Simple Portable GPS or Radar Detector Install Tutorial

[KGNickl]

Ok, so here is a quick way to install a portal GPS unit into your car w/ out needing to cut or tap into any factory wires and no need to buy a hard wire GPS cable (use your original cable). You can also do the same thing for a radar detector. It also takes very little time and looks clean! This does not cover the full install (because I thought about adding this after I already did it), but you should get the idea.

NEEDED:=======

GPS unit or radar detector12v DC Socket with clamps (or any other 12v socket that has a + and negative wire)Tapa-Circuit Mini Fuse adaptorElectrical Tape, solder, soldering ironWire stripping and crimping toolSomething to remove an 8mm boltRing Terminal10-15 minutes of your time

STEPS=====

Step 1: Cut the end but connector off the Tapa-Circuit and strip the wire coating off (so you have bare wire) and cut the clamps off the 12v DC Socket with clamps and strip the wire. Twist, solder, and tape the + wire of the Tapa-Circuit to the + wire of the DC Socket with clamps. You could also use crimp connectors if you wish, i just like to solder and tape.

Step 2: Crimp the ring terminal onto the - wire of the 12v DC socket

Step 3: Install (2) 15 amp fuses into the Tapa-Circuit

Step 4: Mount GPS unit or radar detector on the dash where you want it and run the GPS wire down the side of the dash and under the dash where the fuse panel area is. You should only have to remove a side panel that pops out w/ little to no effort. Inside the fuse cover you may also want to remove (1) screw to give you a little bit more wiggle room to get the wires around, but that is optional.

Step 5: Remove factory FR PWR Socket fuse (15a) and replace it with the Tapa-Circuit. You can also attach the ground wire now. Make sure the wire length for everything is good and routed nicely.

Step 6: Plug the GPS DC cable into the 12v DC Socket thing. After I did this I used electrical tape and zip ties to bundle everything up and make sure it was all nice and neat and held together. Then I tucked it under the dash and used 2-3 zip ties to secure it.

Step 7: Done.

[mcheddadi]

AH yes, you want custom title, you have it ! nice tut!

[adidas2go]

AH yes, you want custom title, you have it ! nice tut!

I think you should consult Tyler or Brian before telling people things like this buddy.

Nice write up though

[BlackNWhite]

Wow, this is nice, I just might do it.

However, having it there permenantly would interfere with my sunshade and I also wouldn't want to tempt anyone to break my window for my damn GPS.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Looks pretty damn good to me!

Shoot me an email and I'll take care of a custom title for you if your interested

[LeGeND42o]

I picked up a GPS the other day, and hated not being able to use the GPS and Radar without a gaggle of wires everywhere.....but you just made my day, thanks bud!

[quick_shift]

Wow, this is nice, I just might do it.

However, having it there permenantly would interfere with my sunshade and I also wouldn't want to tempt anyone to break my window for my damn GPS.

the only thing that is permanently there is the wire...you can still take the suction cup down

i like it, i'm probably going to do this at some point

[KGNickl]

You are correct about the sunshade getting in the way if you use one. But the GPS units pops out and you could throw it in your dash or take it with you, the sunshade should be the only complaint. You could remove the suction mount, but that is a pain to do each time you get in and out. I leave the suction mount and throw my GPS in the glove box when I'm at appts. or bad areas. When I'm in nice areas I'm usually lazy and just leave it mounted to the dash.

[BlackNWhite]

Can you post some links of where you got all the materials you used? Would they all be available at Kragen?

[KGNickl]

Can you post some links of where you got all the materials you used? Would they all be available at Kragen?

I bought the stuff at Advance Auto Parts. I'm sure the same stuff is available at Autozone, PepBoys, NAPA, O'Reilys, etc..... I'll do a google search for it and see what I can come up with and post it up later when I have more time.
Modified by KGNickl at 9:48 AM 8/25/2008

[BlackNWhite]

I bought the stuff at Advance Auto Parts. I'm sure the same stuff is available at Autozone or O'Reilys.

There are no Advance Auto Parts in California.

And anytime someone has said they got their parts from Autozone/Kragen... the ones around here never have it. x 2

[KGNickl]

I paid much less than the prices below. I think the 12v socket was clearance for $2 and the fuse thing was $5-7. I would stop by a few local parts stores and look around for them. Many store employees have no clue what they are, so if you ask and they say they don't have them, look around before you leave. They are usually located around the fuses, headlights, and/or relays.

Fuse Thing http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...1-585h ... m/....html

12v DC Socket Single: http://www.batteryweb.com/schu...C-103Dual: http://www.batteryweb.com/schu...C-101

Pictures of items at Advance Auto Parts
Modified by KGNickl at 10:46 AM 9/1/2008

[mcheddadi]

I think you should consult Tyler or Brian before telling people things like this buddy.

I don't need to consult anyone because I'm fly like that

[Scandinavian Flick]

kgnickl- good write up, and also your avatar is sweet

[adidas2go]

I don't need to consult anyone because I'm fly like that

Right on buddy, fu*k the system, you do your own thing

[alticoupe3.5]

i have my radar located right in the middle of my windshield about a half inch raised above the dash...there is a little crevis going along the right side of the dash....i just fit my radar wire into the crevis and it fit perfectly! nice and snug so it wont fall out or move around when im drivin. i then stuck the wire under the plastic moldings so the wire is not visible.

[lok1gt]

This tutorial may be perfect for me, but rather old. Can someone involved re-upload the photos?

[jahn surf irie]

bump, curious for photos as well

[Major153]

Anyone still interested in doing this little mod?