phillikl

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So, I bought me one of those fansy hidden radar devices, its looks like a keeper.... So anyways, I break the puppie out of the box to find I have 5 modules, a control unit, display unit and (3) that are mounted outside the car. 1) to rear license plate bracette, the other two in the front..... Now for the questions

1) Whats the easiest way to route to cabling for the rear, through the trunk lid, or would it just be easier to go under the spare tire housing?
2) Whats the easiest hole through the firewall to get too?
3) Does the arm-rest have a switched 12V power hidden somewhere to tap off of (haven't ripped it apart yet)....

As always, thanks for the help!!!

Kendall

etyu

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Easty did something very similar with his laser shifter array. He should be able to help. If you have the time, do a search in this forum.

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Eddy

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bloflin

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I put mine in (same model) and took pics afterward, and now realize I never did a write up.

Anyway short version.

Mounted the actual radar recieving unit (the black box) right behind the big Star. Undid two bolts at the top of the frame around the radiator (after opening hood). Gave me enough room to pull the bumper forward enough to drop the unit onto the level flat metal behind the star. Then drill a couple of pilot holes in the metal and screwed it down.

For the rear laser jammer mount on the license plate (of course). Do realize that will now make opening the trunk a pinkie (littlest finger) exercise or use the remote key fob.

The two front laser jammers I mounted each on the same plastic "grill" that surrounds the fog lamps (one on the right on on the left). I have the SLK55, but assume an SLK350/280/200 would be similar.

I wanted to minimize any cuts or holes so I could take it out later and move to another car.

For the front ones I just removed that plastic grill around the fog lamps (uses a couple of torx screws). The I just screwed the holder on using some of the existing "holes" that are in the grill. I had to expand one hole just a slight bit to get the cable end thru.

To get thru the firewall (which is VERY tight with so much stuff, like a V8!) I noticed that the under hood fuse box (the one on the right side standing in front of the car and looking under the hood, back near the hood support arm) when opened had PLENTY of room to drop cables into the interior). So I drilled a hole in the top of that fuse box. The top removes completely, and if I have to I could get a replacment top (if I ever remove the radar unit). Then after routing all three cables thru the top and into the car, I replaced the fuse holder top and then epoxied around the cables to seal the around the hole I drilled.

Inside the car, I installed the display/control panel unit in the PigeonHole drawer I replaced the (IMHO useless) cupholders. The drawer is what is standard on the European models. This allows me to hide it completely (with drawer shut). I tapped power off of the Cigarette Lighter. BTW ther is a LOT of room behind the ashtray and COMAND to store all excess cable.

I installed the speaker (part of the optional kit) over in the driver side kickpanel.

On the drawer where the Control panel is, I drilled a hole right in the middle just above the silver trim piece and installed the LED (part of the optional kit). So when power is on to the unit it is green, then blinks bright red during a detection. So even with the drawer closed I get a visual as well as audio.

For the wiring from the back, that was probably the trickyest part. I did have to drill one hole thru the metal on the horizontal surface near the hand latch. I used the rubber plug that came with the kit to plug that hole (and then did some additional sealent around it). I then routed the cable thru the truck hood along side the other cables already there. I did take the plastic interior piece off of the trunk to see better. Then took the cable out with the other cable and routed (using cable ties to secure) it along with the other cables using that "complex" plastic cable management they have (so that the cables work with the trunk opening both ways). To get into the cabin I pulled off the plastic piece covering the hole where the Sat Radio would be installed. Inside the car I moved the seat forward, took off the screws holding the rear wall carpet near the floor and side and pulled it out of the way. Behind the carpet there are pieces of sound foam filling the spaces. I pulled those out (note-ing the placement and order of each). The uses a piece of "weedeater" string (you could use anything that is stiff, like end of fishing pole, or electrician' "fishing tape") to push into the hole and then taped the cable to the end and pulled it thru. I routed the cable under the door sill (it pops up and off), and then behind the kick panel.

