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Hardwired Dash Camera (Hidden Wiring)

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by orion808, Aug 30, 2017.

  1. Aug 30, 2017 at 11:59 PM
    #1
    orion808

    orion808 [OP] Jack of all trades. Master of none.

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    Interior LEDs Hardwired DashCam/Extra USB Black "Tacoma" on tailgate Blackened Badges Nerf Bars Mud Guards Rear Diff. Breather Mod Plasti-dipped Grille Glovebox Vinyl LED Bed Lights LED soft glow flooring accent lights Custom switches Diamondback Tonneau 3rd Bed Rail Sill Protectors w/ Vinyl Tweeter Upgrades Tint windows Husky Floor Mats Molle Panel behind seats Speaker Upgrades Anytime Camera Mod w/ Secondary Rear Camera Plan: Clazzios 2-3" Lift
    SO I recently purchased a Tacoma. I have the mod bug and know that if I don't do it now, I won't do it. So, that said, I've started. One of the first projects was a dash camera.

    I hate the idea of a 12V outlet being taken up, so adding a fuse and hard wiring it was my only option.

    Here's the final product:


    On the driver's side , I removed the door molding so that I could easily hide the wires as they ran up to the top of the window. Note that the USB cable is orange and black.


    I tucked in the wiring by first sticking a plastic scrapper up between the headliner and the window. I then tucked the usb cable behind it and stuffed it further if needed with the scrapper.


    Under the steering wheel is the fuse panel. I removed the panel with a screw driver. It felt like I'd break the tab, but it came loose. I used an piggyback fuse holder and placed a 10A fuse inside. I also used a 12V -> 5V converter with USB outputs already included.


    Here's a basic schematic:
     
  2. Aug 31, 2017 at 12:04 AM
    #2
    Kelly6773

    Kelly6773 Well-Known Member

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    Nice job. Very tempting. Just curious what model dash camera did you go with?
     
    verynearlypure likes this.
  3. Aug 31, 2017 at 12:11 AM
    #3
    Nmtxline

    Nmtxline Well-Known Member

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    Any issues with the wipers and dash cam going at the same time? I suck at anything electrical.
    I'm tempted to do this, but I'm thinking I want a cam with a parking mode so it will record when I'm away from the truck.
     
  4. Aug 31, 2017 at 12:23 AM
    #4
    orion808

    orion808 [OP] Jack of all trades. Master of none.

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    2017 Inferno Tacoma Off-Road (Premium & Tech)
    Interior LEDs Hardwired DashCam/Extra USB Black "Tacoma" on tailgate Blackened Badges Nerf Bars Mud Guards Rear Diff. Breather Mod Plasti-dipped Grille Glovebox Vinyl LED Bed Lights LED soft glow flooring accent lights Custom switches Diamondback Tonneau 3rd Bed Rail Sill Protectors w/ Vinyl Tweeter Upgrades Tint windows Husky Floor Mats Molle Panel behind seats Speaker Upgrades Anytime Camera Mod w/ Secondary Rear Camera Plan: Clazzios 2-3" Lift
    Just drove it in the rain last night. No issues at all. I need to see if I can edit the camera settings to not try to focus on the rain drops on the windshield every so often. Otherwise, clear as can be.

    If you mean are the wipers affected. No. They can't be. The piggyback fuse just steals power straight from the battery before it is fused. It has two fuses, one for the original that you are taking out of the fuse panel, and the other is for your device. They are separate circuits, so they don't affect each other.

    As for the dash cam, I edited the above to have a link to Amazon. See the first line.

    And sorry, only second post. I edited/added photos and links. You both replied so quick, it might have been before I did so.
     
  5. Aug 31, 2017 at 5:37 PM
    #5
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    I've got the BlackVue 650S, 2 channel.... It's been real good and has 1080 front and 720 rear HD.... parking mode is great... unit shuts off when battery goes down to 12 v or so....you can set that..

    Good quality video..
     
    verynearlypure likes this.
  6. Aug 31, 2017 at 6:21 PM
    #6
    UntamedTaco

    UntamedTaco Formerly: Montauk17

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    Looks good. Thanks for the detailed pics. I just traded up to a 2017 OR and need to install my dashcam. What length of USB cable did you use? I see that you have some extra cable coiled up. If you didn't have the coiled section what length cable would be the minimum length with camera mounted to the left of the rearview mirror?
     
  7. Aug 31, 2017 at 10:35 PM
    #7
    orion808

    orion808 [OP] Jack of all trades. Master of none.

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    Interior LEDs Hardwired DashCam/Extra USB Black "Tacoma" on tailgate Blackened Badges Nerf Bars Mud Guards Rear Diff. Breather Mod Plasti-dipped Grille Glovebox Vinyl LED Bed Lights LED soft glow flooring accent lights Custom switches Diamondback Tonneau 3rd Bed Rail Sill Protectors w/ Vinyl Tweeter Upgrades Tint windows Husky Floor Mats Molle Panel behind seats Speaker Upgrades Anytime Camera Mod w/ Secondary Rear Camera Plan: Clazzios 2-3" Lift
    I used 10 feet. Minimum would be about 7-8 the direction I went. I used a piece of string to get a rough measurement, then added 2 feet for minor obstructions. I think most USB cables are sold in 3, 6, and 10 foot increments.
     
