Radar Detector direct wire

08RamMan · #1 01-12-2009, 05:23 PM

2008 model....Is there a fuse box inside the truck? I want to direct wire my radar detector but did not see anything under the dash on the driver's side. I know I should look first, but is it on the passenger's side? I know there is one under the hood. Thanks for helping my lazy a$$.

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dodgeorgethit · #2 01-12-2009, 05:25 PM

I stuck an rca jack on the overhead ,so i can plug it 1n

nim81 · #3 01-12-2009, 05:28 PM

you could wire it up to the cig lighter. i dont think there is an interior fuse box.

hemiguy0302 · #4 01-12-2009, 05:50 PM

In my opinion I would just run your source off the underhood power block. It would be plenty easy to find an ignition on powersource to power the radar detector. Not only that it would be super easy to install and make connections under the hood rather than under the dash. If you mind me asking what brand of detector did you buy?

08RamMan · #5 01-13-2009, 12:20 AM

I have had a BEL for about 8 years, but time to retire that puppy.
I had Escorts for years before that, but didn't want to spend the $$ on them. I went with a Cobra XRS-9840. I found it for about $100 on line. A buddy has a similar model and loves it. I am not a big speeder anymore, but I like to know when Big Brother is watching, you know what I mean?

hemiguy0302 · #6 01-13-2009, 01:04 AM

Yeah cool I just bought dad a escort passport 8500 for his b day and he likes it but for now he just uses the lighter plug Im gonna hard wire it in this summer.

dedogg · #7 01-13-2009, 04:34 AM

how do you hard wire your detector? Is it so you dont have to plug it in every time you get in? I would imagine you still have to have it attached to your windshield right?

irelandshemi · #8 01-13-2009, 05:20 AM

yeah its still attached to your windshield, but it frees up a power source and in my opinion looks alot cleaner becuase theres usually alot less wire hanging around, my friend hardwired his cobra to his cigarette lighter in his mustang he got the kit off ebay

dedogg · #9 01-13-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelandshemi

yeah its still attached to your windshield, but it frees up a power source and in my opinion looks alot cleaner becuase theres usually alot less wire hanging around, my friend hardwired his cobra to his cigarette lighter in his mustang he got the kit off ebay

So there is an actual kit for it? Do you know what it is called and about how much it costs? I would imagine once it is install there is a wire that sits out to plug into the detector right? Thanks for your help.....

L and R Two · #10 01-13-2009, 07:59 AM

If you are going to direct wire, I would just ppiggy back to the aux power plug or the cigarette lighter. This will be the easiest to do instead of running wire under the hood and since the detector is not a high current drawer, you will still have access to the power source you are using.

The one thing you don't want to forget is to get an inline fuse holder for the wiring. Once you cut the cig adapter off the radar detector, you will lose the fuse that is in there. You can pick these up at Radio Shack for a couple of dollars.

The next thing is to make sure that when you cut the wires, that you wire neg to neg and pos to pos. Switching the polarity on the detector may blow it out on a DC circuit. Don't use tape to cover the connections. Tape will come off and possibly cause a short. Use butt connectors or wire nuts.

NOTE: This is a really easy job to do. If anything I said confuses you, get someone to help you that knows about electrical circuits. You will need about $5 in parts and about 30 - 45 minutes to install (unless you don't know how to tear your dash apart)