This is my install of a Valentine V1 hardwired to the fuse box. Currenlty I have the V1 mounted to the front glass under the passenger's side visor and the remote display in the corner of my dash under my inspection sticker. I had searched and searched for DIY's for hardwiring V1's, and while there is plenty of information, I couldn't find many pictures. So I'll put up some that I took with my install. This was VERY easy and required NO SPLICING OR CUTTING of factory wires. The ONLY wire I cut was the hardwire adapter from Valentine. And even that would be easily fixable if I wanted to go back to the original. This should take you no more than an hour and there are no special tools required. The only additional item you need is the mini fuse adapter. The v1 hardwire adapter should come with the V1.


You first need to buy the fuse piggyback adapter from Pep Boys.



Cut the red power wire from Valentine and use the supplied crimper to attach it to the wire from the pep boys attachment.



Next you have to get to the fuse box by removing the foot plate along the drivers side door jam, and also the kick panel that covers the fuse box. They simply just pull off save for one plastic nut that secures the fuse box right above the foot pad. I removed my foot pad as well.





Next you have to insert the mini fuse plug adapter into a "switched" spot on the fuse box. I tried some of the empty ones and they didn't seem to work. So I just removed the one for the "power socket" and it works fine. I inserted a 5 amp fuse in slot B on the mini fuse adapter and the 15 amp fuse in slot A. The 15 amp fuse is still for the power socket and the 5 is for the V1. I really didn't know which one to use, so I figured the smaller the safer. Plus the V1 adapter has an inline fuse anyways. You also have to ground the V1 adapter and I used the lower screw that was attaching the fuse box to the frame. There are plenty of screws to use as a ground. Just look around.

So here is what the setup looks like.



Next I removed the pillar cover by the drivers side. It just pops off. I grabbed the part next to the front windshield and started kind of rolling it towards me. I was then able to get a grip and pull it off. I had already ran the rj11 cable, supplied by valentine, across the headliner and then I just ran it down the pillar and fished it down the hole to the fusebox. I had to use a coathanger to fish it through, and it was quite easy. I also ran another rj11 cable back up to the remote display. Of course if you are going to use a remote display elsewhere, say the ins cluster, or the ashtray then you don't need to run the other wire.





I had decided to mount my remote display in the corner by my inspection sticker since I didn't like the way it looked sitting in front of my speedo and tach. This might not be permanent, but I'll give it a shot. Here is what the fuse box should look like afterwards. I just used a zip tie to tie all the wires together and tucked them under the kick panel.



Picture of the remote display. I figured it is right in my line of sight while I"m watching the road. Granted it will be a little harder to hit the mute button, but I don't like the idea of having to look down, like the ashtray, to see the indicator lights. But we'll see how it works here.



And lastly, by baby. Just put the 05 rims on my Twilight Blue 04. Love the way they look.



PM with any questions. Hope this helps.

 

Now this is a perfect DIY, just what I needed. Thanks someone should stick this in the DIY

 

I just installed my V1 using these instructions... it's not difficult at all. If you're going to hardwire your V1 into your car, I highly recommend doing this. One piece of advice though, if you're going to purchase fuse adaptor, make sure it's a MINI adaptor. I know it's mentioned in the DIY, but my local Pep Boys only stocked the regular adaptor (which I purchased not realizing it wasn't the correct size) and I ended up having to purchase the mini adaptor online.

JC Whitney $9.99 - 495784 MINI TAPA CIRCUIT

 

where did you actually put the radar detector?

I have a passport x50 that i have mounted up high so if i ever got pulled over, i could flip the visor down to hide it. that method came in handy as i got lasered once and flipped the sun visor down.

 

I mouted it high on the windshield next to the rear view mirror on the passenger's side. Then I mounted the remote display in the corner of the dash. So I guess I could flip the visor down to hide it although I don't think a cop could see it anyways unless he got inside the car.

 

I just did this DIY today, and I'm very happy with the results. Just remember to take out the footjam to get to the plastic screw. Anyways - just wanted to say thanks to the original poster.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

glad you found this link. these things are pretty hard to find!

 

Cool Thanks