  8. Aug 31, 2017 at 10:48 PM
    #8
    bacon_st

    bacon_st Well-Known Member

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    I bought an adapter for the GoPro mounting plate of our truck to attached my dashcam to that and ran the wires through the roof liner to the same fusebox. I have a JooVuu X dashcam and is loving it. It has a phone app that allows me to connect to my camera to watch videos, download and do other stuff. It's very stealth which was one of my requirements. And records while my truck's shutdown and parked as well based on motion detection and has a built in GPS. The first one I bought had a suction cup like yours, but it always kept popping off the windshield when I went over bumps or some rickety roads.

    Hopefully, my dashcam will become useful and be worth it one day when the time comes. It's an insurance.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
  9. Aug 31, 2017 at 11:12 PM
    #9
    SoupaSoup

    SoupaSoup Not so well-known member

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    I have had zero interest in a dash cam but now I might do it. Last night a drunk ran a red light and I narrowly avoided a T-boned truck. Got me thinking about a dash cam. Super nice write-up, thanks!
     
  10. Aug 31, 2017 at 11:19 PM
    #10
    orion808

    orion808 [OP] Jack of all trades. Master of none.

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    Interior LEDs Hardwired DashCam/Extra USB Black "Tacoma" on tailgate Blackened Badges Nerf Bars Mud Guards Rear Diff. Breather Mod Plasti-dipped Grille Glovebox Vinyl LED Bed Lights LED soft glow flooring accent lights Custom switches Diamondback Tonneau 3rd Bed Rail Sill Protectors w/ Vinyl Tweeter Upgrades Tint windows Husky Floor Mats Molle Panel behind seats Speaker Upgrades Anytime Camera Mod w/ Secondary Rear Camera Plan: Clazzios 2-3" Lift
    Ouch. Stay safe.

    I just figured, better safe than sorry. It's one of those things you get and hope to never need. Such is life. I tend to try to be prepared in all I do. That philosophy explains most of what I do or purchase.

    This install took no more than 2 hours total. And that was just because I did it in stages as I waited on parts or walking back and forth to my garage/driveway.

    Peace of mind is great.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
    SoupaSoup likes this.
  11. Aug 31, 2017 at 11:28 PM
    #11
    mCat

    mCat Well known member.....lol member

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    There is a guy on Amazon selling USB adapters that work by piggybacking on the mirror plug. I'll try and find it in the morning. It's a 2 minute job to add a USB to the spot right behind the mirror
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  12. Sep 1, 2017 at 12:17 AM
    #12
    Facts Only

    Facts Only Well-Known Member

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    In for update
     
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  13. Sep 1, 2017 at 11:51 AM
    #13
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    That would make it even easier to install, but would only provide "keyed" power, so NO park mode available with that set up....

    It's actually VERY easy to run the wire up there from the fuse box..... took me about 3 minutes.. It just tucks in under the headliner with your fingers, or maybe use a plastic tool...
     
  14. Sep 1, 2017 at 12:54 PM
    #14
    Shmedly

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  15. Sep 1, 2017 at 2:14 PM
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    mCat

    mCat Well known member.....lol member

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    I am waiting on the guy to send me a link to his Amazon for the adapters. He makes them for the second gen like I have and there is constant power in the mirror harness. Not sure about the third gen harness.


    He gave me this cable a while back to try out on my tacoma and it works great. Since then he has gotten the actual harness male and female adapters.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01AYS4JZ4/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8


     
  16. Sep 1, 2017 at 2:44 PM
    #16
    over60

    over60 Over70 & still a "Grumpy Old Guy"

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    shakerhood likes this.
  17. Sep 14, 2017 at 12:36 PM
    #17
    44mger

    44mger Active Member

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  18. Sep 14, 2017 at 12:47 PM
    #18
    Rownan

    Rownan Well-Known Member

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    nicely done.

    I had the same falconzero camera for a short time but the battery was shot straight from the factory. Would not work properly in parking mode as a result, which is primarily the reason I got it.

    Returned it and switched to a z-edge z3 which accomplishes the same task and looks a little more subtle in the windshield.

    I mounted mine to the gopro mount using a 3d printed adapter. Worked pretty well for the short time I had it. Used a similar power adapter as you did with an add-a-fuse, and tucked all the wiring away. Clean look!
     
  19. Sep 14, 2017 at 1:06 PM
    #19
    TacoTruck808

    TacoTruck808 Well-Known Member

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    payrow likes this.
  20. Sep 14, 2017 at 1:41 PM
    #20
    44mger

    44mger Active Member

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    Will the dome light fuse work for 12v? That should be hot all the time.
     

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