Dash Cam Install

[Jaan]

How does the rear camera connect to the front camera? Is it wired or wireless? Does it use a composite connection? I'm thinking I could maybe split my current reverse cam wire and connect to this.

It's wired. Simple stereo phono plug. The second camera actually is mirrored and has guide lines. It does have infrared LED's built into it too.

I heard the new Corvette is going to have an option for a built in dash cam and data logger. I'm really surprised this hasn't happened already.

 

[dcon]

I've been pretty happy with this one so far.. I hope it'll last through the SoCal summer heat, only had it since last November so it's too early to say. I haven't had a cam that wasn't affected by the heat and required a cool down before it could start recording, so I'll have to wait and see with this one. I hard wired it to the glove box outlet and attached it behind the mirror, it came out clean and unobtrusive.
Dashcam

 

[N2GLOCK]

I've been pretty happy with this one so far.. I hope it'll last through the SoCal summer heat, only had it since last November so it's too early to say. I haven't had a cam that wasn't affected by the heat and required a cool down before it could start recording, so I'll have to wait and see with this one. I hard wired it to the glove box outlet and attached it behind the mirror, it came out clean and unobtrusive.
Dashcam

That looks exactly like the one I ordered. I went with the Street Guardian brand that's the Australian version for North America. I also ordered the GPS antenna and hardwire kit for it that supposedly allows for recording while the vehicle is off w/o draining the battery.

 

[xDROPOUTx]

For those mounting camera's on the rear glass ~ or running dual camera setups ~ where do you mount the rear camera with our rear window that rolls down?

 

[N2GLOCK]

The back window that rolls down is the reason why I stuck with just one camera. Maybe there's a way to mount one and still be able to roll the window down. There are cameras on the market that have both front and rear facing lenses built into the same unit. Not sure if the rear facing lens will capture anything out the back window though.

 

[xDROPOUTx]

The back window that rolls down is the reason why I stuck with just one camera. Maybe there's a way to mount one and still be able to roll the window down. There are cameras on the market that have both front and rear facing lenses built into the same unit. Not sure if the rear facing lens will capture anything out the back window though.

Hmmm ... Perhaps some sort of bracket that can be mounted cleanly under the headliner? That's the only thing I can think of.

I need to do more research. That dual lens camera may be just the ticket ~ although you'd probably get some wicked tunnel vision with little to no visibility out the rear window.

 

[Miguelon]

Hmmm ... Perhaps some sort of bracket that can be mounted cleanly under the headliner? That's the only thing I can think of.

I need to do more research. That dual lens camera may be just the ticket ~ although you'd probably get some wicked tunnel vision with little to no visibility out the rear window.

A little fabrication and it could be flushmount in the rear spoiler.

 

[flatspin]

I've been pretty happy with this one so far.. I hope it'll last through the SoCal summer heat, only had it since last November so it's too early to say. I haven't had a cam that wasn't affected by the heat and required a cool down before it could start recording, so I'll have to wait and see with this one. I hard wired it to the glove box outlet and attached it behind the mirror, it came out clean and unobtrusive.
Dashcam

This is what I have also. Works really well, isn't a lot of money (afraid it'll get stolen), and blends it well.

One thing to keep in mind. Many cameras use batteries which don't do well in heat. They could not only fail, but also fail in a fiery way. Best to use one that has a capacitor instead.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I picked up a dashcam to install and then read something about the 4Runner being ground side fused instead of positive fused. Does this mean the Add-a-Fuse that will be plugged into the mini-fuse panel under the driver console should be on the ground wire for the camera and not the positive wire?

 

[96r50]

I picked up a dashcam to install and then read something about the 4Runner being ground side fused instead of positive fused. Does this mean the Add-a-Fuse that will be plugged into the mini-fuse panel under the driver console should be on the ground wire for the camera and not the positive wire?

The 4Runner is positive side fused.

 

[xnodesirex]

I picked up a dashcam to install and then read something about the 4Runner being ground side fused instead of positive fused. Does this mean the Add-a-Fuse that will be plugged into the mini-fuse panel under the driver console should be on the ground wire for the camera and not the positive wire?

Wired mine in the other day. The way I did it was to run the cable through the front of the headliner, around the top of the a-pillar airbag, down the a-pillar to the fuse box. Completely hidden wiring. I did have to splice in some extra wire, because the kit I was using wasnt long enough, but that took 20s to do. Crimped to an 'add-a-fuse' in an empty spot of the lower fuse panel, and ran the ground to a bolt against the firewall. VERY easy to do.

