BlendMount HardTap

Anyone mounted a hardtap? Search results showed zero results

Instructions seem simple enough, tap into a 12v+ that turns on with ignition and attach the ground to a ground bolt. Problem is I don't know where either of those things are on the truck. Sure I can tear it apart and look, but I wanted to see if anyone had done this before or has any insight. Thanks!

 

Little more detail on the hard tap? Never heard of them?

 

I would remove the sunglasses holder/map light/temp gauge thing and screw the ground in there to the roof (not through the actual roof but there is a second layer of metal in there where you cab drill into for ground. For ignition, you need to run a wire across the headliner, down the a-pillar (avoid air bags) and down below the driver knee panel to the fuse box. In there a plug with several thick heavy gauge wires in it... Those are to your ignition. Some are accessory, some are constant, and some are ignition. You need to locate the one that's ignition and tap that one. It will read 12v only on the second click of the key (on) and during cranking. If the 12v goes away during crank then its not a true ignition wire and is probably accessory.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...ing-diagram-rear-view-mirror.html#post7230073

Actually just updated this thread tonight. Most come with the wire tap shown and hook into the power from the rear view mirror.

 

I originally bought that kit, couldn't get the pins in, ground them down with a dremel until they were about half the size and still couldn't get the pins into the MOLEX connector. They sent me a HardTap, which is basically just a 12v wiretap and a bolt-on ground. BlendMount has fantastic customer support, by the way.

Would running down the A-pillar and mounting the ground where the Oh-Shit bar bolts on (grinding off the paint) and tap into the 12v from the mirror be an option? Those cables run down the driver side A-Pillar if I'm not mistaken.

 

It's power for a radar detector, in this case an Escort. The HardTap is a wiretap as opposed to piggy backing off the power going through the MOLEX connector in the mirror.

 

That sounds pretty handy!

 

I asked a local installer if they use the "Mirror Tap" vs. "hard tap". He said the mirror tap will blow the fuse. i don't know if he wanted me to believe that the 1 hour installation charge ($120) is worth it, or there is some truth in what he said.