Hard Wiring a Radar Detector

[BenThere]

14 hours ago, Sotally Tober said:

Escort doesn't make the mount or wire tap.  Blendmount has everything you need for a clean install:  https://www.blendmount.com/mirrortap.html

Thanks for the information.  Did you use the taps directly into the factory plugs/connectors behind the cover?  the reason I'm asking is because, looking at the harness behind the cover on my truck, the connectors are much smaller than the old style connector on the back of the mirror.  The .040" taps are small enough to do the trick?  Sure would make a nice, easy, clean install, just what I'm looking for.  

[Sotally Tober]

On 5/5/2019 at 10:31 AM, BenThere said:

Thanks for the information.  Did you use the taps directly into the factory plugs/connectors behind the cover?  the reason I'm asking is because, looking at the harness behind the cover on my truck, the connectors are much smaller than the old style connector on the back of the mirror.  The .040" taps are small enough to do the trick?  Sure would make a nice, easy, clean install, just what I'm looking for.  

I had it professionally installed so I wont be much help on this...

[BenThere]

34 minutes ago, Sotally Tober said:

I had it professionally installed so I wont be much help on this...

No worries.  I appreciate your sharing on the install.  Gives me some good options.  Thanks!

[TheElementalCashew]

On 5/2/2019 at 8:27 PM, BenThere said:

Anybody out there come up with a slick way to hard wire a permanent power supply for a radar detector on your 2019 Silverado?  

 

I found this:

https://www.gen5diy.com/products/14-18-silverado-radar-detector-harness

 

Anybody try this?  Seems like it might work, but there's not nearly as much space in the RV mirror cover/molding as there is in earlier models, including the one in the video at the link.  

 

Open to any other good ideas......

This is probably the one you want, depending on your detector. https://www.gen5diy.com/collections/14-18-silverado-p-p-harnesses/products/2019-chevrolet-silverado-radar-detector-harness

 

I bought the GMC version, but ended up installing using a normal wiretap in my AT4 as it was easier than I thought. 

[BenThere]

43 minutes ago, TheElementalCashew said:

This is probably the one you want, depending on your detector. https://www.gen5diy.com/collections/14-18-silverado-p-p-harnesses/products/2019-chevrolet-silverado-radar-detector-harness

 

I bought the GMC version, but ended up installing using a normal wiretap in my AT4 as it was easier than I thought. 

Yeah, that looks like the way I want to go.  I ordered one, I'll keep y'all posted on how it works out.  

[BenThere]

On 5/6/2019 at 10:38 AM, BenThere said:

Yeah, that looks like the way I want to go.  I ordered one, I'll keep y'all posted on how it works out.  

OK, I got it.  I ordered one with an extra 2-wire tap for a future device like a dash cam or something.  

https://www.gen5diy.com/collections/14-18-silverado-p-p-harnesses/products/2019-chevrolet-silverado-radar-detector-harness

 

Pics below, comments in order of the pics:

 

• Looks like this with the cover.  The cover comes off easily, just carefully pry the top of the center cover piece (I used a plastic tool just like the one used in the Gen5DIY video at the link (Harbor Freight)).   The outer cover comes off easily after the center piece is removed.   
• Here's what it looks like under the cover.......
• Disconnected (easy)....
• The new harness connected.....
• Now I gotta cram it all back into the tiny space under the cover.  I had to work at it, there's some slack in the stock wiring above the connector, I had to move the added connection above the existing stock connector.
• Got it all stuffed in, including the future 12V leads.....
• Done.  The RD comes on when the motor's running, and goes off when the 6.2L is shut down.  Works as advertised!  I'm satisfied.  Easy install, a bit spendy, bit it works and it ain't hard to install at all.  

 

 

Edited May 10, 2019 by BenThere

[TheElementalCashew]

OK, I got it.  I ordered one with an extra 2-wire tap for a future device like a dash cam or something.  
https://www.gen5diy.com/collections/14-18-silverado-p-p-harnesses/products/2019-chevrolet-silverado-radar-detector-harness
 
Pics below, comments in order of the pics:
 
Looks like this with the cover.  The cover comes off easilly, just carefully pyt the top of the center cover piece (I used a plastic tool just like the one used in the Gen5DIY video at the link (Harbor Freight)).   The outer cover comes off easilly after the center piece is removed.   
 
Here's what it looks like under the cover.......
 
Disconnected (easy)....
 
The new harness connected.....
 
Now I gotta cram it all back into the tiny space under the cover.  I had to work at it, there's some slack in the stock wiring above the connector, I had to move the added connection above the existing stock connector.
 
Got it all stuffed in, including the future 12V leads.....
 
Done.  The RD comes on when the motor's running, and goes off when the 6.2L is shut down.  Works as advertised!  I'm satisfied.  Easy install, a bit spendy, bit it works and it ain't hard to install at all.  
 
 
 
 

Looks good! Now you just need a Blendmount. [emoji16]

[BenThere]

13 hours ago, TheElementalCashew said:

 

Looks good! Now you just need a Blendmount.

 

Yeah, I need to something different than the sloppy suction cup mount I have now. I have to keep "fixing" it.  My problem with the Blendmount is I don't like how it hangs low and blocks some vision (I know, it's minimal) ahead to the right.  I prefer to have the detector up out of the way at the same level as the RVM.  

[Boner Fortuna]

Exactly my plan, thanks for the link and pics, really neat job....

[fsuboy75]

I am removing my overhead console and attaching a copilot map light to it.  Its really a perfect spot.   

 

I have the basic model, just onstar, and the dome lights.  Is there a power wire in this space i can splice into wire the map light to and then body ground the wire to?   Can I just splice into one of the LED dome light wires?

Edited September 20, 2020 by fsuboy75

[greco2003]

On 5/4/2019 at 8:46 AM, MadCaddie said:

 

They are still extremely popular and as long as you buy a high end one and not a cheap placebo, they do their job well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a few threads on this in the forums, and if you need help installing, send me a PM.  I used the Mirror tap kit, as I've ran one for a long time and it's from a reputable company. 

 

 

Unless you really want to use the Smart cord (or similar) I see no reason to run a long cord and then mount a switch and tap the fuse box.  

 

I was interested in the gen5diy kit, and someone on here ended up using one, but I've heard of a lot of failures from some of their harnesses, so it scared me off a little. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a gen5 harness fail in my Colorado for the led brake lights. They told me it was the resistors despite me having changed them out prior to calling them and basically had me try a bunch of stuff knowing my warranty at that point was up in about a week. After all that failed wanted me to buy another harness. The harness for the front turn signals I never had a problem with it,