drizztbob

OK, I DID IT!!! Any of you looking to install a radar dectector in your '05 Mustang, follow along. This took me 3 hours! I know I am stupid. The main tip is to take off ALL THE PLASTIC molding on your passenger side door. This includes the kick floor, and the side panel molding. It's easy, just pull! You will need to take all of this molding off anyway to stuff your excess wiring in.
After you cut the cord on your radar's wire, split it and pull the plastic sheath off both wires using a wire cutter.
The first pic is the fuse box under the kick plate and the 10amp fuse I choose that is "hot" so it will go off and on with my ignition. This is where you will be putting your power wire.
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drizztbob

The second pic is the bolt I chose for my ground wire.

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drizztbob

The third pic, is the side panel molding removed.
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drizztbob

The fourth and fifth pics are the finished product with the wiring tucked under the head boarding.
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drizztbob

Last pic! Any questions???

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dustindu4

shoulda just wired it to the map lights and put a mini on/off switch instead?

The detector can't drain the battery THAT fast.

I'm still confused how you ran the wire down the the box and what the door has to do with it.

mister_e

If it's permanently wired into the car, how are you gonna yank it off your windshield and stuff it under a seat if you do happen to get pulled over? :scratch:

drizztbob

You stuff the wire into the head board, then tuck it in all the way across to your plastic molding by the door. Then feed it to your fuse box under that molding on the passenger side. And it's not that it drains the battery, which it would leaving it on overnight all the time, its having to unplug the thing everytime you leave your car, and looking at a bunch of wires on the dash. Also, I don't think the map light has enough ampage to run a 12v radar detector.
Don't hate.

drizztbob

I have a quick release button on my whistler that pulls off but leaves the suction cups, but if I didn't have that, just unplug it... :bang:

stoic21

Plus there are places where your allowed to have radar detectors

dustindu4

Sure it does. Even if it didn't you could change the fuse out to a higher amperage for that circuit. I hooked a coworker's Passport 8500 to the overhead console on his Mazda 6 and it works great. He lucked out because there was a non-constant 12V line which powered the sunroof. We don't have that so you either put a miniature pushbutton maintained switch or do something like you did.

Looking at what you did seems like a better idea now, but I'd like to find an actual wire to tap into instead of splicing off the fuse like that. The wires for the climate control which is only powered when the car is on would work. Does anybody with a wiring diagram know which wire would be good?

Good job though You've got my wheels turning now. It would be nicer to not have it always be on. I just need to find a better power source.

As far as placement and the cops though, the reason why you put it high like that is so the cops don't see it when they walk up to your car. Again you could put a switch there or unplug the thing so it don't buzz when the cop is at your window.

jwede

Did you make sure you hooked the power lead into the dead side of the fuse? That way if there is a short you are protected by the fuse in the fusebox.

drizztbob

If I remember correctly, right side is dead and thats were I put it...

jwede

If I remember correctly, right side is dead and thats were I put it...
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You can find out for sure with a 12V test light but I think you are right...just to be safe if you took out the inline fuse on the power lead....

Great job on the install!!

38special

My Passport 8500 x50 arrives tomorrow. Wonderfull timing. I bought the direct wire smartcord accessory. As well as a visor clip and earphone. It comes with a smart cord included. My thought would be to wire it up. Keep the smart cord in the case in my trunk. If I am stopped and have to explain, I will say the power source is locked up in my trunk officer. Just waiting to get into MD, NC or WV. Living in VA stinks sometimes.

Has any one mounted these things in any unusual places? I was thinking of putting one inside a gauge consol, that goes on top of the dash or something....

dustindu4

eek I just looked at the owner's manual and the fuse you tapped into is for the "Restraint Control Module, Passenger Occupant detection system, and passenger airbag deactivation indicator". I think I would pick something else? Taking a lot of risk there.

I wonder if the radio always has juice? There must be some kind of power there that only starts when the car is on...

05GT-O.C.D.

Dustin. I used the radio fuse to power my amp for my subwoofer. I tapped in just like drizz did, but again, used the radio fuse. The radio fuse turns on / off with the ignition.
Don't take the plastic off the door, but take the plastic trim pieces off the door frame. That'll give you easy access to the fuse box... it's impossible to work with with the kick panel trim on.
(responding to PM)

38special

What about the time delay radio play with the ignition key out? Would that effect it in any harmful way?

05GT-O.C.D.

I can see no reason at all why it'd hurt it.

drizztbob

eek I just looked at the owner's manual and the fuse you tapped into is for the "Restraint Control Module, Passenger Occupant detection system, and passenger airbag deactivation indicator". I think I would pick something else? Taking a lot of risk there.

I wonder if the radio always has juice? There must be some kind of power there that only starts when the car is on...
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I looked into that. Strangely enough, the spot where the radio fuse, which is the upper right spot 20, when removing the fuse, the radio did not turn off. When trying to use that spot, the detector did not turn. And the deactivation indicator still turns on and off when someone sits in the seat so we are all good.