Ok, so I'm going to take out the electronics in my OHC(which I haven't installed yet) and build my radar detector into it so that the detector itself isnt visible (only the front will be visible because it has to "see" through the windshield), but the LED display shows through the green plastic. I will need a ribbon extension for the display, and a new power cord in which I will put a built in fuse. I plan on wiring it to my ignition so that I don't have to turn it on everytime I get in the truck and it will turn off so that I never kill my bettery again (like this weekend).

Has anyone ever done something like this before? If so, any ideas or helpful hints would be great. and of course, lemme know what you think!

 

never done it, but if the first one works out well for you, I bet you could sell these here and turn a little bit of a proffit. I should get a radar detector but I dont like them crowding the windsheild cost really isn't an issue

 

I use the compass on mine too often to want to do that, but it's a good idea.

I am putting in a detector and I'm going to power it off the consoles 12 volt power so there's a nice short connection to it. I've done this on other peoples trucks as well.

 

the main reason I want to do this is because everytime I go on base I have to take it down. It's annoying taking it down everytime. If I could, I would leave it up 24/7. So if they can't see the radar detector, they can't tell me to take it down. plus, I don't like it hanging off my windshield.

 

It would look good. And be good for detecting radar infront of you, but I think the console would reduce the rear radar detection (if your's even has that, I'm not sure). But that is a good idea, I hope it works out for ya.

 

mine is mounted above the mirror next to the OHC and most people dont even notice it.

my question is will you hear it up there?

 

that is a good idea.......what you should do it take it apart and mount an external speaker in the bottom of the OHC........that way you could hear it chirp...if it works, let me know i would be interested in one if you were to produce them....

 

Most radar dectors(at least the ones worth buying) have compasses. My radar detector is used more for direction than evading tickets.

 

yea... direction from where the cop is. lol

 

I defiantly like the idea especially if it dosent affect the radar detector itself.

 

cool idea

 

where I'm located, they don't use laser at all so the 360 detection aint a big deal for me. my radar dont have 360 radar detection, just 360 laser. and it doesnt have a compass cause i dont really need one. but once i get this done, if anyone wants me to make one, i can do it for a small fee plus shiping and handling.

 

make yours, then show me a pic of it and i would be interested....

 

An ideal detector for this would be the Valentine 1, they have wire remotes mainly for motorcycle riders, but could be used for this.

 

this sounds like a sweet idea.....never would like to do that to mine because i like to know the temp outside...lol....i would like to see this done!

 

good idea, bad in practice, your gunna lose all rear protection and not be able to adjust settings.... best place for your detector in your truck is the dead center of the windsheild or to the left of the mirror...

its the exact opposite, the top 10 have 4 bands and no compass...

 

^^^Those are $300+ units more than likely. With the way I drive, I haven't even gotten $50 in citations in my 8 years of driving. You need to be some speed freak to blow that much loot on a radar detector....or have absolutely nothing better to do with your money. I'm talking $100-$150 units.

 

not a speed freak or nothing better to do with my money, just a hobby....

 

yea i got I2en's for 30 bucks and it has a compass....nice for the work truck...lol

 

Yeah, that one was $100 new....Was it on/Did it go off when you got that ticket the other day??

 

most of the time, I don't need rear detection cause if they're behidn me I notice. and I have a Cobra that was $160 new with 5 band and laser protection. but in my experience, I've only needed to worry about Ka band down here. I have thought about the wireless ones, but I don't want to have to change batteries every month or so. I'd rather run a wire up through my a-pillar through the over head and right to the radar.

so far I've taken everything I don't need out of the OHC. I'm leaving the lamps in and plan on getting colored bulbs for em. I also took my radar detector apart and snapped the display off. then I added a good foot of flat ribbon cable between the detector and the LED display so I can have the display underneath the detector (if you have an OHC you know I would have to do this because the OHC isn't long enough between the greenish clear plastic and the front of it to fit the whole detector in there.)

I will start measuring where I need to cut the OHC tomorrow. I plan on dremeling it so it fits perfectly.

This detector has served me well in in some situations has detected cops using Ka band from up to a mile and a half away. I'm not worried about losing any performance from the radar detector.

Unfortunately I don't have a camera at the moment, but I promise I will post pictures if I have to borrow someone's camera.

For those of you who may want one of these mods, I will make a how to (pending the camera) and if you still are not comfortable doing it yourself, I can do it. Keep in mind you will need to send me the OHC, the detector you wish to have built into it, and the power cord from it. Since I will be cutting the OHC, there is no going back.

 

I rarely change any of my settings. I leave it in highway and always have the volume up (however I plan on having the volume **** sticking out the side).

I've had my detector in multiple locations in my truck, most of which were along the bottom of the windshield. but I'm again not worried about that. Here's why: when cops use radar, they aim for the grille of your truck. of course not all of those frequency waves hit the grille, some are deflected up to your windshield (in which case your radar detector goes off), some are deflected around your truck, and some hit non reflective surfaces and just "die". The rest is reflected back to the cops radar gun, tellig him how fast you are going (the difference in the wavelength that is returned is what determines this). No matter where your detector is placed, if your truck is being gunned, it will pick it up as long as it has a clear view (or line of sight as we say in the military) to the target (cop). It will work wherever you put it in the windshield.

And as far as sound goes, I think I'll be able to hear it through 1/8' thick plastic. I always have it as loud as I can anyway.

 

Ok, so I think it's about time I updated. I got the hole in the OHC cut out. I'm also gonna use the holes from the "lamp" and "mode" switches for other switches seeing as I took out all the circuitry that uses those switches. one of the switches will be for the lamps, but one will prolly be for the detector, and the other I haven't decided. (maybe a CB when I get one). I'm waiting on a paycheck and birthday money to buy lots of paint for the headliner (might as well do it while it's out) and the OHC and I have to repaint my A Pillars. I plan on running all the wiring for everything down the passenger side A-Pillar. My switched 12V outlets are in my glove box, so that's the best route for me. I don't have a camera so I'm sorry for not having any pics.

 

You should put a scanner in that joker.

Brenton

 

I was plannin on gettin a scanner when I get the CB. Me and my roomate like to go out cruising and dragging all the time so we plan on gettin CB's and at least one scanner. I'm tryin to find a CB scanner combo all in one, but I can't seem to find one.