Hardwired Radar Detector

[5amKot]

Finally got around to hardwiring my Escort Passport 8500 x50. Purchased the Escort Direct Wire Smart Cord from Best Buy(was available in store) and a Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit low profile mini fuse set from Advanced Auto Parts.

Ran the wire through the headliner and down the A-pillar to the footwell (tucked the wire behind the rubber door gasket). Clipped off the power line if the smart cord and crimped it into the Add-A-Circuit and plugged it into the ACC fuse in the interior fuse box behind the hood release latch. Fed the ground wire through the engine firewall and grounded it using the factory fuse box ground located to the right of the battery on the body. I chose the ACC fuse (7.5) so that every time the car is on, the radar detector will turn on. Then, using the supplied double sided velcro, I ran the button up the steering wheel column and stuck it on the left side below the steering wheel.

Happy to help if you have any questions.

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[T4Ranger]

Escort 8500 FTW! Nice install


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[4runnerlaw]

I powered my 8500 right off the auto-dimming rear view mirror wires using the direct wire as well - nice and simple, working perfectly for 2 years, the amp draw is so minimal I've not had any issues and it powers up with the ignition.

 

[MSU_Spartan]

Nice work. My OCD kicks in overdrive looking at the cords. I just installed my Radenso yesterday using Mirror Tap off the power feeding the mirror. Easy and clean install...took maybe 10 minutes.

 

[arehman11]

I powered my 8500 right off the auto-dimming rear view mirror wires using the direct wire as well - nice and simple, working perfectly for 2 years, the amp draw is so minimal I've not had any issues and it powers up with the ignition.

I did the same thing. Works great!

 

[1BAMF]

Finally got around to hardwiring my Escort Passport 8500 x50. Purchased the Escort Direct Wire Smart Cord from Best Buy(was available in store) and a Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit low profile mini fuse set from Advanced Auto Parts.

Ran the wire through the headliner and down the A-pillar to the footwell (tucked the wire behind the rubber door gasket). Clipped off the power line if the smart cord and crimped it into the Add-A-Circuit and plugged it into the ACC fuse in the interior fuse box behind the hood release latch. Fed the ground wire through the engine firewall and grounded it using the factory fuse box ground located to the right of the battery on the body. I chose the ACC fuse (7.5) so that every time the car is on, the radar detector will turn on. Then, using the supplied double sided velcro, I ran the button up the steering wheel column and stuck it on the left side below the steering wheel.

Happy to help if you have any questions.

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Wow, you mean you're actually able to get your 4Runner above the speed limit?! Sorry man, just kidding, couldn't resist, lol.

Nice install!

 

[tjnptel1]

not trying to troll but I didn't think our rigs are fast enough to warrant a radar detector. I have a V1 sitting in the garage after I sold the lexus. I had it hardwired straight into the fuse box using a fuse tap, which was easily reversible when I sold the car and nothing looked tempered with.

 

[RajjyP]

How does one tap into the existing power for the mirror? scared to screw something up? Anyone have pics of the process? What type of tools necessary?

 

[5amKot]

not trying to troll but I didn't think our rigs are fast enough to warrant a radar detector. I have a V1 sitting in the garage after I sold the lexus. I had it hardwired straight into the fuse box using a fuse tap, which was easily reversible when I sold the car and nothing looked tempered with.

Not excessively speeding, just gives me a little peace of mind when on the road.

 

[4runnerlaw]

How does one tap into the existing power for the mirror? scared to screw something up? Anyone have pics of the process? What type of tools necessary?

Only two wires go into the rear view mirror. Unplug from the back of the mirror to give yourself some space. The plastic covering the wire on the window just pulls down from the headliner and reveals the wire inside of a tubing. Carefully take a razor blade to slice the tubing open, you will find 2 tiny wires. Careful to peal back the insulation on wires and solder to your radar hard wired connection, if I recall there was a grey wire which is your neg(-). If you do it right you should be able to tape it up and fit it right back under the plastic wire cover for an OEM look where it splits off then to your radar detector.


