Radar Detector Install

Please enjoy:

I just wanted to give a good look at what an Escort Passport 9500ix with the mirror install kit looks like in my 2013 Tundra.

Im a simple guy, that likes easy instruction and thought if there is anyone out there that isn't so good with DIY's, this one you might just be able to do.

I was tired of the suction cups on my windshield and the cord draped over my radio.:


I'm sure you could make a bracket for a lot less than you would pay for this one, but i liked the clean look of this one that I bought directly through Escort.

Here is the kit. A little pricey, but the materials, especially the bracket, are top quality:


Bracket:


Comes with everything you need:


First I took off the plastic wire covers. They easily pop off. This one wont fit after the installation and will not go back on:


These will go back on:



Wire covers popped off, Slide the harness off its hook and disconnect male from female:




In the 2013 at least, on the receiving harness, your ignition wire/power is the black wire and the ground is the brown wire. You will see on the male end of the assembly, the baby blue wire is the power (leading to the black on the female part of the harness) and the ground wire is white with a black stripe (leading to the brown wire on the female part of the harness).The best part about this is that you don't need to splice into your factory wires. On the harness (the one on the mirror side, receiving end) you will take the power and ground wire and push them into the correct slot. Don't force it, there is four corners to each wire hole. One of those will let the wire slide in for a nice tight fit. And remember, you will place the power wire in the black wire slot and the ground in the brown wire slot. (Black and brown wires are on the bottom right of the picture):


This is just a view of the male end of the assembly. You will see on the male end of the assembly, the baby blue wire is the power (leading to the black on the female part of the harness) and the ground wire is white with a black stripe (leading to the brown wire on the female part of the harness):


Wires in the slots:


I used a little electrical tape, nice and tight, so the wires wouldn't pull out. Here is a tip, when you wrap them up, twist the harness sideways like its actually going to be, then wrap the tape around it. If you dont, when you go to plug it in and start bending the harness in place, your wires may pull out:



You might want to make sure it works before you get everything put back up:


Next, put the wire harness back on its hook and place the two plastic covers back over the wires. Then loosely attach the bracket and center is up:




I clipped my detector on to make sure it was where i wanted it, then I tightened down the screws on the bracket:


Make sure its nice and strait from the outside:


Just use a zip tie to snug the wires down to keep it clean:




You may have to move it around a bit to make sure its strait, but you should end up with something that looks professional. I think these trucks are so nice and everything I do to mine, I want it to look like it belongs:






You don't have to buy the kit to have a nice mount. I wanted the quality of the mount I got, but it was a little pricey. Like I said earlier, you could just buy the wiring and make a mount.

Hopefully this was useful. Thanks!

 

Looks good. I had almost the exact setup on the Impala SS I had a few years ago.

I sold my radar detector when I had the lift and everything on my Tacoma because I found myself driving a lot slower. Kinda wish I had it still now.

 

Nice!!

 

Even though I no longer own one, personally I still think they're a great tool if you know to use them. If you're someone who likes to blatantly speed, you're likely going to get a ticket regardless eventually. But if you're the type of driver who drives "safely" over the speed limit (in my mind perhaps 15 over in a highway situation) than can be a good tool. I can honestly say that mine saves me from numerous tickets and paid for itself in the time I had it. The main issue with "new technologies" is instant on radar and more importantly laser. Detectors are equipped to pick these up, but if your radar indicates a laser hit, odds are the police already have your speed. It really, IMO, depends where you drive. I always had mine for frequent summer drivers to Delaware where police constantly drive around with basic radar on. Saved me numerous times there. In my home state of PA it was useless since only troopers can use radar and I rarely drive on roads where state police setup traps.

