Dashcam rear camera mounting and cable run

I think the best spot to mount a rear dashcam would be on the trim at the bottom of the rear window opening. The problem with mounting it at the top of the opening is that the wiper doesn't clear that area, and the water droplets from the rain seem to stay on the rear window in that spot, making the rear camera mostly useless.

Mounting it on the bottom of the opening solves the rain problem, but running the cable through the grommet and around the window looks like a challenge. The connector on the cable isn't removeable, so you'd have to force it (wire pulling lube might help) through the grommet.

I could 3D print a small guard to protect the camera from being bumped, but I very seldom open the window, mostly I just open the liftgate.

Is this location for the rear camera worth the trouble of running the cable?

 

Most owners who have a rear camera have it mounted on the INSIDE. There's a spot where you can run the wiring and mount a small bracket. The down side it, if you have dark tint the quality won't be excellent and/or if you have your spare mounted to the bumper or if you have a bike rack mounted on the trailer hitch.

 

I don't have any tint on the liftgate window, just the heat grid. The bike rack is a consideration that I hadn't thought about.

My intent is to mount the rear cam inside the liftgate window, just at the bottom of the window on the liftgate rather than on the headliner at the top. To do that, I'd have to run the cable through the wiring grommet to the inside of the liftgate to reach the camera.

I'm just asking if this is a good way to proceed (even though it looks to be more difficult) or if the more usual mount at the top of the window on the headliner is good enough.

 

This isn't my ride, but it shows how easy it can be mounted to the interior.

 

There's no doubt that the headliner mount is simpler, and I considered buying the same bracket as in your photo. It seems that mounting the cam on the liftgate itself would give a better image.

I'm wondering if it would be worth the effort to do that.

 

Mounting the rear camera as @Borracho Loco mentions above also would prevent the camera from getting jostled every time you shut the lift gate. Mounting it on the lift gate sounds like a lot of extra work for what it accomplishes. But if you think that's a better idea, have at it.

 

I have thought about doing that very thing ever since I bought my 4Runner. Mounting it inside means you don't get the best picture but the mounting is easier and the camera lens never gets dirty.

I think this mount is a great idea:



BUT, invert it, trim it, find some rattle can spray paint so it matches your body color. Then mount it on TOP of the rear spoiler. You'd have to drill into the spoiler to run the wiring. But it would have an OEM-ish look and it would have an obstructed view.

 

I mounted rear cam to the hatch. Running the cable for the cam was not to bad. I moved it to the hatch because I kept knocking it off every time I reach for things in the cargo area. Now it is out of the way when I open the hatch.

 

I have mine mounted on the passenger's side with the camera aimed a little down and to the drivers side a bit. Mounting it on the passengers side allows it to shoot through the area that the rear wiper will clean. You are also less likely to hit it since it's not in the center but off to your right.

 

I have a 3D printed mount for the rear but just purchased the mount @Borracho Loco posted. I ran the rear cable down the passenger side door sill following existing wiring and the rear washer tube.

 

That looks like a good solution, and mounting it to the interior using one of the three trim fastener spots would definitely be easier than trying to run the cable through to the liftgate. Thank you.

 

I have mine in the rear middle as the others. But since i have 5% tint, unless it's blazing sunny, the picture on the 2k camera is dull. But does the job and still clear enough.

 

Have you considered cutting a small rectangle out? What I mean is: Take an exacto knife and cut out a small piece of the window tint so the camera has a clear view. If I ever decide to mount a rear cam, that's how I plan to do it.

 

I would rather not cut the tint out just for that. It's not that bad during the day really. Just at night /morning when it's dark is when i only see headlights. But i don't drive much at those times anyways ( only to work for 30 mins). It really only makes it like a 1080 cam during the day. I'll pull a video tomorrow.

 

I've got mine mounted where Steely has his, with factory tint. Ran the cable across the driver's side headliner in 10 minutes. Easy install, camera does not even pick up the tint.

 

Here's my viofo through the limo tint. I threw in a front shot (1st pic) to contrast for reference in the dark.

 

I decided to mount it as you did, and I think it's in the area cleared by the wiper. Seems like the best mounting option for the rear cam. Now I'll leave the cable flopping around for a few days to make sure everything is working, then I'll hide the cable. Not sure exactly how that will be done.

 

Did you have to remove the A pillar trim piece to run the cable? It looks like it can be routed along the headliner without much trouble. Where did you curl up the excess cable?

 

in that mounting spot, you just have to stuff it in the top of the trim pieces where it meets the headliner. The extra just rolled up on the side window piece with enough to run to the middle for me.

 

Yes, but it's easy. Two bolts.

 

The cable connecting the front and rear cams is neatly tucked in along the headliner. It took a little while to get it done and a plastic trim tool was helpful to get it under the trim pieces at the B pillar and along the cargo area side window. The extra cable is above the cargo side window.

I need to run the hardwire power cord down through the dash to connect to the underdash fuse block and ground. It feels like there is room towards the windshield for it to pass down. I was going to use a piece of #12 copper wire as a fish tape to pull it down but is there a better way to do that?

Suggestions are welcome.

 

Run the cable behind the door rubber seal and slip it through the hole inside and down to the fuse block.

Use one of these to cover up the fuse tap.
Toyota 4runner 2010-2019 V2 Extended Fuse Cover - Etsy

I used the KDSS fuse slot since I don't have that on my 4Runner. I had to cut off one of the tabs on the Etsy fuse cover to accommodate the correct fuse tap orientation when using the KDSS slot. Make sure you orientate the fuse tap correctly for the slot you are going to use.