In hindsight, I would have ran the wiring to the headliner console. Having a TE, there is a lot of electrical already running there, so grabbing a switch hot and a ground would be easy and a lot less wire to run. I've had it taken apart recently to install an electret mic to run to my Pioneer head unit, which may be why I wish I had ran it to the upper console.

Either way works.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

In hindsight, I would have ran the wiring to the headliner console. Having a TE, there is a lot of electrical already running there, so grabbing a switch hot and a ground would be easy and a lot less wire to run. I've had it taken apart recently to install an electret mic to run to my Pioneer head unit, which may be why I wish I had ran it to the upper console.

I was planning on going the same way you did, even waited weeks to amazon order the right size add-a-fuse, but the overhead console sounds like a better idea. Is there an ignition switched 12v in the overhead console that would work? I would think the map lights are constant hot, and the off-road switches there would require a certain return voltage to the computer for their different modes.

 

[el_kab0ng]

Not to be a debby downer here, but you might want to look into laws regarding dash cams and surveillance in your State before investing.

 

[Vultradamus]

Hmmm ... Perhaps some sort of bracket that can be mounted cleanly under the headliner? That's the only thing I can think of.

I need to do more research. That dual lens camera may be just the ticket ~ although you'd probably get some wicked tunnel vision with little to no visibility out the rear window.

https://youtu.be/YUsHouIxVqs?list=PLZAxNi9JKtBEUQhQp9_c_ZB0ipWitH2SF

On my BlackVue 650, I ran the rear dash came up along the headliner, through the wire portals leading into the rear hatch and then down and around and up to sit upon the plastic looking out the back. Just make sure your rear window is clear every couple of days and you should have no problem with the functionality of the the rear camera as the lenses and the 1080P quality has never been effected by the the amount of dirt.

HOWEVER

In the wintertime, the rear cameras DO NOT produce enough heat to defog and melt whatever frozen water is on the back windows. Use Defrosters and accessory heat whenever possible. Keep your windows clear because salt will prevent the cameras from properly focusing out.

Regardless though, I love my set up, and I'm surprised people don't put them in their vehicles more?

 

[Vultradamus]

Not to be a debby downer here, but you might want to look into laws regarding dash cams and surveillance in your State before investing.

You're allowed too. Public spaces. Though if you work in and area such as I do that is restricted with cameras and such, just reach up and turn off the camera. #Simple

 

[flatspin]

Not to be a debby downer here, but you might want to look into laws regarding dash cams and surveillance in your State before investing.

Outside of the US this might be true. In the US, thanks to the 1st amendment, in public places there is no expectation of privacy so video is allowed.

Dash Cam FAQ | Dashboard Video Camera Frequently Asked Questions

Audio though might be different so either informing passengers of the recording or just turning off the mic (what I do) is suggested. Nobody really wants to hear the crappy music you are listening to anyway when watching a video.

 

[Vultradamus]

Outside of the US this might be true. In the US, thanks to the 1st amendment, in public places there is no expectation of privacy so video is allowed.

Dash Cam FAQ | Dashboard Video Camera Frequently Asked Questions

Audio though might be different so either informing passengers of the recording or just turning off the mic (what I do) is suggested. Nobody really wants to hear the crappy music you are listening to anyway when watching a video.

This is very true as well... Turning off the audio is great, the last thing you want is the judge to review your video and have "**** tha Police" blasting in the background.

 

[DKFTPNYC]

Out of curiosity, are all dashcams 12v or do some operate on 5v? I have a dashcam from my previous car I am trying to hardwire and I was under the impression I had to bring it down to 5v. So I got lazy and just bought a female end cig adapter, wired that to the car, and just tucked everything in my headliner on my previous car thinking the cig adapter part was what converted it to 5v. Sorry to bring up an old thread. Happy New Year everyone!

 

[weeeee]

Out of curiosity, are all dashcams 12v or do some operate on 5v? I have a dashcam from my previous car I am trying to hardwire and I was under the impression I had to bring it down to 5v. So I got lazy and just bought a female end cig adapter, wired that to the car, and just tucked everything in my headliner on my previous car thinking the cig adapter part was what converted it to 5v. Sorry to bring up an old thread. Happy New Year everyone!

Here's a link to my hardwire job

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/112823-weeeees-build-thread-3.html#post2219321

 

[littlezavasaurus]

Here's a link to my hardwire job

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/112823-weeeees-build-thread-3.html#post2219321

Did you have to take the dash apart? I'm not familiar at all with electronics so (to me) your write up left out the most important part. Where did you install the fuse?