I, like many of you, use a radar/laser detector to avoid getting citations and such while driving. The only draw back is that I have my detector mounted to the windshield above my head with the supplied suction cup mounting device and the power cable runs behind my rearview mirror, then hangs down and plugs into the aux. 12v. service.

What I am asking for are suggestions on how to hardwire the detector so that 1) The cable is hidden and out of my field of view. And 2) So that when I turn the ignition on the detector comes on and with the ignition off the detector goes off.

This is thread is specific to the New F150s because I would like to connect it somehow to the overhead modular rail system. I remember somewhere that it is energized. Is this correct? If so then is it 12v? How would I tap into it? If not where then?

Lastly, what kind of power cable (or modifications to the original one) would I need to make this work?

Any insight to this would be greatly appreciated.
Ox

PS: Please no "soap box" speeches about the use of radar/laser detectors. I own one, use one, and will continue to do so no matter what you say.

 

Ox, I too use a radar detector (one of the higher-end 11-band Cobra's to be exact). Why would/do people give you a hard time or lecture about using one??? I'm not a speed demon by any means, but there are times when I go 75+ (65 is the SL in Ohio) and I feel more comfortable using it. I paid only $40 from a friend who lost his license - killer deal! It has probably saved me between 3-5 speeding tickets - never been pulled over once.

Anyway, mine just suctions above my dash in the middle and hangs down to plug in to the 12v outlet. I too am very interested on how to alleviate this nuisance.

 

I do not understand the need for a radar detector. I mean, you shouldn't speed... lol, J/k'ing

A friend of mine has his right above his rear view mirror (guess impossible on these new trucks. I can barely get my parking passes to hang on mine. lol ) and he extended the power wire. Then ran the wire so it runs straight up and behind the headliner, then runs down a pillars and behind the dash. He just has his come out then and plug into the A/C. Getting it behind the headliner and down one of the pillars isn't hard. I had to run wires like that in my old truck.

Will have to find a live wire that's only on when the ignition is on. Maybe one that powers the head unit? If the overheard rail system is live, then you can probably splice into a live wire up there.

 

I have a Valentine 1 radar/laser detector. It comes with a module to hard wire it into the vehicle. I used one of those crimp-on type splicers on the feed to the map light. The unit stays on for about 10 minutes after the ignition is shut off and comes back on when I use the remote to open the doors,

BTW: I have the remote display module also. I ran the wire across the headliner, down the A-pillar, under the dash and fed it out the rubber grommet for the directional signal. the remote dislay is mounted on the steering column, just in front of the hazard signal switch.

Dave

 

You'll need a coupla t-tapes or wire nuts. I prefer the t-taps. They are an electrical connector that wrap around the wire and when snapped shut cut the insulation and "tap" into the wire. Put one on the power and one on the ground to your dome light. Put the appropriate connectors on the end of your power cord after removing the part that plugs into the power port. That will plug into your t-tap and your done. Any excess wire can be hidden under the headliner/rail system. BTW everything on your truck is 12-volt unless Ford switched to a 24 volt sytem(european) w/o telling anyone.

 

I just put mine right above the center storage compartment on the dash and ran the cord between it and the dash. There's a little room there so you can feed a small cord and not have it cut it. Then I just cut the cig lighter adapter off and ran the ground to a bolt behind the radio and spliced the power in to the remote power on to the radio. Now the radar detector comes on when I start the truck and goes off when I shut it off and open the door.

Not a great pic, but you kinda get the idea.

 

i think i read somewhere here that there was constant and switched 12v+ and a ground behind the overhead rail system. couldnt hurt to check

 

Perfect.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. Just what I've been looking for.

Todzilla-Look at Intel486 begining post. Thats kinda what I was talking about. He was clearly kidding but many are'nt.

SafteyDaveG-Different design btwn yours and mine. I have a single all-in-one unit that must be mounted in the cabin either on the dash, windshield, visor,etc... I like the way yours in engineered, it would simplify my install.

BADBLACK99-I love those t-taps. I use them exclusively when I tapping into an existing wire without interrupting the service. I like your idea for the overhead dome/map light but the only draw back is that I think dome light has a constant 12v power supply so the detector will be always on. I guess what I am looking for is a switched supply.

Bleppek-I like what you have done there, however I need to have the detector mounted above my head so that I can easily reach the controls to mute it and switch between city/hwy mode.

Intel486-You hit it right on the head. I need to know if the rail is juiced, voltage, and is it switched.

Thanks fellas
Ox

 

This is what I've been dealing with. I would like to keep the detector in the same spot, just hardwired to a switched power source.



I pulled down the dome/map light unit. Couldn't see any energy source to the rail system. Tested the rail with a volt meter and no juice.



Does anyone know if there is an accessory harness behind the headliner that might be used for the DVD addon or the MOTOROLLA rechargable radios?

TIA
Ox

 

Can always test the line to the dome light to see if it's always juiced. There might be some power up there for the darkening mirrors.

If not, then wire is cheap and it wouldn't be hard to run a wire from the headliner down to behind the dash to get power up there. For a ground you can ground to ceiling. I put a small screw in one of the supports up there to ground some stuff for my nitrous setup in my old truck.

 

I have the exact same setup.

 

IT ALWAYS HAS JUICE. I DID MINE LIKE THAT TO THE MAP LIGHT SINCE I BEARLY USE IT.

 

True V-1 story:

I used to work on heavy industrial construction projects, only got home 3 days each month. I'm driving late one night from Lake Charles, LA to Atlanta, GA to see the wife & children. I have the cruise set on 95+ & am relying on V-1 and cat-like reflexes to keep me out of trouble. I crossed into Alabama on I-59, road & night are clear, I'm sippin' a hot cup o' joe & smokin' a $10 cigar.

Just after I finished the cigar, I round a long curve and see a car parked in the emergency lane. As my headlights catch the rear of the car I see the reflective tape "State Trooper". I hit the brakes just as I pass him and the V-1 goes off full scale. I immediately use turn signal & pull into emergency lane. ST turns on lights & just idles up the e-lane behind me. I turn on flashers, roll down window & put both hands on steering wheel. ST comes up, pauses, flashes his light into the window.

Conversation:
ST:"Can I see your license?
SDG:"Yes sir, its in my hip pocket"
ST: "Go ahead". ST takes license. "You know why I stopped you tonight, Mr. SDG?"
SDG:"Yes sir"
ST:"I clocked you at 80 mph"
SDG:"Yes sir you did"
ST:"What's the hurry tonight Mr. SDG?
SDG: "I work construction, only get home once each month & that's where I'm going."
ST:"I'll be right back" About 5 minutes pass & he comes back. "Mr. SDG, this one's on me tonight. Slow it down." and he hands me back license.
SDG: "Yes sir I will". And I did

 

TRUE ^^ Cops are smart, they turn their radar off until they see a vehicle going what appears to be fast, and then they turn it on. Radar Detector detects radars not cops. Becareful.... I know I used to be in a Military Police batallion