Just hardwired a radar detector so thought I would share some pictures

first buy a rj11 radar detector hardwire kit. I bought this one on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5u6niYY

I have a Uniden r3

next, use a interior pry tool on the dome light assembly starting from the part closest to you. Pull down. It’s just held on by pressure clips.

next, draw power / stick into the red and white wire all the way to the left and ground on the black wire all the way to the right. You want to very carefully stick in the metal prongs into the receptacle of the wires. It should fit nice and snug. Dont force it. It should feel kind of like a fuse going into place but with 1/4 of the pressure.

This is ignition powered so it automatically turns on and off when you turn on off the ignition

I use small zip ties to make sure the wires don’t move

push the dome light assembly back in place

Done!

one thing to note, the dome light assembly is grounded to the chassis, so it has to be put back into place before power will be sent to the radar detector. So if you are testing, make sure to put it back into its spot before doing so

 

Given where I live and where I drive, I may or may not know anything, nor have experience with this.

And if I knew anything about this, I would want it switched so that it can be turned off… at least in those locations where it is illegal to have one and they are actively looked for.

And that might be an excellent location for such a device.

 

I used to use such devices, a Valentine One at the time. I was stopped for a roadside chat by a State Trooper who thankfully turned out to be someone I had worked with at a tire manufacturing plant. He noted that normally, the presence of a radar detector on a speeding stop, would result in a ticket. Since we were on the subject, I asked why my detector had not alerted me at all. He told me he was testing a new type of radar. I decided then and there, I couldn't afford an arms race with the government. Haven't run one since and have had only one ticket. Out in the country, out of sight. Detector would have just been advance notice to pull over. I use waze when I'm traveling. Does a good job. Around town, I'm naked. Just a chance I take.

 

Waze is a good substitute for a radar detector, especially in areas populated by other Wazers. I'm planning on using this scheme (power source for dash-cam) once the weather moderates here in New York.
On that note, I can't recommend enough getting a dash-cam, especially in these litigious times - would've saved me a fortune in legal costs during a recent donneybrook.

 

I’ve noticed something strange after the install, the power wire is actually tied to the lights. So if you have the headlights off, then it won’t send power to the wire. I am unable to find a wire that is purely connected to the ignition. So now I am just using the light switch on the stalk as an on off switch.

 

I agree with @Tracee on the dashcam! Almost a requirement these days. I just use a cigarette lighter plug-in type power splitter. Has 3 outlets, USB ports and displays voltage. Not elegant, but if I'm traveling, the car's already cluttered. It's nice to hard wire things like detectors, but its hard to find a switched wire to use in modern cars with all their voltage and current monitoring. Can't just find a random switched wire under the dash like an old Chevy or Ford. I think they call it progress?

 

Or…. just enable another fused circuit in the front fuse box…. run that hot wire up inside the a-pillar cover.

 

I hardwired my radar detector to the rain sensor which is behind the mirror. The black cover is easy to prior open (start at the bottom closet to the windscreen). The rain sensor connector is a 3 wire connector. On my car ground was black, and the switched live was green and white wire. The wires you need are the 2 wires at the opposite ends of the connector.