It looks great! The install looks pretty clean from here and it's nice and tucked in!
Escort 9500i Hardwire Pics
Well I finally found the time to hardwire my radar detector. I've had the hardwire kit for about 2 weeks now and with the long day on the road today to go see an ALMS race with my son (3 hour drive to and from), I stayed up late last night to get it done.
First off, the location where Lexus placed the fuse box is absolutely retarded...why they didn't place it on the left side of the drivers side foot well is beyond me! Dipping my head in there under the steering well and then looking upside-down/backwards to see things clearly was a task in itself! The fuses are not standard size (I think they're called micro or mini fuses?). Took me forever just to get the 15A fuse out (used a small flathead screwdriver carefully to wiggle it out).
Originally, I was hoping to install the remote mute button in one of the blanks located to the left of the steering wheel/above the fuel door button, but the opening was too small to fit the switch. All in all, I am VERY happy with the results. I didn't think I would find an ideal location for the switch to mount it using velcro, but I have to say, this location shows the wires the least (without any drilling needed) and is pretty much right at your fingertips! Routing the wire from the detector to the fuse box area below the steering wheel was a piece of cake! Just need to use a plastic joint compound knife/tool to get the wire tucked away along the bottom of the windshield.
Here are the pics, let me know what you think!
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First off, the location where Lexus placed the fuse box is absolutely retarded...why they didn't place it on the left side of the drivers side foot well is beyond me! Dipping my head in there under the steering well and then looking upside-down/backwards to see things clearly was a task in itself! The fuses are not standard size (I think they're called micro or mini fuses?). Took me forever just to get the 15A fuse out (used a small flathead screwdriver carefully to wiggle it out).
Originally, I was hoping to install the remote mute button in one of the blanks located to the left of the steering wheel/above the fuel door button, but the opening was too small to fit the switch. All in all, I am VERY happy with the results. I didn't think I would find an ideal location for the switch to mount it using velcro, but I have to say, this location shows the wires the least (without any drilling needed) and is pretty much right at your fingertips! Routing the wire from the detector to the fuse box area below the steering wheel was a piece of cake! Just need to use a plastic joint compound knife/tool to get the wire tucked away along the bottom of the windshield.
Here are the pics, let me know what you think!
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Thanks Matt! I'm pretty anal about things like this and took my time, making sure it was set up properly; hence it took me just over 1 hour to do! 
Thanks! For the wire running from the radar, I installed the detector at the desired location on the windshield, then plugged it in & made sure I had a little bit of play/slack in the line. I read on another forum that using a plastic puddy knife was a good tool to have for an install like this. I used a 5" wide plastic puddy knife and forced the wire gradually down along the edge of the windshield. It's amazing how deep it goes down there (that's what she said)!
I used that method to get it all the way over to the A-pillar. Then at the A-pillar, I was able to squeeze the wire between the pillar and the dash. The pillar is a little bit flexible, so I pushed the pillar in (towards the outside of the car) and was able to fit the wire in the crack & is not the least bit visible. Once you run it to the door molding, that was a piece of cake to get it down to the footwell area. For the remote mute button, you can fit the wiring between the tilt steering wheel and the plastic trim (just stick you finger in the gap & widen it a bit to fit everything thru).
They are legal in the US, with the exception of Virginia. If I were to ever get pulled over, even though they are legal, I would take it down. I'd be embarrased if he pulled me over, saw it and said "gee, that thing did you a lot of good, didn't it"?
... and Washington D.C.
If you get pulled over, leave the radar detector alone. The cop that pulled you over is watching you from the time that he turns his lights on til the time that he gets to your car. You don't want him seeing you try to hide something (even if it is only a radar detector). It will put him on edge. You don't want that.If I were to ever get pulled over, even though they are legal, I would take it down. I'd be embarrased if he pulled me over, saw it and said "gee, that thing did you a lot of good, didn't it"?
If you get pulled over, open your window, turn your interior lights on (if it's night time) and put your hands on the steering wheel. When the cop gets to your window, be polite (Yes, sir. No, sir. etc...). If he asks you to give him something, tell him where it is before you start reaching for it (Insurance card? Yes sir, that's in my glove box). You'd be surprised at how much better you are treated by a cop who has pulled you over when you go out of your way to make him more comfortable when he approaches your vehicle.
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