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Hardwired Dash Cam Install

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by XnsmX, Sep 21, 2018.

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  1. XnsmX

    XnsmX Junior Member

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    Hi Everyone! I just installed my car dash cam today and I thought I'd like to share with everyone. This is for a Prime but the steps should be the same for the standard Prius as well. I decided to do a hardwired install because I like the idea of having all the wires tucked away and not seen. The model I got was an AUKEY DRO2 D which I got off Amazon and it comes with front and back cameras. For the hardwire kit I just got a kit with a Mini-USB connector and it comes with fuse taps for the common types of fuses and tapped off the power outlet fuse

    All the parts for the install.
    20180916_125258.jpg ​

    Our cars use the low-profile mini fuses, and included is a 5A fuse. The empty slot is where you place the original fuse which you want to tap from. Crimp this to the +12V wire.
    Also on the +12V power line is another fuse. Don't forget to check this in addition to the tap fuse if you ever think you blew the fuse for the dash cam.
    20180916_125530.jpg ​
    20180916_125920.jpg

    The fuse cover and the fuse I picked to tap into. FYI - after installing the fuse tap the cover won't fit back on.
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    All wired up and run it along the weather stripping
    20180916_135643.jpg 20180916_134951.jpg ​

    Yank the A pillar carefully starting at the weather stripping. There is an plastic anchor which stops you from pulling the whole thing off. You only need to pull enough so that you can run the USB connector and wire through BEHIND the air-bag.
    20180916_134724.jpg ​

    Move away the rear-view mirror and pull away the small plastic piece at the top, then slide the large cover downward along the windshield and the cover comes off so you can easily access the headliner.
    20180916_132421.jpg ​

    (if applicable) Mount the GPS antenna somewhere and bring the wires up into the headliner.
    20180921_110239.jpg ​

    The headliner has a nice cutout which I used for the 3 wires - USB power, GPS, and rear camera USB. For the rear camera USB, I started here and ran the wire in the head liner on the other side of the car - up to you to decide which side you want to run it on.
    20180921_110328.jpg ​

    The next few steps are routing the rear camera wire to the back. I did it on the passenger side, but you can follow the same steps for the driver side if you want. Push the wire behind the headliner and under the weather stripping.
    20180921_110552.jpg ​

    Pull back the B pillar starting from the weather stripping. I only pulled it back enough to fish the wire through it. Also, for my install the wire was very long so I tied it together and hid it all inside the B pillar. Theres a nice space inside which you can hide it, and it doesn't affect the operation of the seat belt either.
    20180916_132127.jpg 20180921_112904.jpg ​

    Pull back the C pillar and run the wire behind everything. I found it easier to pull the clips off in the back of the headliner, but I think you can skip this. I cut a small notch for the wire to come out and connected it tot he camera that way. I thought of doing it through the firewall and up through the trunk lid but that would have taken too much effort.
    20180921_111507.jpg 20180916_131640.jpg 20180921_111632.jpg ​

    Test everything out before putting all the panels back, and zip tie all the loose wires so everything is neat and secure.
    20180921_145207.jpg
     
    #1 XnsmX, Sep 21, 2018
    Kronn8, bikeprof, SeattleBebop1 and 11 others like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great write up and pics! thank you(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 24, 2018
    XnsmX likes this.
  3. axle2152

    axle2152 Active Member

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    That's pretty much what I did. Now only difference is that I did not pop the cover off the side air bag. I slipped the cabling behind the airbag unit and then along the edge of the headliner. The rear was more of a pain. Anyway, fuse taps are the way to go, I would never suggest cutting into an existing circuit.
     
    #3 axle2152, Sep 25, 2018
    SeattleBebop1 and Prius C 2013 like this.
  4. James2012

    James2012 Junior Member

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    Hi there... Does it matter which direction the original fuse is going on the tap? I know it's on the bottom end with the 5A fuse on top.

    "Upside down" from the 5A? From the picture, it looks like the tap wire is going right (away from driver's side door)?

    Thanks!
     
    #4 James2012, Jan 21, 2019
  5. hotelprisoner

    hotelprisoner Member

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    It does matter. Use an electric tester or fuse tester to find which side is hot. Your wire goes on the opposite side to that, otherwise you have no protection for your device as it will see current flow regardless of the fuse.
     
    #5 hotelprisoner, Jan 21, 2019
    benagi likes this.
  6. GSK

    GSK Active Member

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    Can you feed the wire from that cutout in the front all the way to the back for the rear camera? Just a straight shot all the way, or is going along the side necessary? Also, is the rear camera mounted on the carbon fiber of the trunk lid? Just wondering how well that holds up
     
    #6 GSK, Mar 5, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  7. Prius C 2013

    Prius C 2013 New Member

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    Hi Axle2152, I do have the same color Prius Prime. I've been working on a project to install a hardwire kit for the Wolfbox G840H dash cam to my Prius C for more than 4 weeks now. I was wondering if you could tell me how did you slip the cabling behind the airbag unit and then along the edge of the headliner without doing what XsnmX suggested. A couple pictures would be appreciated.
     
    #7 Prius C 2013, Aug 17, 2021
  8. HopefulGasSipper

    HopefulGasSipper Junior Member

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    I wish to route the cables on my 4th generation Prius 3 through the rubber channels between the body and the lift gate. Has anybody been able to access that area? It seems very difficult and I am hesitant to force anything at this point.
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 HopefulGasSipper, Jan 10, 2022
  9. bikeprof

    bikeprof New Member

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    I routed all the cables quite similar to OP and when the cable was fed(passenger side) to rear camera in my car, I brought it to the drivers side near the hatchback arm but only over the rubber seal and putting extra foam beside it to keep rain/water from coming into trunk.
    Rear camera comes with STICK TAPE, make sure glass IS CLEAN before making contact to rear glass !
    I stuck rear camera to lower(VERTICAL/SMALLER glass) bringing cable from upper part of plastic pieces.

    Mine is HARDWIRED to the fuse box, not really too hard but HAVE TO GET two(2) MINI fuse LOW PROFILE FUSE TAPS for the job.
    Going UNDER the airbag is not too hard BUT be careful and DON'T BEAT on the trim or force anything AROUND THERE...
    Best to DISCONNECT battery and wait about 35 minutes for "lectricity to discharge from airbag !

    My original post #169 on "What did you do to Gen 4 Prius today" with pictures.
     
    #9 bikeprof, Mar 18, 2023
  10. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Nice job.

    Alternatively, one might want to check out the Fitcamx which has a factory-installed look and feel and can be installed in less than 30 minutes:

    [​IMG]
     
    #10 pghyndman, Mar 19, 2023
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