 

Yeah what you guys say is right on. Let me first say, I didn't get it so I could barrel down the road and be a menace to society. I drive an hour to work each day and an hour back, regularly drive long distances to family and like road trips. As much as I respect the law and police, I don't appreciate speed traps and the roving tax collection. It suck when you aren't paying attention or you are just going with the flow of traffic and you get hit with a 250 dollar ticket. This would happen to me about twice a year up until two years ago when I got this. even if I'm going 5 over and it starts picking up, I slow is down and it's a great reminder even if an office isn't even near me. This thing works beautifully. It has saved me countless times. That being said, it's not an excuse to act like an idiot and it is legal to own one. I figure if the local government wants to monitor my driving, I have the right to know where they are monitoring me. I've had the guy next to me zapped with laser and I've slowed down and no problem. But in general I use this as a tool to remind me to slow up. I've got a busy life and just need the help. It doesn't replace paying attention and keeping a look out, but it helps. I had a state trooper creep up on me at night once... WITH ALL HIS LIGHTS OFF!!! On an unlit road and when he was 15 feet behind me he flipped his radar and his headlights on at once... really?!? How dangerous and shady. But I was only going 5 miles over. No ticket.

 

Guess who got hit with laser and received a ticket today... First one in about 2-3 years. I was entering the on ramp for the hwy and didn't even think about it. There is a cop in a blue unmarked car that gets everybody. If they want that money, they will find a way to get it! I was only going 60 and it was on the on ramp. Sucks!

 

I think 65, but I was ticketed for the speed before the onramp. It was 40. I didn't realize it but he says I was already at 60 when I hit the ramp. Hard for me to believe, but I was on my way to take my final written test in tig welding and was in a hurry.

 

I might try... His electronic ticket machine he held had a camera. Took pictures of my truck, me and radar detector. Yep. That's how they do it here. Always filming or taking pictures. Pretty disturbing if you ask me.

 

Either way I would lawyer up. Lawyers here will go to court with you or for you for $50. Unless its something really major then it costs more.

 

i'm going to have to agree/disagree on an old thread lol.
first i do agree that if you are hit with laser radar you're pretty much done but as far as my uses go i'm not using the detector to assist when being hit directly. for the most part there is traffic on the highways that i would use my detector on and provided that the highway patrol hits anyone in front of me my detector still goes off giving me time to slow down.

 

About 15 or so years ago, I was blasting down I-10 across west TX (trying to get the hell out!). When I came over a slight rise I spotted a DPS cruiser on the shoulder that had a semi pulled over. By the time I saw them it was too late for me to slow down. There were two troopers and they had apparently just stopped because they were both out of the car and walking toward the truck.

They had definitely left their radar on because as I approached, they both stopped in their tracks and turned back to look at their cruiser (audible alarm no doubt). When they saw me they began hot-footing it back toward their car. I passed the truck then just pulled over and waited for them to come and write me up for 91 in a 75. Semi driver's lucky day--for me, not so much.

For whatever reason, I hadn't bothered to put my detector in that car after I bought it. Slick Mustang with Cali plates at the time, so I was pretty much begging to be pulled over. Since I didn't have the detector then I can't say for sure whether or not it would've saved my ass, but it certainly would have at least given me a chance. Being from out of state, I had to follow them to the next town and buy a money order made out to the local J.O.P. for the full amount of the fine before I could go on my way. Revenue generation at its finest.

 

Yes, state troopers sneak up on you and pop you! I rarely if ever am over the speed limit anymore since I have a cdl. Not to mention a wife and kid that depend on me.

 

Nice clean installation.

Aren't there some states where radar detectors are illegal? (I know years ago this was the case, but I am not sure now) If that's the case, a quick disconnect would be helpful.

 

being i'm a Canadian i can only speak for here and yes some provinces do have laws against drivers using radar detectors. while a disconnect seems like a good idea some of these places also have radar detector detectors! they can tell if you're using one and should you get pulled over by a ghost car with one onboard and they find you to have a radar detector the ticket is seriously stiff!

 

Thanks!
I think there are a couple, but not any that I'll be visiting.

 

How's the mount holding up? Any annoying sagging or rattling?

I am looking to mount my escort... Thanks!

 

Looking at this guy on Amazon

 

Delayed hahaha