Basically i want to conceal the 2 power cords for my GPS and radar that come down the center console and plug unto the cigarette lighter leaving a big bundle of wires in that little cubby down there. I want to hide 100% of the wires.

This is what it looks like now: (notice the big mess in the cubby)



i think we can all agree that it will look 78436 times nicer with NO wires showing.

as most of you probably know this is what your console looks like naked:



what i was gonna do is splice a 12v dc outlet back there connected to the wire the original one is connected to. then... THIS IS FOR THE GPS CORD ONLY... since the gps is mounted right on the air vent i was going to feed the wire through the vent and then down to where all the wires are by the shifter.

heres some pics that show where i would drill a hole inside the vents




i guess my question is: IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? i don't wanna screw up the AC or the heating in my car... i doubt that it would but also i don't want the wire melting or something like that when the heat is on. i don't want to drill new holes in the dash so i figure why not use holes that are already there.... for the radar i know there is a small vent in that area i'm guessing for defrosting the windshield so i would probably do the same type thing over there. i haven't bothered checking that out yet because it seems like a pain in the ___ to take the full dash off. figured id start out simpler and see if it was even a good idea or not... thank you if you have any imput

 

You can just tuck the radar wire into the gap between the dash and windshield if you can't get the defroster panel off easy. Drilling small holes in those places isn't going to hurt anything. As long as your wiring is done properly, your plan should work fine. You can always plug those holes easily later. It's just plastic after all

 

aight thanks man sweet ride btw

 

Thanks! I spend too much money on this silly Toyota but hey, it's a "Toy"ota so I'm allowed lol. BTW, using that cigarette lighter for power works like a charm and it's really easy to get to

 

You could hardwire both the detector and the GPS and send them around the rear view mirror. I really like my setup even though I dont have a GPS.
I made my own Blendmount, saved $80. Here it is when I tested it to make sure it worked.
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/818/0520001050.jpg
Here it is with something to help conceal it.
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/492/0531001743.jpg
And here is the only exposed wire.
http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/949/0607001232.jpg

Im sure you could do that with your detector. My dad keeps his GPS next to his rear view mirror on his Tundra, but has a chord hanging from it. If i had one, I would hardwire it so it sits above/to the side of my rear view. It will be a little more difficult to hardwire that. But you will have a cleaner ride!

 

that's actually a pretty good idea... i like where my gps is currently but once i get a legit radar that is definitely something to consider. hmm maybe ill just do it with this one

and what do u guys think.... for the gps would it make sense to add an internal dc outlet back behind the console or should i just cut off that part of the power cord and splice it in?

EDIT: i found out just cutting off that part of the power supply probably wouldn't be a great idea because it contains a circuit that lowers the voltage and keeps the gps from frying.... so ill definitely use a socket

 

the one thing about my radar however is that it is where it is because i need it directly in front of me or else i wont notice it going off because my music is cranked lol

also does it make a huge difference if the radar is at the top of your windshield or towards the bottom. i personally dont think it would as long as it isnt blocked by the wipers or something... any thoughs?

 

Mounting it is pretty important. If it is low on the windshield it wont see the road as far as it could when it is up higher. Its the same concept as how tall people can see farther than short people. So it has better sensitivity when it is higher. I also put mine in the middle so it can see out the rear window and detect threats out the back better. When I had my Audi, I could put it above the rear view mirror without anything that blocks out the sun in the way. This time I had to put it lower, but it still works fine. Some higher end detectors even have a remote display, which is a little box you can put anywhere and it will act as the only display. Your detector will/could be blacked out so your remote display can be concealed. If you are good, you can mount it behind the steering wheel and between the speedometer and have it there in your viewing path. Look up the valentine 1 remote display. I'm sure you don't want to spend much money just like me but look on craigslist for a kick ___ deal on a high end radar detector...its what I did. Otherwise, just go in through the de fogger and tuck the wire in somewhere. Tap into the cigarette lighter.

Also for the GPS, if your chord will fit in the vents send the power chord through that and tap power from the other end of your cigarette lighter. that would be the cleanest thing I can think of for placing the unit there. And you will have two open cigarette lighters.

You can also make things a little easier for you if you take apart the white splitter and use that to tap into the other end of the lighter. All your ends will remain the same, you will just have a hacked splitter and concealed wires. But when you do get a legit detector, dont skimp on the mounting location!