hard-wired radar detector...

[Quakecom]

Hey guys,

I have a radar detector which I would like to hard-wire so i dont have to switch it on and off anymore. I thought about wiring it to the compass in my overhead console. Does anybody know how to take it off? Also, has anybody done anything like this before and could give me some advice...?
thanx

Quakecom

 

[Stephen S]

Hey Quake, I installed an overhead console in my truck and hardwired my radar detector at the same time. I tapped the "luxury radio" fuse in my fuse panel (my truck doesn't have the luxery radio anyway) and powered my detector and my console from there. It's only on when the key is on.

Since your truck already has a console, your life is a little easier. when you take your console down, open the wiring harness and find a GRAY wire with a YELLOW stripe. This is the power to the console. If you tap off this wire, your detector should come on with your ignition when your console comes on. Then just find a screw to ground the detector to.

To get the console down...if you have a sunroof, just get your fingers on it up close to the windsheild and pull down hard. It will be tough but it will unsnap from the roof and come down. Then pull it forward to get the lip from under the sunroof trim.

If you do not have a sunroof, then open the sunglass/garage opener comaprtment and take out the 2 screws you see. Then get your fingers on the console up close to the windsheild and pull down hard. Hope this helps!

 

[tbomb]

um, i wouldnt just assume that the gray wire with the yellow stripe is the wire you want. they dont always use the same color wires in every truck; if i were you, id get in there with a test light and make sure you get the right wire.

i found this out the hard way when i tried to wire my fog lights independent of my headlights...sucked.

 

[aldive]

I hard wired my detector as follows:

I got 12 v power from the fuese block. Ignition on power. I also used a ground in this area. Then ran a wire containing a red and black 14 g up the A pillar and then I pulled down the overhead console with a sharp jerk at the front ( near windshield ). I then ran an electrician’s snake under the headliner to the area over the driver’s door. I removed the trim molding to access the wire that I ran up the pillar; then pulled the wire under the headliner. In the area under the overhead console I spliced the detectors factory wire into my new wire. After putting the console back in place the detector wire was accessible from the front of the console.

Works great and in well hidden.

Giid luck with your project.

 

[Stephen S]

Tbomb, I can almost assure you that the gray wire with the yellow stripe is in every truck with an overhead console. Each console is wired the same way, I found a wiring diagram that included the wire colors and connection locations. It was the only way I would have known how to wire mine when I installed it.

But still, my recommendation is to do it the way Aldive and I did. Just run a designated wire from the fuse panel that is on with the ignition and avoid cutting into any stock wiring.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Stephen S
Tbomb, I can almost assure you that the gray wire with the yellow stripe is in every truck with an overhead console. Each console is wired the same way, I found a wiring diagram that included the wire colors and connection locations. It was the only way I would have known how to wire mine when I installed it.

But still, my recommendation is to do it the way Aldive and I did. Just run a designated wire from the fuse panel that is on with the ignition and avoid cutting into any stock wiring.

its very possible, i dont know anything about the consoles (or most of the wiring in the trucks for that matter.) all i know is that fog lights were different wiring colors; but yeah, the way al did it is really the best way.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I wired mine the same as Al cause I had a hell of a time finding a hot wire elsewhere.
For mounting I screwed the suction cup window bracket, minus the suction cups, to the console.

 

[swak6287]

guys, what is the best radar for the buck? my sister is a heavy padel stumper. thinking of it as a xmas present

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by swak6287
guys, what is the best radar for the buck? my sister is a heavy padel stumper. thinking of it as a xmas present

I would only consider products from Escort.

Currently their top of the line is the Passport 8500 (http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm ). This is a fine unit and works extremely well.

They are available now for $299.95. This is a bargain considering what one speeding ticket costs and its subsequent effect on your insurance price.

 

[swak6287]

how about whistle and cobra????

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by swak6287
how about whistle and cobra????

If you want the good stuff,m stick with Escort products.

Goos luck

 

[rpenner54]

Check out this guys custom installations... The detectors themselfs are in your dash and on the rear bumper.

www.installer.com

Dead Link Removed

Pretty crazy cool stuff!

 

[Bill Kemp]

Check out www.speedzones.com for their tests of many detectors.
There isnt too much difference in performance of the better ones. How good of one do you need?
Many are available on ebay.
I have been partial to Bel as they havent let me down yet.
As for Laser..IMO it doesnt make much difference cause it usually gets you when the detector detects it.

 

[TJM623]

Question...

I was thinking of drilling a hole into the 1 of the 2 felt holes in my center console (Console with rear controls on it) and running the wires to a switch that i'd place into my tissue compartment since I have no use for that...But i'd rather not have to use switchs i like the idea of using things already in the car...So i like this idea of hooking up into the overhead console. How would i run from under my center console to up on overhead? My thought was through the center console out by pedals and run it along the bottom to the corner and then up by door under headliner to the overhead? Sorry if this is confusing someone lemme no if this sounds like a good idea? I'm trying to hide my radar detector as best as possible seeing as i'm younger and IMO it'd be harder to get off with a warning if i still got pulled over if the cop saw a radar detector, just my opinion though.

 

[Stuman78424]

I installed mine between the console and the rear view mirror, i hardwired it into the console wiring, its been several months now i dont remember which 2 wires i used but everything has been working fine if you want me too i'll take it down and look and see which wires i used, just let me know. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[Rhett]

Talk about resurrecting an old thread!

Previous owner of my truck had a radar detector hardwired. It's a 12v line running up thru the headliner with the connector coming out by the sunflap thing. I never use it though. I've never had my truck over 86 mph because there's no need.

I'm thinkin about taking that line (it's a 12v line) and rigging up a temp sensor or electronic gauge pod, or something actually USEFUL. A radar detector isn't useful in my truck, if I get pulled over, I simply tell the smokey, "You say I was goin 85? Sir, my truck won't even go 85 miles per hour."

 

[TSTONE]

I just pin tapped the power connector for my mirror & taped it up - been working fine for years.

 

[Gcrop]

When I cut my radar detector's wire, will I find two wires? How do I know which needs to go where?

Geoff

 

[aldive]

When I cut my radar detector's wire, will I find two wires? How do I know which needs to go where?

Geoff

Take a look at the cif lighter plug end and look at which wire is the positive lead and which is the negative.

Good luck ...........

 

[Gcrop]

Take a look at the cif lighter plug end and look at which wire is the positive lead and which is the negative.

Good luck ...........

Does Radio Shack (or similar) sell the plug to go from my radar detector to the cig lighter? I kind of hate to cut it and find out later that I can't get a replacement at a common store.

Geoff