I notice the preferred way to hardwire a radar detector is to the fuse box. I have seen one install that goes to the wires on the rear view mirror.

My question is: Why are people going to the trouble of running all that wire when you can tap into the rear view quite easily? I was planning on tapping into the rear view power and ground wires and adding an inline fuse.

Any reason why I should go for the fusebox run rather than the rear view?

Thanks.

JB

 

The purpose of the fuses are to protect the WIRING, not the end device. So provided you're not overloading the circuit, there's absolutely nothing wrong with tapping into the rear-view mirror ignition lead. In fact, the rear-view mirror is on a 10 amp circuit.. I don't know how much current the rear-view mirror draws, but I can guarantee that it's nowhere near 10a.. and your radar detector also draws very little.

 

and those of us with the base model don't have the option to tap into the rearview mirror b/c, well, for one, we don't have that type of mirror.

 

All that wire??? It's only like 6 feet of wire and I used the stock wire that comes with it. I didn't even have to buy anything additional. I see nothing wrong with the mirror setup but it really is simple to go down the A pillar and into the fusebox. I simply pulled out the cig. lighter fuse, stuck the hot wire into the slot and replugged the fuse in. The ground goes to any bolt or screw under there that you can get to easily. With this way, you don't need to open up the mirror and slice into anything.

 

Ditto

 

Ths IS an acceptable alternative if you have this mirror.
I originally had my Passport wired to the fusebox, and re-wired it to use the rear-view mirror when the connection at the fuse come loose. Stripping the wire behind the leg of a fuse is not the best way to wire your vehicle.... It can come loose, and too easy to connect to the unfused side of the circuit. Properly done, hooking to the mirror leads is fast, very clean, and safer. Sorry I don't have a pic just showing the wiring.. but the job can be done in a few minutes, and does not require you to open the mirror.

 

That's exactly how I want to run it. Did you go into the plastic casing fo a cleaner install? I was planning on grabbing the wires from the cord going into the mirror.

Thanks...

J

 

The splices are under the plastic cover. I'll try to get a better pic.
I skinned the insulation, soldered the connections, and taped. All hidden under the plastic cover.

 

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it your way. I'm just saying that my way is just as easy (if not easier). You made it sound like it was really hard to do and I just wanted to state that is wasn't. I've had my V-1 wired this way in my 92 Stealth for 11 years and in my Z for about a year and a half and neither has ever come loose or malfunctioned in any way.

Grutter, I like your install. Very clean!

 

Also, I was confused by this pic. Do you just have tint on the front of your side window or is this just strange lighting in your pic? (red arrow)

 

wow that is weird. plz tell me you didnt tint half of your window

 

That IS wierd... and I never noticed it in my own pic! Gotta be the lighting... Trust me... my windows are tinted all the way !

 

I've got the same custom mounting kit installed in my Z too. How does anyone keep the passport from rattling when hitting the bumpies?

 

On the tint confusion..... I bet Grutter had his driver's side door open, and that that is just the edge of the glass. That's what it looks like to me.

 

Ahhh, the mystery is solved! That's so obvious now that you mention it but I just wasn't seeing it before your post. YOU DA MAN BriA5!

 

You have a good eye doc.

 

Where did you get that mirror mount? Is that a custom thing of yours?

 

nm, just found this.... https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....radar+detector

 

Yeah but not good enough to figure out what the heII I was looking at!

 

I cut a piece of electrical tape and placed on the end of mounting bracket to make it a snugger fit into the passport. Just need enough thickness to make a snug fit. Still easily removed if needed, but no more rattles. Should solve the problem for you.