The owner of this amazing 2021 Ram 1500 TRX recently visited Audio Designs and Custom Graphics in Jacksonville to ask about a radar detector system. The TRX is Ram’s answer to the Ford Raptor. With a 702-horsepower 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine, the truck will launch from a standstill to 60 miles an hour in just 4.5 seconds. The truck is equally capable off-road with bead-lock wheels, Bilstein external reservoir shocks and about a foot of ground clearance and suspension travel. With this much power and capability on tap, the owner wanted as much warning as possible if the police were around. After inspecting the vehicle and discussing where we could mount the components of a custom-installed radar detector, we provided the client with a detailed quote to deliver the protection he wanted. He gave us the thumbs-up to schedule an appointment to begin the upgrade.
Ram 1500 TRX Radar Detector Solution
Integrating a custom-installed radar detector and laser defense system into a pickup truck is more complicated than on a car or SUV. The metal bumpers dramatically reduce our mounting options for the system’s components. With that said, the Audio Designs installation team was up to the challenge.
We based this project around an Escort MAX Ci 360 radar detector and laser defense system. Our technicians started their task by mounting the dual-antenna, DSP-based, forward-facing radar receiver behind the front grille. This position is relatively high above the ground and offers excellent long-range sensitivity. The MAX Ci 360 includes Escort’s In-Vehicle Technology (IVT) filter to prevent false alarms from adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning systems. The system also includes a GPS receiver that can be used to mark the locations of speed traps or false alarms to keep the system quiet until it’s needed.
Three ShifterMax laser transceivers are mounted in the lower grille that’s integrated into the front bumper. As always, our team took the time to ensure that each sensor was aimed directly forward to deliver the best performance possible. With a vehicle of this size, the extra coverage provided by the third laser transceiver is crucial to prevent police from measuring the vehicle’s speed.
The rear of the truck was a little trickier. With a steel bumper and a folding tailgate to deal with, space for the rear radar receiver and laser shifter was at a premium. Our team fabricated a small mounting bracket to place the laser shifter on the underside of the bumper, just to the left of the tow hitch. The radar receiver is tucked neatly behind the plastic trim piece to the right of the driver’s side exhaust tip. Radar signals pass through plastics with almost no loss of sensitivity, so it’s easy to conceal them.
Radar Detector Control Panel and Display
Inside the truck, we kept the installation of the control panel and display for the Escort system simple. These components are mounted to the right of the steering column, just beside the engine start button. The client can easily reach the control panel to turn off the laser shifter once he’s confirmed how fast the truck is traveling.
We mounted the alert LED for the Escort system just to the left and below the instrument cluster so the driver will have an extra level of warning if the system detects a police radar or lidar gun.
Northern Florida’s Radar Detector Experts
We had this Escort radar detector installed on this Ram 1500 TRX in under a day, thanks to our amazing technicians. When the client returned to the shop, we provided him with a detailed explanation of how the system works. More importantly, we explained how to use the laser shifter system so that he won’t attract unwanted attention when the system prevents a lidar gun from measuring the truck’s speed.
The client was absolutely thrilled with the solution we provided and excited to get the truck on the road. If you’re shopping for a radar detector for your car, truck or SUV, drop by Audio Designs and Custom Graphics in Jacksonville and talk with a member of our team. You can also give us a call at 904-333-2322 or reach our team by email using the contact form here on our website.
