DIY: Custom stealth V1 radar install *pics*

Not the most challanging of installs, but it did have it's complications. It's pretty straight forward, just relocating the functions/switches of the detector.

I'll be short but sweet. Basically, i found the concealed display offered by V1 as just a stupid selling factor. To me, the best place to get a look at your radar dislpay is up by the rear view mirror (where the V1 is traditionally located) or the gauge cluster... to minimize how far you take you eyes of the road. To me, having the radar hidden was the point of the concealed display, not where you look. So I decided to relocate my radar to the back of the car, for a few reasons.

1.) If i decide to leave my windows down when running errands, i don't have to worry about somebody reaching in and swiping my radar detector

2.) If a cop sees my radar detector and pulls me over for speeding, he is less likely to give me just a 'warning'

3.) I don't want my driving view cluttered with more then it needs

So with this, i relocated the detector to the rear of the car. This being said, radar waves travel through most materials (glass, flesh, leather) with the exception of metal. So by mounting my radar detector in the rear window, i have not lost my ability to trace radar waves. Laser is different, but when that goes off it's pretty much too late anyways. Given the pros i stated above, the reduced ability to detect laser from the front has been reduced (however rear laser detection has been increased)


Research on a radar detector forum has tested this location and gave similar results in comparing rear and front mount. This being said, i move on.

first thing... this is a list of the things i did for the install:

1.) Installed detector at the rear window, passanger side center
2.) Hardwire into my accessory power
3.) Relocated the Buzzer/speaker to the front of the car
4.) Relocated the volume control to the front of the car
5.) Hardwired a mute function into my steering wheel buttons
6.) Replaced my OEM rearview mirror with a 2 way mirror
7.) Located the concealed display behind my rear viewmirror
8.) Fabricated a mounting point to the rear passanger headrest
9.) Made a detector cover to further conceal its location



a.) I am replacing my frequency band surface mount LED's with different colors for easier identification. From the factory all the LED's are red. (i.e. Laser = blue led, X-band = green, orange, yellow..etc.)

b.) Fabricating a concealed mount at the rear window making it difficult to tell the radar is in the rear window, even when looking at it. The suction cups on the rear window would be a dead giveaway.

And the install.
Dismantled the guts of my V1 1.8



this is the buzzer/speaker that actually makes the noise, that's located at the front of the car, inside my rearview mirror.



I ran all the wires to above my headliner and down the c-pillar into the trunk. Instead of running several wires, i took a 10' printercable, cut the ends off it then soldered a less cumbersome connection on the end. I didn't want to solder things directly to the V1, because i still wanted it to be removable if i need to take it out for whatever reason.




here's the printer cable i used to run 11 wires from front to back above the headliner, the pin connector already soldered. Like i stated, i did this because it was cleaner then running 11 individual wires and making a mess with connectors etc.



The buzzer/speaker I replaced with a DC plug adapter. By putting the DC plug in I ran a couple wires to the front at the rearview mirror so my sound would be up front, not in back with the detector. Also this allowed me to plug/unplug that wire making the detector still removable.





I also wanted to incorporate the mute function so I tapped into the conealed display mute wire (it's a yellow wire that goes into the phone jack plug). By putting momentary switch ( other leg of the switch is ground(-)) it enables the mute. So i made a momentary switch behind one of my inactive steering wheel buttons. This now mutes my V1 without removing my hands from the wheel.



I forgot to take a picture of the momentary switch, it's pretty sweet though. I ripped apart an old keyboard and fabricated it with that.
The switch was placed here on my the silicon board, beneath the R/T button located on the left hand side of my steering wheel. When i push that button, it closes the circuit to the momentary switch, then muting the v1.



since my OEM mirror dosen't allow any light through it, I had to replace it with a 2-way mirror. For this I went to CarQuest and purchased a generic replacement SIDE-VIEW mirror for a pick-up truck. Sideview mirrors are usually 2 way mirrors to prevent glare. when a light source is placed behind the mirror, it can be seen. In this case...the v1 concealed display.

After obtaining the 2 way mirror, i cut it to the same shape as my original using the OEM glass as a template.

