1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

My Radar Detector Install

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Old Aug 2, 2006 | 08:52 PM
  #1  
blown7's Avatar
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From: abbotsford
My Radar Detector Install

Well i had a Escort Passport SR1 radar detector laying around and finally had the time to install it on sunday. This radar detects front and rear so I'm pretty safe now. The install took me about 4.5 hours, but i wanted to make sure you dont really see it. The rear radar bar mounts to a licence plate and i ran the cable on the inside of the car with the factory harness to the back side of the dash. The front radar box is about 3.5x5". Narrow side out, but i had to remove the grille insert to mount it. Your not to have any metal infront of the pick up so as you can see i had to notch the insert out for the detector. The whole system has cables the run to a main connection box behind the dash. The box then sends the information to the head unit that shows displays how strong and what type of signal it is picking up. The head unit i mounted under our stereo headunit flush with the surface. This will make entering the states with the car easy since all i have to do is put a piece of electrical tape over the section showing in the dash. Now for the pictures. I'm going to take a few more of the headunit but later or tomorrow.

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The Rear



The Front



The Headunit


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Old Aug 2, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #2  
notveryhappyjack's Avatar
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thats a pretty trick install, I give my approval
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Old Aug 2, 2006 | 11:00 PM
  #3  
BigJim's Avatar
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From: Lake, Michigan
thats badass, i just hang a cobra detector in my windshield.
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Old Aug 2, 2006 | 11:59 PM
  #4  
inuissus_cendi's Avatar
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From: Minneapolis, MN
thats pretty sick. I want to get something like that (probably an SR7 with "shifters") but its so damn expensive. Sweet install though.
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Old Aug 3, 2006 | 11:04 AM
  #5  
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From: Maryland
ahh... clean installs almost bring tears to my eyes. Looks good man.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
darthrotary's Avatar
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From: Savannah to Atlanta to Williamsburg
i am forever jinxed by wierd **** flying at my car and dont know about an outside mount. so i do the windshield hangin one, seem protected enough, but one hella nice install though.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 09:04 AM
  #7  
kleinke's Avatar
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From: Yumpenoffenhoff
It looks nice. With no offense, your Antennae are rather close to the ground. Ideally, the Antennae should be located as high as possible, for best performance. Perhaps the rear could be disguised on the exterior Roofline or at the topmost of the Hatchglass, interior. The 3.5x5" size of the Frontbox is more difficult; but might fit with modification to the Headliner, adjacent to the Mirror, or above the Sunvisor.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 11:49 AM
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From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
I'd give up a little bit of radar detecting performance to gain the ability to let the cop search the car and not be able to prove I have one

I was thinking of doing the same kind of install, but instead of a visible headunit, I would hook the audible to my shift buzzer (or another piezo buzzer), and switch it under the dash. That way I could hear it, but I could also shut off the audible signal for when the cop is standing beside my car going "do you have a radar detector? You know they're illegal right?"

Either that, or mount the headunit behind tinted plexi under the radio, so that when it's powered off all you see is black plexi, but when it's on the light shines through so you can read it. And then the headunit would be on a switch under the dash. Same idea, cop comes up, switch has been thrown, he can't see it so it doesn't exist


Jon
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 11:51 AM
  #9  
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From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
On the rare chance he finds the switch and asks about it

"You found a switch? What does it do? I never noticed it, must have come with the car when I bought it"

Jon
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 01:19 PM
  #10  
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From: Seattle, Washington
this might be a dumb question but are radar detectors illegal ? I ahve never heard of this before and where I live almost all my friends and everycar has one.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 01:29 PM
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Roundabout's Avatar
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From: Duluth, MN
In the US they are legal in all states except for Virginia, Washington D.C. and on military bases. In Canada they are legal only in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
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Old Aug 4, 2006 | 01:29 PM
  #12  
John64's Avatar
What?
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From: CT
Not illegal in CT!
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