[SlackerNJ]

Today I hardwired my Beltronics RX65 into the wires that power the rear view mirror. Should be very similar for any other radar detector. Took about 1/2 hour and you'll need a phillips and a flat head, a pair or pliers, and some electrical tape. You should always unplug the battery when working on the electrical system.

The old mounting solution - very sloppy


First I removed the drivers sun visor - 2 phillips head screws.


Then removed the map lights. First pry the plastic as shown


and then remove the two phillips head screws inside.


Find the wires that go to the mirror. It is a white plug with three wires a yellow with a blue stripe, a brown with a yellow stripe, and a black. Yellow is power and black is ground.


Clamp the hardwire kit onto the yellow wire and use pliers to squeeze shut until it clicks. Then just insert the harwire end into the clip and tape it up.


Pop out the pin that holds up the roof panel over the mirror. Coil unneeded wire with a tie wrap and thread the portion you need under the interior roof panel to the location of the radar detector.

Thread the ground connection through the map light (there are several holes) and attach to one of the screws that holds up the map light.


Reconnect battery and test before reinstalling everything in reverse order.

Final set up:




I know there are dozens of places to put the detector with advantages an disadvantages to both. Heres why I chose mine...

The corner is stealth. Can't see it from behind, cant see it if you come up to the car, and you'd have to look to see it through the tint from the outside. The detector hangs low enough to shoot out under the tint. It is also close to my head which lets me turn the volume low and not annoy everyone else in the car. Easy to reach too. Lastly its clean looking and out of the way. I know that its not in a good spot to catch LIDAR, but hey, if they laser you, your done anyway.

Cheers

[SlackerNJ]

Since several people have PMed me about this I will add it here. The homelink mirror wires are present even if you don't have the mirror. You just have to fish around for them. If you use the wires to the map light you will need to turn the detector on and off by hand or it will stay on all the time.