DIY Tutorial for Hardwiring a Dashcam and Radar Detector

[generaltso]

I literally went to autozone with a clip and visually compared them to the supply in the store.

I don’t suppose you have a part number or took a pic of what you bought?

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[MachDoc]

Sorry, no.

 

[generaltso]

Sorry, no.

Bummer. I brought one of the clips to the auto parts stores near me, but couldn't find anything similar. If anyone finds a part# or link to something that would work, I'd appreciate it.

 

[sgriffin130]

I had a Thinkware U1000 2 channel dash cam with the radar module and battery pack installed yesterday. Seems to be working fine except that my attempts to connect my iPhone to the dash cam are spotty. I was in my garage and got inconsistent results. Moved out and it was better. Moved bak in and then out again and could not connect. Any Advice?
Also, is it correct that the only setting that will enable the radar module is in energy saving mode even with a battery pack?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[ItsFootballTim]

I had a Thinkware U1000 2 channel dash cam with the radar module and battery pack installed yesterday. Seems to be working fine except that my attempts to connect my iPhone to the dash cam are spotty. I was in my garage and got inconsistent results. Moved out and it was better. Moved bak in and then out again and could not connect. Any Advice?
Also, is it correct that the only setting that will enable the radar module is in energy saving mode even with a battery pack?
Thanks for any advice.

Do you have Apple CarPlay? That seems to have higher priority and will drop your Thinkware connection. That’s what happens to me.

 

[tobin1920]

Great write up on this. was very useful in wiring mines. Ended up putting in on the plastic cover and made a small notch for the cable.

How have you found GPS reception to be for your camera in that spot? I'd love to put mine there and avoid using the precious limited "black dot" (non-IRR) space.

 

[krazieboy]

How have you found GPS reception to be for your camera in that spot? I'd love to put mine there and avoid using the precious limited "black dot" (non-IRR) space.

The GPS works fine there i think. I never actually pulled up a map, but it does speak and tell me it's has gps

I had to use some adhesion promotor to get the tape to stick there.

 

[Woeo]

The only real tricky part was running the rear camera cable through the rubber grommet because it's very tight in there but I managed. The trick is to lubricate the wire and your fish tape (I just used a length of weed whacker string) when pulling.

Take note in @MachTee ‘s photo of the plastic inserts at either end of the rubber grommet between the cabin and the rear hatch. The inserts snap into place and hold the rubber grommet ends tight against the car. Do not pull the grommet free of the white plastic inserts. They are a bear to reseat. The plastic pieces release from the their position with push tabs on four sides. Lift each grommet end slightly to expose the push tabs. Two or three tabs should allow the insert to be worked free.

 

[tobin1920]

For those who have used hardwire kits for radar detectors that include a remote mute button (like the Escort one) - where have you stuck the button and routed the wiring? Looking for some inspiration... currently thinking that having the button stuck on the under side of the leathery trim below the Start button would be ideal, but might have to experiment to make sure the cables can be hidden well enough (and are long enough).

 

[DevSecOps]

I don’t suppose you have a part number or took a pic of what you bought?

I got these and they worked fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X3B4M42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you would rather not spend $7 let me know in a DM and I'll send you some in an envelope. I have a whole bag.

 

[generaltso]

I got these and they worked fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X3B4M42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you would rather not spend $7 let me know in a DM and I'll send you some in an envelope. I have a whole bag.

Thanks Todd! Those do look like they would work perfectly. Unfortunately, my Amazon searching skills failed me, so I ended up ordering some from Ford for twice the price. Oh well.

One thing that's weird is that 4 of the clips on that mirror surround are plastic and 1 is metal. I can't for the life of me figure out why they didn't just use 5 of the same clip as they seem to be the same size and shape.

 

[tobin1920]

I was looking at that today and thought perhaps on the left side of the center console down there the seat cushion is. Double sided tape, reach down with your right hand to press the Mute button. This might not be an ideal location if you have multiple drivers since the seat moving forward and back might knock it off.

I think this spot would be great if I can find a way to get the wires behind the dash without drilling. It even almost goes with the lines of the trim. There's not as much surface area for the 3M VHB as I'd like, but enough that I think it'll adhere to the back of the screen just fine. This is the Escort Direct Wire SmartCord btw.

 

[DevSecOps]

For those who have used hardwire kits for radar detectors that include a remote mute button (like the Escort one) - where have you stuck the button and routed the wiring? Looking for some inspiration... currently thinking that having the button stuck on the under side of the leathery trim below the Start button would be ideal, but might have to experiment to make sure the cables can be hidden well enough (and are long enough).

I just enable auto-mute which I know doesn't completely mute, but my music is normally loud enough so that it doesn't bother me much. If I'm on the phone however it's a pain in the ass especially since I have mine mounted at the headliner, close to the microphone. I have a little plastic "stick" that I created and keep in the center console which I used to hit the mute button when those cases happen. I also use it for WiFi updates which is like every 3 days. when you have to push the "yes" button.

 

[DorothyMacaw]

For those who have used hardwire kits for radar detectors that include a remote mute button (like the Escort one) - where have you stuck the button and routed the wiring? Looking for some inspiration... currently thinking that having the button stuck on the under side of the leathery trim below the Start button would be ideal, but might have to experiment to make sure the cables can be hidden well enough (and are long enough).

I was looking at that today and thought perhaps on the left side of the center console down there the seat cushion is. Double sided tape, reach down with your right hand to press the Mute button. This might not be an ideal location if you have multiple drivers since the seat moving forward and back might knock it off.

 

[tobin1920]

I was looking at that today and thought perhaps on the left side of the center console down there the seat cushion is. Double sided tape, reach down with your right hand to press the Mute button. This might not be an ideal location if you have multiple drivers since the seat moving forward and back might knock it off.

I just came in from installing the button in the location I mentioned above. The little panel that holds the sensor for (I think) the interior motion detector for the alarm, directly below and behind the screen, pops off very easily - 2 clips - just be careful, this wire and assembly seems pretty brittle.

I was able to run the cable up behind the center of it and there is plenty of flex so I didn't have to drill any holes.

The shape of the Escort button blends well here, but unfortunately I scratched it up a little bit when trying to fish it in from the glove box side to the middle. I also cut my finger and didn't realize it until I pulled my hand out - if you attempt this, it's MUCH easier and safer to use something like a coat hanger + tape to feed both wires one at a time from the middle to the glove box area (so left to right). Really happy with the results - all that's left is to take the A pillar trim off to run the power wire up to the headliner and to the detector. I have the iVolt battery for my dashcam in my glove box, so I just tapped into the switched power from that (Micro3 tap on 15/16).