just a spectator

"You know you're from Northern Virginia if..."
http://expage.com/northernva


"
1. Speed limits are just suggestions
38. When you were driving on the beltway at 2:13am on a Tuesday there was still traffic
39. Crown Victoria = undercover cop
40. A slow driver is someone who isn't going at least 10mph over the speed limit
47. Someone has honked at you because you didn't peal out the second the light turned green.
48. You've honked at someone because they didn't peal out the second the light turned green.
49. Rush hour lasts all day
56. You know at least 3 alternate routes to avoid sitting at a stop light.
57. You can't pull up to a 7-11 without seeing at least one cop, and usually there's another cop sitting not too far away.
58. You refer to distances in minutes, not miles.
"

well i dont drive an suv =) least not when im speeding and i personaly dont own a radar detector it just comes along for the ride in the car ( its not MY car) MY car doesnt bo about 75 lol

Could you put it below the dome lights above the back seats? Would it not work as affectively or what?

Originally posted by section525
Could you put it below the dome lights above the back seats? Would it not work as affectively or what?

It needs line of site. They're made to be set on the dash or in the center of the windshield above the dash. So yes, any large body of metal will throw off (block) the signal and therefore reduce its effectiveness

Well, don't they work out the back, from the dash? So moving it back would make the front less effective and the rear more effective? Maybe?

hmmm I could mount it there, however I think it would look more 'awkward' being there, then above the rear view mirror (above the mirrors, it will just look like a black blob up there). Plus, I would have to buy a remote visual adapter so I could see it in the driver's seat, and I think most radar would be coming from the front then the rear - so that would be a place I wouldn't wanna reduce its effectiveness...

Question: Do you guys think the strip of blue tint on the top of the windshield interfere with the radar??

Also, remember this.
They are RADAR detectors, not COP detectors.

Be careful folks.
There is more at risk than tickets.

ok... CHANGE OF PLANS!!! So earlier tonight, i'm starting my DD shift for some girl's party as repayment for her buying me at a bachelor's auction, the proceeds of which benefitted sick babbies. I go to adjust my rear view mirror and *snap*... ends up in my hands. Glue stayed attached to the windshield... the mirror didn't. I attribute it to being 28 degrees outside and constant rattling from subs. But anyways - Now that this hunk of junk is off, I think I will use this opporotunity to better incorporate my radar detector mount. (keep in mind, this is one of the auto-dimming rear-view mirrors)

Prior to it snapping off, I had made a mock-up cardboard box, guesstimating what dimensions a CB carcass would be. Needless to say, it doesn't fit well. The temperature LCD screen hangs too low, putting the detector at an awkward angle.

I've decided that I want to try and make a custom molding that will house the detector & temp LCD display, and still have the rear-view mirror be mounted as high up on the glass as possible. How difficult would this be? I've heard that fiberglass can be hard to work with; are there any other alternatives? I just need to be able to mold on something new while still looking good.

Thanks,
Patrick

Edit: I'm still going to have the CB radio faceplate to mask it, but I dont know if I'll use/need the whole rest of the body to hold the detector.

Methinks you're thinking too much

what kinda mounts did u use to put that second set of 6" lights by the license plate?

Originally posted by adidaswear
what kinda mounts did u use to put that second set of 6" lights by the license plate?

Who are you asking? Pat had some REEEEEAAAAALLLL ghetto mounts that he finally took of.

eh... dont ask about the mounts... they were something fashioned at the last minute because I wanted to have my lights on before the huge ass snow storm we got last year in NOVA. Then I just never got around to replacing them *cough*hokie*cough*. Do a search for like 'Light brackets' w/ 'hokie' as member name... make them like that.

I think I might put those 6" lights underneath my ex, facing backwards at unsuspecting drivers... =P
Then I could go offroading again, right Hokie?

If you get you a Passport 8500 to use, mount it at the top of the mirror, very hard to see it and then you can add the ZR3 to it. That is a blocker that has 2 detectors that mount on the front around the license plate and then 1 detector that is mounted on your license plate in the rear. I have 2 of these set-ups and they are extremly useful. The only thing that will show at all is the passport 8500 itself, but can be taken down in a heart beat because only 1 wire is attached to it and it is just like a telephone jack.
Hope this helps.
HotDogs

Ok, so I orderd the V1 today (beyond pennyless right now)... so look for construction pics in the next 2-3 weeks (hopefully sooner). I just need help on how to make the housing that will... house it.

I'm not going to use the whole CB shell, just the face plate (which will flip down, exposing the detector). I dont think fiberglass would be practical because I've never used it, and the housing is going to be relatively small.

