Hardwiring radar detector?

[ssmathis]

Has anyone tapped power within the maplights on a 4th gen for a radar detector? I searched and read a lot of info about hardwiring but all I could find was running wires down the a-pillar.

Thanks,
Scott

Oh, and I just purchased an 05 Limited V*8 4x4 yesterday and loving it.

 

[gsr2is300]

Has anyone tapped power within the maplights on a 4th gen for a radar detector? I searched and read a lot of info about hardwiring but all I could find was running wires down the a-pillar.

Thanks,
Scott

Oh, and I just purchased an 05 Limited V*8 4x4 yesterday and loving it.

Congratulations on the purchase. I have a similar 4Runner.

I hardwired my Escort 8500 using the SmartCord and I tapped my cigarette lighter power cord. It was switched, and would only come when the car was turned on with the key. I don't know if the Map Lights are switched or if they are on all the time. It was easy to remove the pillar and the center console.

 

[CVsGX470]

Re: Re: Hardwiring radar detector?

Congratulations on the purchase. I have a similar 4Runner.

I hardwired my Escort 8500 using the SmartCord and I tapped my cigarette lighter power cord. It was switched, and would only come when the car was turned on with the key. I don't know if the Map Lights are switched or if they are on all the time. It was easy to remove the pillar and the center console.

Unfortunately I couldn't do this b/c I travel through states that don't allow them. And unfortunately I have heard that there is equipment out there that the cops use to see if you have one. Not worth a ticket to me. I wonder if turning it off is good enough even if it has power going to it?
CV

 

[Bobby]

I tapped into the sunroof switch which was the only 13.8v switched power up there that I could find and tap into easily. The map light power is too low to power a radar detector properly.

I was the one that had to route wire down the a-pillar for the remote display on my Valentine 1.

 

[gsr2is300]

Re: Re: Re: Hardwiring radar detector?

Unfortunately I couldn't do this b/c I travel through states that don't allow them. And unfortunately I have heard that there is equipment out there that the cops use to see if you have one. Not worth a ticket to me. I wonder if turning it off is good enough even if it has power going to it?
CV

I travel through Virginia frequently and simply unhook my Radar Detector from the windshield and the power cord. I don't want to worry about being pulled over by an officer and facing and additional ticket for my detector.

I can post some pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[Koz]

The detector has to be turned on to be detected.

Koz

 

[CVsGX470]

The detector has to be turned on to be detected.

Koz

Don't think that I am stupid ! I have heard that if they have a power supply they could be detected. Thanks for the input.

 

[ssmathis]

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up tapping the power for the compass mirror and works great now.

Scott

 

[FCSCouto]

The detector has to be turned on to be detected.

Koz

true, cops use something called vg-2 that detects is, butttt, if your pulled over, its much easier to just have it in your glove box, then have it out and be like, well actually officer i had it off, dont worry

 

[Runnin]

Living in VA, i have heard that if its in your reach while sitting in the drivers seat, they can slap u with a ticket. But thats just word of mouth, not sure what the exact laws are.

 

[gRunner3]

Any Pictures?

Anybody have any mounting location pictures (that haven't already been posted in other threads) that they'd like to post? I want to hard-wire an Escort radar detector somewhere near the top of the windshield in a permanent location. I would like it to not be completely obvious that it is there, either. I don't want some thug breaking in to steal it. I know you really can't hide it but just wanted to see some pics to get ideas of different locations.