Radar detector hard wire project

[JonMN]

Would it be feasible to hardwire it to one of the aux switch wires in the passenger floor board? Would that work?

Neat idea! I'm new to this, but I do know that there is a bundle under the hood of 4 positive wires for these switches. Looks like it's next to the fuse box, so I think I will move my wire from the fuse tap to an aux. Not sure if you can just get a positive from the switch in the cab, but, in my case, I ran the wire already so I will just stick with connecting under the hood.

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[iosigma]

You should have the same bundle of wires in the passenger floor well. I was just trying to avoid punching through the firewall

 

[b-roc]

Fyi - with a factory installed aux switch system, there are 6 wires in the passenger footwell: aux1-4 plus batt and ignition (these are in addition to the 4 next to the battery)

 

[JonMN]

Fyi - with a factory installed aux switch system, there are 6 wires in the passenger footwell: aux1-4 plus batt and ignition (these are in addition to the 4 next to the battery)

Man, I really need to check here before searching Youtube! The videos I found were under the hood connections to the Aux. Seems I took the long way around!

 

[JonMN]

Aux-4 thanks you all. Just changed from Fuse-tap to Aux 4. Clean and no wires show!

 

[HazMatFool]

I didn't think a Gladiator could go fast enough to need a radar detector

Haha!! You funny

 

[ourjeeps]

JTs and JLs (and CJs, YJs, TJs, and JKs, as well as the Cherokee and the Grands) properly equipped, are great off roaders - but have all have aero characteristics of a brick when conducting high speed pavement OPS. We now drive more conservatively - mostly to avoid aggravating the challenged fuel consumption of these capable rides.

Others mentioned use of radar detectors - to avoid small-town speed traps, and for general highway "Situational Awareness" (SA in military lingo). We favor radar detectors for those same reasons --- rather than high velocity trips --- if you have a "need for speed" in your life, get a jet or a motorcycle, (and of course be somewhat careful).

--> OK sharing a couple of tech tips/considerations for present-day JT/JL radar installs re. tapping into existing wires with minimal invasiveness, and compactly mounting detectors in cluttered windshield areas.

1) Power Source and Means --- If you have a newer option-heavy Jeep or other vehicle, you likely have connectors/wire looms in the center upper windshield mirror module/ceiling area, that a 20-24AWG micro t-tap can be use to pull a 12vDC low amp +/- power source from.

Be SURE to test the tap/wires for voltage/continuity with a volt meter BEFORE commencing full reassembly, connection projects are not 100% assured. We use a pink striped 12vDC+ wire and black negative 12vDC- (rear view mirror wiring loom) to power the detector in a '24 JTRX. Options vary for other years and models. A needle-nose plyer will help closing the tap clamps effectively, especially in cramped assess areas. If you have the four Aux Power Switch Cluster option, you can alternately run power wires up from either the glovebox area or engine compartment area (depends upon model, year).

A note --- we've had less/diminishing success in recent years with the "mirror tap" push-in pin-type fused taps, as vehicle connectors sizes and tolerances have gotten smaller/tighter, esp. some w/water resistant connectors used in lower /external areas, in JTs/JLs. The water resistant connectors have internal rubber modules the wires are routed through, and the tap pins slide in easily but then back-out losing their connections.

The T-taps bite into the wire insulation and hold the wire/connection preventing any reversal. We still used the pin-tap product harness, but had to snip off the push-in pins to allow use of the wire ends (no need to strip) w/the micro T-tap.

2) Radar Mount --- Small "permanent" metal radar mount w/3M VHB (Very High Bond) tape can be very flexible WRT placement and avoiding visual blockage, when GPSs, dash cams, and detectors, (and ...whatever else) all competing for windshield/ dashboard real estate. Our JTRX has a VHB mounted detector bracket directly to the windshield glass directly below the rearview mirror console housing. Note - If you frequently experience broken windshields (many jeepers do) a "permanent" VHB mount would have to be removed, and new VHB tape re-applied. to re-mount the bracket/detector.

Note: most permanent metal VHB mounted brackets are mgf and model specific so BE SURE to procure one that is dimensionally/physically compatible with your detector mgf. and model.

• Additionally, Re. VHB tape if you live in an area with extreme summer heat, as a backup, you may want to consider/opt for one of the clamping hardware type mounts compatible with your mirror system and your detector, some mentioned in this thread, and/or in other forum threads.
• Note that we have had NO issues with a properly mounted VHB radar bracket in moderate/high temperature areas.
• Be sure to clean the glass mounting areas thoroughly with 90% alcohol, and let the mounted bracket sit a day/overnight w/o device weight on it, to facilitate maximum VHT to glass bonding strength.
• 3M specifies the ideal application range for most VHBs is 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (21-38 degrees Celsius) and the minimum application temp 50 degrees Fahrenheit (15 oC).
• These steps are usually mentioned in the VHB product instructions, but may not be included with the specific mount product, and even if so, the instructions are rarely read, or followed, resulting in bond weakness/ failures.

Some related considerations re using multiple accessory systems - Preferences from past aviation days, favor multiple, non-integrated, sub-systems for reliability, redundancy, and partial mission capability (PMC) considerations, rather than a lose-it-all-at-once scenario via an (e.g.) all-in-one integrated 12 inch master display.

Another discussion, for another time, are personal privacy/info/cyber considerations re. vehicle integrated systems and modems (that you didn't ask for...) linked smart phones, and wireless links/fobs. Example link of many here: "Car and Driver - "Your 'Connected Car May be transmitting Your Driving Date to Insurance Companies"

--> Below parts can be sourced from online retailers including eBay, Amazon, or a local, well-stocked electronics/ vehicle accessory store.

 

[ourjeeps]

Germane to the topic of Radar Detectors... Came across this today... the general stereotype/assumption is all folks installing/ using radar detectors are "speed demons" No so in this survey by Cedar Electronics - owner of Escort and Cobra brands... "

• Most drivers identify as “smoother operators” on the road: Meaning they’re calm, collected, and prefer to maintain a steady pace, use signals, yield properly, and prioritize safety above all else. On the other end of the spectrum, 15% identified as “speed demons,” meaning they’re all about pushing the limits on the road."

Link is here
"As Americans Hit the Road This Summer, New Data from ESCORT Sheds Light on Speeding Tickets, Insurance Premiums and More"

 

[JonMN]

OP here . . . Still a little embarrassed about taking the long way around for wiring, but really happy with the mount and location. Years ago I mounted high near the mirror. I'm tall, so it cut into my vision a little. It's also in a very annoying location to mute. Finally started mounting on the dash. In this case, the detector is about 5 1/2" below where it would be with a mirror location. No loss of visibility at all. Perfect location to mute, but it's in such a good location for visibility that I run at close to zero volume anyway. By the way the 2nd gen Valentine has amazing range.

Not a speeder by nature, especially in the Jeep. I tend to go with the flow (which is by definition about 5-10 over the limit) But I can miss a sign or two as speed goes from 55 to 45 in small town MN . . .

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