Thinkware F-770 dash cam(s) Hard-wire Install

Oh Happy day, a year and a half in the making, so many choices and features out there but I finally got married to one!



The first step is to read the installation instructions.

I placed the unit on windshield and used the power outlet to power the unit and locate the correct spot by lining up the center line (vertical line splits the hood in center) and the horizontal line on the edge of the hood and marked it.

I applied the camera mount, tape side to windshield, held it for 5 minutes and left it alone without the weight of camera for 24hr as per install instructions and mounted it the next day.



The next step for me was to loosen the front of the headliner and fish the wiring for both cameras to the front by removing the dome light console. The console is held by 4 snap clips, simply grab by corners and pull down gently.



The driver’s sun shade is held on by two Phillip screws and metal clip simply pull down after removing screws, for the visor (on right side of visor) anchor or place holder i wiggled it left/right and pulled it down.




Next is the drivers side weather strip and the pillar cover 10mm retainer, wiggle and pull pillar cover.
Word of caution, Air bags are not only expensive but have been known cause injury therefore disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes before is advised.
I didn’t because I didn’t want the ecm to relearn drivetrain, but I used extreme care and don’t recommend anyone do as I.



Fished wires down pillar to fuse box.



The power connection.




Power supplied to my camera is delivered via power tap terminals on fuse box. Yellow wire for (engine) running mode, the on-power is supplied by15A fuse circuit aka cigarette lighter power outlet.
For parking mode, (when engine is off) I used the red + wire at the AM1 at the top (next to 20A fuse) of fuse box. I could also use the hazard lights 20A circuit.



The black wire clearly labeled is ground. I backed out the screw that holds the bottom dash on the left side next to the fuse box which is fastened to metal frame and pushed the eye lid in and inserted the screw back to a tight ground connection.It can strip easy so no need for king kong here, as long as the connection is good & tight.




I then taped (clear scotch tape) the oem fuses and taped them to the fuse box cover for permanent storage in globe box.



Bring up the rear!

For the rear camera, I fished the wire to the top on drivers side to the back, but its probably easier to just go thru the bottom, no air bags to worry about there. I have too many wires coming down the pillar already, and I may add one more.





Three screw and you're out!
It will wiggle out, just three screws and I have access to store excess wire




I have limo tint on rear glass and didn’t want to mount it there in case I decide to move the rear camera to the front and look back, therefore I used an old sun-visor clip mount I’ve had for the escort radar detector I was no longer using.

I taped it to keep any rattling noise in check, cut a the excess section off, rounded corners and filed off any sharp edges. Don’t want any rear passenger injuries lol!



I started in the far left (driver side corner) and slid the camera clip holder to the middle



I used a small vise grip to hold camera to clip so it would adhere better, no need for tight grip just slight press/squeeze for better adhesion.



And while that adhered, I started to button everything up

The rear looks good!



The rear camera is invisible from the outside



And so is the front...Well, almost.
You can see it if you take your time. The 4" tint at the top does help to distract inquisitive eyes.




Parting thoughts:
The job is a breeze, even though I chose to do it the harder way, but I have my reasons. It can be done in under an hour by a pro, hour and a half tops. This is just for your info to gauge the labor charge.

I did it myself so its a N/C

It is well worth it in my book, it works as it should, awesome videos. My rear is hard to see at night, but that's the limo tint at work.

With so many Tacos down, and some close calls by some very bad drivers out there, I feel more at easy if i should ever need a witness and can't find one.

As a bonus, its got line departure warning, and proximity warning, both not intrusive or annoying imo

Hope this helps, stay safe out there
Cheers!

 

Additional install pics and tip.

I purchased a rear view mirror windshield wire cover to make it look like factory, and it does!
But some trimming work was required


The gadget to the right is the Escort 9500 IX radar detector installed in the go pro mount

I know pic is blurred, but the chrome on the left is the lens, on to the right would be a green led that stays on. I covered it with black tape because after viewing night footage, there was a blueish spot on the videos that I thought was in my tint, but it was the led refection that I had to cover after install.



A closer look at the rear camera reveals install on bracket better. I did not want it installed on the glass or on the headliner and have a mess when I removed it later.


I also tucked the wire after putting tape around wire to prevent movement damage against bracket and make a tighter/neater looking install.

 

Did you leave slack on rear cam so when you open bed window you dont rip out the wiring?

 

Its not on rear window, its on a bracket, and the bracket is clipped at the headliner. Rear window slides NP.

 

Just checking because I had my shop do a rear cam and they put it on the window. Cant help but laugh, took them 5 minutes to correct it.

 

Nice! How much did the camera cost you?

 

@crazychris4124

Yeah they've been known to do that, But I wanted to be able to open mine in case I needed it to. I can even slide it (the camera) out the way NP!

 

It was $419 for everything but the rear bracket

 

Nice work and write up, a Dashcam is definitely on my to do list.

 

Thanks for the detailed write up!

 

I've been wanting mine for some time, did a lot of research on features, prices, reliability, ease of use, install and support and finally bit the bullet. There are indeed all kinds, good ones out there. But reliability for when I (hopefully won't) need it is at the top of my list and I hope I made the right choice.

Cheers!