Anybody install a dash camera?

[FNR8DRZ]

Has anyone here installed a dash camera themselves? I am trying to see how difficult it was to tuck the wiring....and what was the most difficult part for you?

I have installed a couple myself. I found that tucking the wires / removing panels to be the only issues. I will run the power off the OBD connection.

Sponsored

 

[Quashish]

I always do add a fuse accessory power for dash cameras. I have a garmin 67w or something in the front and a mini3 in the rear. Ford panels are easy not like taking apart a Volkswagen. If you’ve installed them before idk what else to tell you.

 

[FNR8DRZ]

Funny you mention VW...I installed 2 in both of my Jettas. Some panels are difficult to remove.

Local shop wants $300 to install dash cameras and hard wire. Im thinking of just attempting to do it myself and save the $300.

 

[incavulator]

Yes. Did my own. Not difficult at all.

Bought the harness (Amazon - "Dash cam power adapter for Bronco Sport") that tees into the rear view mirror power connector under the plastic trim panel that houses the forward camera. This provides a USB outlet, so the only wire routing was from that plastic trim cover to where the dash cam is located, which I mounted just below that plastic trim panel.

It was very easy using this method.

 

[TheDude]

I tried a few different cameras and all were sent back. Not because I didn't like them, but they just can't handle the Florida heat and sun. They overheat and shut down a lot. I had one in my Mustang that worked well, but also used to keep it in my garage unlike the Bronco.

I did try a Vantrue with the OBD that shuts down the camera if the battery drops below a certain level awhile back and it was super easy running the wires front and rear. All I needed was the plastic trim tool. Didn't have to remove any panels.

 

[Unicorn]

I did mine the lazy way. It's attached to the windshield at the top, just beside the camera and rear view mirror. I used a short USB C to Micro cable to plug it in to the USB power on the top of the dash behind the screen. I have something hanging from my mirror so the cable isn't any more noticeable. Otherwise I'd just get a much longer cable and run it around the edge of the windshield to the same port.

 

[Cobrablues]

Funny you mention VW...I installed 2 in both of my Jettas. Some panels are difficult to remove.

Local shop wants $300 to install dash cameras and hard wire. Im thinking of just attempting to do it myself and save the $300.

I installed a Botslab 3k 4 channel camera. It was actually fairly easy. I can download videos to my phone and control everything from the app on my phone.
https://a.co/d/0diF0r8V

 

[Mitchjd2]

Use a garmin mini 3. attached it to the left of the rearview mirror tuck the wire in along the top of the windshield, down the left pillar and then along the bottom of the dash. The wire tucks in very easily on all three sides. plug into the usb plugs on the dash. I have a dash mat on my dash. None of the wire show.

 

[coopny]

If you're going 1/2ch, front only (front facing out windshield to road, or front facing/passenger facing), it's pretty easy. Pry tools are cheap as can be (cheaper on Aliexpress if you're patient, but inexpensive on Amazon). You can tuck the wire into the headliner pretty easily without a pry tool, you'll likely want a smaller pry tool to go down one of the pillars. I picked the passenger side so right pillar, then it's pretty easy to get the wire under the glovebox (especially in later model years where Ford just skipped that undercover) and to a powerpoint.

If you're going to wire a rear channel for a second camera on the rear glass: I routed it via the headliner until the passenger side B pillar, than down on the floor, tucked under the rails for the passenger seat (seat moves, the rails don't), then under the scuff cover/sill for the passenger side, same route under the glovebox. Really depends on how much wire length you have (if you get a 3ch or 2ch with a rear dashcam, the included wire is probably sedan length and you'll want to get an optional longer cable. I had to for my Viofo A229 Pro).

 

[Stircrazy]

Yes. Did my own. Not difficult at all.

Bought the harness (Amazon - "Dash cam power adapter for Bronco Sport") that tees into the rear view mirror power connector under the plastic trim panel that houses the forward camera. This provides a USB outlet, so the only wire routing was from that plastic trim cover to where the dash cam is located, which I mounted just below that plastic trim panel.

It was very easy using this method.

did you take any pictures of that ?

 

[jmg]

pictures please

 

[incavulator]

Does this help?