Nice

 

Since you are a "visual" person, check out this thread for my V-1 install :

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=S...=0#entry6959244


I'm working on a new and improved setup with a cleaner bracket and more integrated look with my new 2005 Rio S2000 so stay tuned.........



Rick

 

I'm currently in the process of finializing my Valentine 1 mounting scheme. I wanted a "stealth" look mainly to avoid the attraction of the cops and more importantly when I leave the top down. After much angst and multiple designs, I think I found the perfect location....but involves a lot of work.

Currently I am mounting the V1 in the headliner trim piece where the dome light is located. In order to make everything look stealth I had to do the following:

1) Cut away part of the headliner just above the rear view mirror
2) Remove dome light and hack away half the innards
3) Rewire the dome light
4) Create mounting holes to mount the dome light 180 degrees.
5) Create a shim piece to have dome light "raised" from headliner by 0.5 inch

I still haven't made a shim piece, nor mounted the external display vor the V1, but I'm fairly happy with how the project is going so far! The end result is to have the dome light area looking fairly close to stock...hence unless you look closely you won't notice the radar detector. I'll make a complete pictorial post once I have everything completed....but that won't be for at least another week or two.

 

This sounds VERY interesting.....would love to see pics on how the final product turns out. If you need help don't hesitate to holla!

I'm always impresed with DIY's like yourself since it creates new ways of doing things.


Does your method of mounting the V-1 make it a permanent install? I'm guessing the mods you make to the headliner are also permanent?


Rick

 

Rick,

I'd call it semi-permanent...my original envisionment was to simply yank off the clear plastic dome light portion and slide out the radar detector out. However, that seems less realistic at this point. But, it's still simple enough to yank out by removing the dome light with the 2 screws. I used some metric screws with a torx head on them.

The mod to the headliner is indeed permanent, but easy to retrofit back with a piece of plastic or something else to cover up the hole for the radar detector. I actually cut my hole in the wrong place to start with, and I'll have to do something to fill the extra gap.

Maybe I'll post an initial pic some time later today or tomorrow of what I've got so far if there's enough interest.

Jimmy

 

Here is where I mounted the SRX systems.... FLAWLESS.

 

Rick,

Here are some pics of what I've got so far. It's still a work in progress....but it's getting there. I'm going to remount the car alarm antenna and I still need to fabricate a shim/trim piece for the dome light. But all in all I'm pretty happy with how it's coming so far. Also, as a side note the radar detector blends in quite well when under normal lighting conditions.

Jimmy

 

Jimmy,

I see kinda what you are trying to do right now. The dome light section does drop down a bit but I don't think there is enough clearance by itself unless you cut into it which I think you found out already.

If I was going to tackle this project, I have a few ideas / suggestions:

The only way to get it to look OEM is to remove most of the upper headliner trim and work on it away from the car since you can't exactly flip the car upside down.

I would build a wood/fiberglass replica of the dome light area and extend it down a bit further while integrating my dome lights back into this housing. If you plan ahead, you can basically make it a slot that allows the V-1 to be velcro'd in place. Or you can permanently build it into the headliner.

My other piece of advice is to tint the upper window about 4" down so it hides any visibility of the V-1. Don't worry since most non-metallic tints won't affect the V-1 at all since I have this on all my cars to hide the unit from theft.


Rick

 

Thanks for the input Rick!

I thought about the tint too, is there a particular percentage you'd recommend? I haven't had much experience tinting windows, but I believe it's easy enough to strip off and redo if I don't like the look first go.

As for the wood/fiberglass idea, I haven't had much experience there either....but I've always wanted to try. This might be the perfect starter project! As for now, I'll probably finish the job with a trim piece to cover the gap. Just to get something done...but long term I would like to fabricate a fiberglass version instead.

I'll post pics again once I've finished up this version, and then probably get started on a fiberglass version in the next coming months!

Jimmy