DIY Tutorial for Hardwiring a Dashcam and Radar Detector

[MachDoc]

Are you referring to a built in detector, or something that will work with my existing equipment?

Built in. But given the expense, I am going to try other ways of mounting my current one to maximize sensitivity

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[fmtexmme]

Jeff, this is fantastic. Thank you, it gave me the confidence to install my own dash cam this way. My biggest issue is the A column cover, how the hell did you get that back on? It’s driving me nuts, I don’t believe anything else is obstructed but the two clips up top are just not letting me in far enough to close it up. Any words of wisdom?

It might be too late to help you, but maybe someone else can benefit here. I also had problems getting the A-pillar cover to clip back into those black pieces. I found out those black pieces are themselves clipped into the white piece. I removed the black pieces and installed them on the A-pillar cover and then I was easily able to snap everything back into place.

 

[Benjamin Kegele]

man really nice you share this. I installed my first dash cam set on an explorer yesterday and next is my Mach E, I wonder, are there any airbags on top of the doors, like where you used the hanger wire? I am worried that I would run in front of the airbag. At the explorer I used 3m clips which I sticked against the roof, so they stay put behind the airbag.


and a site question, are those radar detectors really working?

 

[jdsimard2012]

This is great! Just wish I had the confidence to do it myself, but it is extremely informative! Cheers!

 

[MachDoc]

man really nice you share this. I installed my first dash cam set on an explorer yesterday and next is my Mach E, I wonder, are there any airbags on top of the doors, like where you used the hanger wire? I am worried that I would run in front of the airbag. At the explorer I used 3m clips which I sticked against the roof, so they stay put behind the airbag.


and a site question, are those radar detectors really working?

1. I am sure that my wires are lateral to any important structures as they are literally just under the headliner.

2. My Uniden R3 works well but not like it did in a "normal" car. The trick is to get the sensor up high behind the "mesh" area up top.. It is not parallel to the ground but still gives ample warning time. Saved my ass just earlier today.

3. My next step to get it even higher behind the mesh will be to mount it from underneath the detector. Possibly with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/LycoGear-Det...ywords=uniden+r3+mount&qid=1622509240&sr=8-15

 

[Benjamin Kegele]

thanks man, very helpful, I will try it out tonight and see how it works. I hope it is not much more difficult then on the ford explorer. If it is the same I should be done before midnight I keep you posted. I hope I do not mess up my bright interior.

 

[Benjamin Kegele]

Ok here it comes.

I have the camera set and harness set from Amazon:
Amazon.com: VIOFO Dual Dash Cam, 2K 1440P 60fps+1080P 30fps Front and Rear Dash Camera with Wi-Fi GPS, Parking Mode, Emergency Recording, Super Capacitor, Motion Detection (A129 Plus Duo)

Amazon.com: SHISHUO Dash Cam Hardwire Kit - Mini USB And Micro USB Port Extended 4m/13ft Cable with LP Mini/Mini/ATO/Micro2 Fuse, 12V to 24V Input, 5V Output for Dash Cam GPS Sat-Nav with Battery Drain Protection

you will need also a micro SD card.

I started at the trunk first. it was like you mentioned really hard to get the wire pushed through the rubber hose, especially since it has the usb plug on it. I put hot glue on top of the plug so it wont be so sharp, still it took me probably 30 minutes to get it through:

once I had it pushed through I was finally able to finish up the trunk:

then I went a long the right side top liner, always made sure I am away from the airbag, I used adhesive clips. they came with the kit:

I had a major issue with the pillar above the passenger belt, I still could not get it to clip in. I believe I need new clips? It looks all alright, it just does not snap in. I took the hole cover off, as I thought something was wrong, but it seems just like the clip is all worn out.
I should have listened to you and just fish it through with the wire. It was just too easy to pull off the cover. I did not make pictures of the damaged clip.

on the front shield I just pushed it above the ceiling liner. and zip tied it to the harness at the mirror:

I went to Fuse 4, thanks for the tip. The adaptor came with the kit

and I used the same hole as you used to get a ground. I took the glove compartment out to get to the rear side of the screw.

Here a picture of the two clips which need to be removed to get to the fuse box:

then the fuse box cover can be removed


Thank you again for all the help! The post gave me confidence

 

[MachDoc]

Here is a pic of my radar detector to show how I angle it to get decent but not perfect reception.

 

[krazieboy]

What is your voltage cutoff set to?

 

[MachDoc]

What is your voltage cutoff set to?

Since I have an 85KW "backup battery", I don't set a cutoff voltage.

 

[krazieboy]

oh.. i was under the impression that most internal stuff was powered by the 12v battery.

 

[MachDoc]

oh.. i was under the impression that most internal stuff was powered by the 12v battery.

Yes,, but it is charged by the MASSIVE 85kw battery that moves the car.

 

[krazieboy]

ah ic. i was under the impression that it wont charged the battery when car is on. Sorry, pretty new to ev tech.

 

[Benjamin Kegele]

1. I am sure that my wires are lateral to any important structures as they are literally just under the headliner.

2. My Uniden R3 works well but not like it did in a "normal" car. The trick is to get the sensor up high behind the "mesh" area up top.. It is not parallel to the ground but still gives ample warning time. Saved my ass just earlier today.

3. My next step to get it even higher behind the mesh will be to mount it from underneath the detector. Possibly with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/LycoGear-Det...ywords=uniden+r3+mount&qid=1622509240&sr=8-15

So since I have the dash cam installed, the FOB does not work properly and the tire monitoring system is acting up.

both of the fuse sets you highlighted have a permanent power supply for me. Do you know how I find a switched power and how the dash cam could interfere with all the other stuff?

 

[MachDoc]

So since I have the dash cam installed, the FOB does not work properly and the tire monitoring system is acting up.

both of the fuse sets you highlighted have a permanent power supply for me. Do you know how I find a switched power and how the dash cam could interfere with all the other stuff?

You will have to experiment in your fuse box to find a switched one. I have no issues with my car's other systems.

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