Monte561

Hey guys, I ordered a directwire smart chord for my Radar detector from amazon for only 30 bucks... Heres the "how to" guide on putting it in.

First decide where you want the radar, I have the big cup mount so the detector sits off the windshield quite a bit and limits where it can go. Ideally you want it relitively high for longer range detecting or very low for Laser detection, IMO i like it high and out of sight. With the mount I have I could only put it just under the mirror.


This particular wiring kit comes with the mute/display module, so the next step is figuring out where you want the module mounted. I chose to put it next to the mirror controls, I drilled out a hole with a uni-bit and fed the wires through.


Next take off the black cover above the pedals exposing the underside of the dash, once off unclip the LED light from the cover.


Next unscrew the black plastic screw on the bottom right side of the knee panel and pull the bottom down and the rest of the panel towards the rear and it will pop right out, dont pull too far because there are still wires and controls connected to the panel.



Next I hooked up the ground wire coming from the back of the display module, there was a ground screw right behind the panel so that made it easy.



Then I hooked up the power wire. The kit comes with a splice connector and couldnt have been easier. I hooked up the connector with the left rear power window wire so I could shut off the radar detector with the power window lockout button if I wanted to.


Once all that work was done I buttoned up under the dash and started running the wire for the detector, you can tuck the wire neatly behind the weather stripping along the side of the dash. I took off my A pillar which was easy, just take a small flathead and pop out the SRS Airbag sign on the top portion of the pillar, once its out 3/4 of the way you can pull the pillar out and toards the rear to remove. I ran the wire behind the pillar and up into the front portion of the headliner, across to the dome controls and behind the mirror to the detector.

All in all it took me about 1 hour to complete. Definetly worth the time and money to free up an outlet and not have the chord hanging down from the windshield.

Here's a picture of the mute/display module. The wire kit came with velcro to secure it but I thought it made it too flimsy and I wanted it to be sturdier so I used super glue gel, worked awesome.



Hope this was helpful.

SV-AWD

Looks sharp! I'm considering switching from my Valentine 1 to the 9500ix because of the false K Band alerts the V1 picks up from the BSI in my '12 Advance. Do you like the 9500ix? I'm concerned that I wont like the Escort because it doesn't have directional arrows.

NFLblitze1

man...those arrows, thats all i ever hear about with a comparison to the V1 vs Passport 8500 x50 or the 9500ix.

however, both are outstanding detectors, you just get a lot more for your money with the 9500ix, i had an 8500 x50, used it for about 10 years, was great to me, dropped it and broke it one time taking it out of the car. Bought the 9500ix, couldn't be happier, Voice Alerts, Red Light Camera Alerts, all bands, Nice blue display, GPS Lock Outs, everything is customizable, even the front screen. If you are a techie geek like me, you love things like that. Not sure where you stand.

But if you are looking to switch to the 9500ix, i don't think you will be disappointed.

Btw, to OP, very nice install, i did the same thing almost similar except i put my mute button under the head unit in my flip doors.

Monte561

I definetly love the 9500ix, there so many different functions. It has GPS so it can save false radar signals or speed signs and automatically mute them when driving by. You can even save common speed trap areas so it will alert you 1/4 mile before approaching. It's a really versatile detector, I have no complaints.

dannyz

Thanks for the nice write-up. I'm going to be hard wiring my Escort-live bluetooth enabled power cord this weekend. It has a slightly different and larger control module, and I'll have to find a spot in the dash for it. For those unfamiliar, the Live cord allows you to like your iphone or android phone to the detector with an app that tracks K and Ka radar alerts on a map around you--pretty slick.

I think I'll run mine lower down next to the bottom of drivers a-pillar--its slightly more stealth tucked tightly in there. Is there a fuse box down under the drivers side where I can use a tap behind a fuse? (just bought the car yesterday).

Here is Kansas City a 9500ix is an important accessory. It doesn't false because it remembers locations of false sources via GPS, and uses a national data base of red-light cameras and traps. Thanks again!

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

i did something similar but modified the spare button and fit the internals of the hardwire into that button, took some work but came out looking factory! also tapped into a fuse with "add a circuit" and it's so much easier than a coiled power cord. yesterday i received my beltronics pro 500 and will be giving my beltronics v995 to my wife!

abirvalg

relying on auto mute, i simlpy ran a long cheap old telephone extension wire (the radar PS has the same RJ connector as landlines) behind the panels all the way to the utility jack under the armrest, no disassembly or wiring to do, just tuck the thin wire behind panels

Schugg

This is likely the approach im going to take, did you cut the dash filler peice, and remove the main face/internals of the mute switch to fit into it? it kind of looks like it but its so flat/smooth, I cant tell. If I do go the route of adding a mute button is there really a need to adding a power off shortcut? is there any benefit to a quick power off over a quick mute? any advice on how you did it would be great! I'm pretty OCD and I cant deal with a little black mute box hanging around or sticking out of my dash!

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

hey man, yea i moved the vsa button to the spare slot and completely gutted (drilling and exacto-knifing) the spare button. then i took apart the remote mute/hardwire kit for radar detector and made it fit into the gutted spare button.

getting the actual fit was pretty tough because of the way the spare button holds in place in the dash is with some tabs so it took a few tries to get it all to line up and the mute button working. in the end though i love it and it looks factory. if you have any questions or want more pics just send me a PM (private message, saw that you are new to the forum)

gutted spare dash button



in regards to your other questions, i highly recommend the power off shortcut. the mute option is there without it BUT if you are going through a construction zone and/or are stuck in traffic, it's better to just turn it off rather than hitting the mute button every 10 seconds. you have to connect to a power source so just connect to the window lock button that way you have the power option if you really need it (i have definitely used it). it's really easy to do this with the add a circuit