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[MSU_Spartan]

It’s not hard. Only 2 wires on my 5th Gen. Blue is Power and Black/White is ground. I used Mirror Tap. No wires to strip. Just find the tap that fits in smoothly and holds and connect. Worked great. See my post below for pictures.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3267134-post37766.html

 

[TurkEclipse]

I have a 2020 and want to hardwire my radar detector with mirror tap. Hasn’t anyone tried this? Wondering if there was a guide as I am not sure the the safety camera that the 2020s change how you would install it. Any input appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MGordo]

I have a 2020 and want to hardwire my radar detector with mirror tap. Hasn’t anyone tried this? Wondering if there was a guide as I am not sure the the safety camera that the 2020s change how you would install it. Any input appreciated. Thanks!

I went looking the other day to see if this would work on a 2020, and it appears as though the mirror is different and the power cables are connected to the radar/safety camera and not exposed..

 

[Mandm723]

Would there be any way to wire that mute button next to the steering wheel to a blank switch?

 

[ToyStory]

[MENTION=145415]5amKot[/MENTION] Were you able to put the fuse panel cover back on with the add-a-circuit in place? It doesn't look like there's much of a gap between the cover and the tops of the fuses on my 2020 4Runner.

Would there be any way to wire that mute button next to the steering wheel to a blank switch?

I like the way you're thinking. You know, the SmartCord is in essence an ordinary phone cord (it has an RJ11 connector on the end). I believe the red and green leads are the ones used to power the detector (I believe red is ground and green is hot), so probably yellow or black is the mute (and the other for the alert LED). Research/test/verify all that before you go frying your 4Runner or equipment because I may not have my facts right, but I think the blank button idea would work. Anybody know for a fact?

 

[Hawkeye99]

I went looking the other day to see if this would work on a 2020, and it appears as though the mirror is different and the power cables are connected to the radar/safety camera and not exposed..

Was wondering if you ever figured out the wire tap to the mirror. Just bought a 2020 after trading my 2016. No place to plug the wire tap. Really don't want to hard wire to fuse box under the hood but will if I have to.

 

[TurkEclipse]

I've been waiting since November for someone to post some instructions. I havent removed anything. Have the mount up and ready.

 

[HoldMyBeer]

V1/BlendMount/MirrorTap.


Always on when I need it. Never find that it has fallen off the windshield because of suction cups, hot temps, etc. Love it.

 

[TRDHULK]

Finally got around to hardwiring my Escort Passport 8500 x50. Purchased the Escort Direct Wire Smart Cord from Best Buy(was available in store) and a Littelfuse Add-A-Circuit low profile mini fuse set from Advanced Auto Parts.

Ran the wire through the headliner and down the A-pillar to the footwell (tucked the wire behind the rubber door gasket). Clipped off the power line if the smart cord and crimped it into the Add-A-Circuit and plugged it into the ACC fuse in the interior fuse box behind the hood release latch. Fed the ground wire through the engine firewall and grounded it using the factory fuse box ground located to the right of the battery on the body. I chose the ACC fuse (7.5) so that every time the car is on, the radar detector will turn on. Then, using the supplied double sided velcro, I ran the button up the steering wheel column and stuck it on the left side below the steering wheel.

Happy to help if you have any questions.



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I have the same radar and hardwire kit, but havent installed yet.

Where did you get that mount? I like that a lot.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

not trying to troll but I didn't think our rigs are fast enough to warrant a radar detector. I have a V1 sitting in the garage after I sold the lexus. I had it hardwired straight into the fuse box using a fuse tap, which was easily reversible when I sold the car and nothing looked tempered with.

None of my cars are "fast". All 4 of them run detectors. It's nice to know when cops are around.

Especially if you tend to be a person who is breaking the law in other ways than just speeding.