Cadillac CTS-V - Hard wire radar detector install

I tried searching for this bf I posted, but apologize in advance if it's already been done...I noticed the power outlet in the V1s is in a bad place if you have a Passport detector, so I was wondering the best way to hard wire my detector. I thought sure somebody has already done this, and hope that I can from them so I don't break anything.

Here is a link:

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/v1install.html

Meh. I just grabbed a couple of needle probes and tapped into the Onstar (center mirror) power/data connector. It pops right out of the back of the mirror. It's a 15 minute job or less once you strip down your power connector and solder or crimp the probes.

Thanks for the replys. Going to look at the link. Taping into the wires for the onstar in the mirror would have never entered my mind. I was thinking I would have to take the dash apart to find a fuse box and to be able to hide the wires cleanly.

With a long needle probes, you don't even need to splice. You can just jam them into the back of the +12V and ground pin locations and be done with it.

I hard wired mine by tapping into the rear of the cigar lighter and running the wire up through the dash, looks pro and works great. I'll snap a pic.

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/837e7bfd.jpg

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/c3ebc66e.jpg

Interesting choice of fabric there. What is that? Do you have a wide angle shot?

It's Foam back suede for headliners. Same stuff I did my headliner and pillars in from www.yourautotrim.com

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/934e63cf.jpg

Headliner

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/2718e059.jpg

Also have it on the pillar below my gauges

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/255aff17.jpg



http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/934e63cf.jpg

Holy smokes. Did you do your sun visors and paint your sunroof control panel?

Yeah painted all plastic black including rear light panel, seatbelt guides, sunroof panel & knob & vanity mirrors. Also wrapped the visors. I tried dying the vinyl black on them first but that looked like shit so I ripped the vinyl off and wrapped them instead. When you take the vinyl off the visors are a two side plastic piece which comes apart easy, made wrapping them a walk in the park, just wrap each side then sandwhich them back together, they look factory.

I'd love to see a couple more pictures of that setup. The worst part about suede is that it's hard to keep it looking nice if people are inclined to touch it.

Did you modify the door panels? What kind of paint (acrylic, enamel, aerosol, brush, etc) worked on the plastic? I assume you're happy with the results, but if not, that'd be interesting to hear about.

Thrilled with the results, I'll do a thread tonight showing the process have some in progress shots.

Also did my entire trunk

http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/276632d8.jpg

You know, it's a shame we didn't have a "mod weekend" meetup where everyone brings a pile of parts and we all go to town on each other's CTS-Vs.

Ever consider trying something like this?

http://i.imgur.com/XxcRy.jpg?2

etcts-v, all that looks really good. The trunk and visors look pro all the way. I've got a Passport 8500, and I want to mount it under the mirror, kind of high, so using those wires up there will work perfect for me. Fuzzylog1c, if you went with aftermarket seats, what would you do about seat belts? I hate my tan seats and carpet, and would love black, but I'm sure black CTS-V seats are going to be expensive. With that being said, if I was going to spend some money on some seats I would love to have some Recaros or Sparcos, but I don't want to do any permanent mods to the car that would make it hard to put it back stock.

"I don't want to do any permanent mods to the car that would make it hard to put it back stock."

That is like trying to un-paint a canvas if you own a V. :cheers:

I know anything can be put back stock with enough time and money, I'd like to stay with direct bolt on stuff. I know my canvas has a lot of paint on it already. Since the seat belts are made in the seats, I see no easy way around that. I would rather not drill any holes, or weld any brackets in the floor or anything. However, I am smart enough to know that I don't know everything, and like the radar detector install, I'm sure some has already addressed the issue and knows weather or not it can be done.

That is like trying to un-paint a canvas if you own a V. :cheers:

Haha, sooo true!

I love my Bel STiR+ detector. I tapped the heater controls. I had planned to run some of the controls/display around the shifter, then decided against it.

Here is the display/controls:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-amgdw-HAWrg/TzVVA4QuMrI/AAAAAAAABH4/dGwhKsnA3WQ/s800/P1000001.JPG