Installing the remote for the Escort 8500 in the ash tray on an 6MT 2004 coupe and need to know how the gear shift boot ring comes off of the large curved housing. The housing was an easy pop up but I see some tabs for the ring but they are very rigid and are not popping up. I will run the wires through a hole drilled in the clean out cig tray, then wizzor a slot in the back housing so the wires will rotate freely when the cig door is opened. Clear epoxy is holding the remote and mini rocker in place.

Finished the tray but still waiting for some help on the banana seat housing removal. I colored the ash tray light lens red for night vision. No Smoking Allowed. I used wooden wedges to hold the units in place until the until the 5 minute epoxy sets.

Ok, got it apart. Disconnect the four way flasher plug & the cig tray light plugs. Tilt the housing into a position so you can remove the 6-8 brass screws from the boot ring. The banana then separates from the shift lever boot and ring. Now I'm off to the bench with my dremel...

 

Dremel the plastic housing to allow the wires to exit out the rear. Run the wires to the drivers pillar. I didn't pull the pillar trim off, just tucked it in, was easy. Pulled power off the cig lighter fuse since it is key on switched. Cut aluminum flat stock and bent for a windshield mount. Used 3M double-sided tape squares for strong adhesion. The wire supplied with the 8500 X50 remote option is just long enough, only 3"-4" to spare. The ash tray operates as normal, locks closed & pops open about 80%. Slight pressure on the lip opens fully but not really necessary. The red colored light now glows red when the lights are on and not offensive while driving. I did have to darken the green "on" light on the remote because it is too bright. I don't know if a Valentine remote will fit in the ash tray.

 

very nice

 

Has anyone done this with the Valentine-1? Is it possible?

 

yup, i've done it with a V1 display in my 5AT ashtray

 

does it fit perfectly? and is drilling / cutting required?
Btw I'm pretty new to the states and radar detectors, this might be a dumb question but, the V-1 main unit has to be installed high up for effectiveness and its the concealed unit thats in the ashtray right?

Does the main unit 'light up' if the concealed unit is used.

and that huge red button isn't a part of the v-1 is it?