I was thinking about using foam and sanding it, but I think that would be a hassle since I couldn't just sand it inside the ex. My ghetto way of doing this was going to be to tape up the area that I was putting it, and sticking a blob of clay there. Then I'd just mold that how I wanted it. Then I would find some sort of plastic to melt over it, thus creating the housing.

I need ideas on how to make it. It will house the detector, 4.5 in. L x 3.6 in. W x 1.0 in. H. and will need to match the contours of the ceiling console. Thanks for your input.

melting plastic, this should be interesting...

I figure if I put it in the oven and then slowly increase the temp, checking each time if it is bendable enough...

Besides... it'll be in your oven hokie =P

ok well F)(#*$ is all I have to say. Got a speeding ticket today (first one) 20 minutes after leaving school. 79 in 65. Cop was a real ##### too... but anyways - one thing that made me mad, was that I was in the right hand lane, and people were passing me on the left hand lane - yet I get the ticket.... go figure.

School is like 4 hrs from my home address (address on license) so I doubt the guy will show up to court, thinking I wont drive 4 hours for a stupid speeding ticket. Court date is 3 days after xmas break is over. So I'm thinking I'll goto that to see if he doesn't show up. I might also try and get my speedo calibrated, because the tires I have on now ARE a different size then the stock ones... we'll see how it goes

Lastly - it is the most ironic story, b/c my V1 was sitting here at home waiting for me when I got here.... ugh.

Anyways - I still need construction ideas - anyone, anyone??

I thought the board wasn't supposed to be used to condone illegal activities....:D

Haha...irony exists in everybody's lives!! But then again, you probably weren't the lucky one since you're the one who was caught instead of the others. Just drive slowly next time. :)

Let us know how the project is going.

He probably pulled you over b/c he knew you were about to take a picture of your speedometer ;)

if i was going fast enough to take a picture of my odometer, I would have been arrested for wreckless driving probably.... :rolleyes:


The thing is, it was around a corner and I saw people slowing down, and I has a gut instinct that there was a cop there... but for some reason I only tapped the brakes a little bit...

Originally posted by hydroxy
School is like 4 hrs from my home address (address on license) so I doubt the guy will show up to court, thinking I wont drive 4 hours for a stupid speeding ticket.

He will show up. Don't bank on him not showing up. I guarantee you that you weren't the first or last ticket that he wrote that day. Cops were pulling people over left and right on 81 b/c they knew VT was letting out and all of the rich kids were driving daddy's SUV's back north. The truckers were cursing the students something awful coming back last night.

ha! the truckers can curse us all they want... it is our road too ya know. I know that a lotta people cut them off and bahblahblahb but that happens to everyone. And yes, I know they are very important to our economy and whanot.

anyways - pics of the new V1 in action should be up soon

Do you have oversize tires? If so, take a picture of what the size of your tires and of what the drivers door sticker says and go to court. You might not be able beat the ticket, but you might be able to lower the fine and get away w/o getting any points.
(S X D1) / D2

S=Speedometer reading
D1= Diameter of tires
D2=Diameter of tires on door sticker

Alrighty guys - I was anxious to get some road time in w/ my new V1 so I took it out for a spin. Even without my housing/CB radio. Of course, I didn't bother to read the directions carefully enough before I left so I didn't know what mode to have on during the city - so I had the 'report all' mode on... You should have seen it when I pulled into Home Depot, lit me up light a christmas tree.. got 5 on bogey counter, signal strength at 6, with all arrows lit... But anyways - the black car infront of me was an undercover cop...


Pulling into a shopping center:
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058pictoiuure009.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058picture011.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058picturkke010.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058pictllure012.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3225/10058picture013.jpg

I think if anything my new tires are smaller =( old ones were 275/35/r15 new ones are 255/55/r18... but I'm going to find the pricetag that went on the door (one w/ mpg and options etc etc) and see if that has it... Maybe if I show them the spare, which I think is very small, they will dum it down... we'll see

does that cop have a blank plate?

Probably just the quality of the image, you figure a license plate is only 6"x9" or something close to that.

ahh ok i was bout to say

hey also i thought the dectors wouldnt work with things blocking them? isnt that one behind the parking sticker on ur windshield?

Anyone knows if there's gonna be a decreased sensitivity if you put the radar behind the tint strip at the top of the windshield??

ok, certain things blocking them are OK (take your windshield for example)... the tint strip I would think would be ok.

http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/Mount.asp

I asked Pete Kaufman from valentine if mounting it behind some thin, clear plastic would effect it at all. He said it wouldn't. I'm guessing the stickers would have 0 effect on it as well.

I know its awhile after you posted about the cop not showing up but trust me they ALWAYS show up unless they know they are wrong because they are gettign paid overtime for showing up at that and if they win then they get more money so... lol i would show up if i were the 4 hours is nothing.

It's my understanding that tinting doesn't affect radar, but it does drastically decrease laser detection.