Here's what the display looks like through the glass/mirror. again, the appearance will change when I change the LED's and figure out how to re-work the arrow indicator system. The volume control is also located inside my rearviw mirror, the control knob sticks out the of the mirror housing so i can still adjust the volume if need be.

I then cut and formed a piece of aluminum to mount the V1, using the headrest pegs as a mounting point.



as it sits in the car, it's level and clear of interior objects.




once the mounting piece was formed up I powdercoated it 'wrinkle black' to blend in with my interior a bit more.



Then I made a mold out of wood/foam to make a cover for the v1 to further disguise it from looking like a radar detector




The fit is pretty nice tight. The cover was formed out of Carbon Fiber. I cut the opening then to expose the optical recievers,then covered with vinyl (until i can come across the leather to match) and filled the holes with the factory v1 plastic covers.



Then preassemebled everything and this is the final look.





and that's it.

After driving around for a bit, theres a few things i will change in the future. I plan on remaking the cover for it to look even less like a detector. Plus i may change it's mounting location to the center tie down between the rear headrests, still lifting it 6"-8" off the parcel shelf. I want to do the relocation just for symetry in hiding it a bit more, eventhough technically it will be more exposed.

So there may be a v1 mounting bracket and concealed cover for sale on here soon.

bro you do some amazing work

hmmm original but to much work just for a radar that can simply go right about the mirror on the windshield

Originally Posted by nojoda

hmmm original but to much work just for a radar that can simply go right about the mirror on the windshield

too much work for some...i enjoy it though. When it came down to it, i only paid for the detector and everything else was $0. That's why hobbies are great...it just doesn't matter.

Well... if its your hobbie i understand...

But one of my friends has his v1 inside his freaking mirror... not thats but too much dough... i give you props for your creativity though

Originally Posted by LAFENGAS

too much work for some...i enjoy it though. When it came down to it, i only paid for the detector and everything else was $0. That's why hobbies are great...it just doesn't matter.

SICK SIIICK SIIIICK

awsome dude... I say change the leather to that wrinkle paint into a more solid looking box so that you dont see the leather wrapping buldging like that.

exellent mod

wow thats sweet but i gotta say, right next to rear view mirror by the tinted strip is enough and concealed.

oh mannnnnn

all i have ever wanted was to use those 2 useless steering wheel buttons for my radar detector (one for power, one for mute), and everyone told me it was impossible!

I might be interested in learning that DIY......

great work!

Great Job. Mad skills

Thats freakin insane man. Awesome work.

Great work bro and I love DIY.

Wow man that is one heckuvan install!

thanks everybody. It functions well and i accomplished everything I wanted to.

Originally Posted by NorthJersey 3er

wow thats sweet but i gotta say, right next to rear view mirror by the tinted strip is enough and concealed.

i listed my reasons for relocating it in the initial post:

1.) If i decide to leave my windows down when running errands, i don't have to worry about somebody reaching in and swiping my radar detector

2.) If a cop sees my radar detector and pulls me over for speeding, he is less likely to give me just a 'warning'

3.) I don't want my driving view cluttered with more then it needs

Originally Posted by LAFENGAS

thanks everybody. It functions well and i accomplished everything I wanted to.



i listed my reasons for relocating it in the initial post:

1.) If i decide to leave my windows down when running errands, i don't have to worry about somebody reaching in and swiping my radar detector

2.) If a cop sees my radar detector and pulls me over for speeding, he is less likely to give me just a 'warning'

3.) I don't want my driving view cluttered with more then it needs

couldnt agree more, but Id do it central in the rear, and put it above the third headrest in the middle, after you install the headrest of course..LOL

Originally Posted by otherside

couldnt agree more, but Id do it central in the rear, and put it above the third headrest in the middle, after you install the headrest of course..LOL

i agree as well...

Originally Posted by LAFENGAS

....After driving around for a bit, theres a few things i will change in the future. I plan on remaking the cover for it to look even less like a detector. Plus i may change it's mounting location to the center tie down between the rear headrests, still lifting it 6"-8" off the parcel shelf. I want to do the relocation just for symetry in hiding it a bit more, eventhough technically it will be more exposed.

I want it!

insaneeeee
io really want a v1

good work not to many ppl have the balls to do that

Wow you do some sick DIY work!!!