I went slow as I was "exploring" how best to do it, and end up with almost no permanent changes. And did it over a number of evenings after work and then one Saturday. If I had to do it a second time, I estimate it would take me about 2 hours.

If I were to remove the unit and sell the car, I would put the cupholder assembly back in the car, pull all the cables out, but leave the rubber plug near the license plate (you can't see it, unless you kneel down and the look up with a flashlight. On the fuse holder cover I would price getting a replacement, or just use black expoxy to cover the small hole.

With the PigeonHole drawer shut, it is very stealthy and no one, even sitting in the car can tell I have a Rader Unit. I leave it shut as I don't need to see the display. The red LED and the alarm and voice coming thru the speaker is enough.

Oh, almost forgot, mounted the remote Vol/Mute button on the console right near the ignition key.

I'll attach some pics.

Pic 1: Front Laser
Pic 2 Rear Laser
Pic 3: Drawer shut, green Power on LED
Pic 4: Drawer shut, ALERT Red LED
Pic 5: Drawer Half open to view more detail on the display

Attached Images

	Front Laser.jpg (95.9 KB, 166 views)
	Rear Laser.jpg (110.5 KB, 162 views)
	Green LED.jpg (55.8 KB, 159 views)
	Red LED.jpg (75.3 KB, 159 views)
	Door Half Open.jpg (78.3 KB, 162 views)

bloflin

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Pic 6: "Stealth" mode (i.e. no one can tell you have a Rader/Laser Jammer
Pic 7: Actual Radar unit behind the Star
Pic 8: Cables going into hole drilled in top of Fuse Holder
Pic 9: Hard to see, but the rubber plug with cable in hole drilled
Pic 10: Drawer Full Open and Mute Volume button

I didn't take pics of the remote speaker (in driver kick panel).

Attached Images

	Stealth Mode.jpg (84.9 KB, 162 views)
	Radar Unit.jpg (88.6 KB, 160 views)
	Fuse Holder Top.jpg (96.3 KB, 158 views)
	Rear Cable Hole.jpg (96.6 KB, 154 views)
	Door Full Open.jpg (78.7 KB, 154 views)

FPF422

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if only Belgian police and politicians weren't so anal about it...

etyu

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Very nice write up bloflin. Thank you very much for that.

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Eddy

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easty

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Great Write up Blofin

my pics if They are any help

Not Sure where the thread is with the images













is a Post

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etyu

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Link to easty's install: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...-stealthy.html

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Eddy

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Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

phillikl

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Super Great write-up..... I am taking this project sloooowww. I ended up running my front cables through the fenders, and up under the door seals. The cabling hid quite nicely and you can't even tell that its there. Still exploring for the trunk, but have a great idea now. Thanks a million. As for that useless cup holder... did you get kit for that or did you end up fabricating something on your own?

Thanks again,

kendall

mtiede

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That arrangement isn't going to let water follow the wiring past the door seals into the car, is it? Just a thought in case you haven't considered it already.

SLKman

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WOW! Great responses!

Gotta love this place!

This is my next project.

Can you let me know the model radar you bought and where from?

I was leaning toward the Vanlentine 1????

Thanks,
SLKman

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etyu

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I believe bloflin replaced the cupholder with the tray/sunglass holder and then modified the cover slightly to fit the warning LED. The part no. for the tray/sunglass holder is A 171 680 0052 9116 (9116 refers to the black/dark charcoal color to match the interior).

It's easy to remove the cupholder. After opening the cupholder, use a pair of tweezers to pull out the rubber grommets on each side and then remove the underrlying screws.

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Eddy

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Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, (
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Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

bloflin

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etyu, exactly right, I ordered the part (called "pigeonhole shelf" in the MB prints) from the parts department at my dealer, only took 2 days, which seems weird, since I thought it was a Euro only kind of part.

My detecter/jammer is Beltronics, but same as Escort version (escort bought beltronics awhile back). Slightly different colors on the display. I got a better price on the Bel version, and it included the optional kit, which had the remote speaker, the remote LED, and some other bits