Hidden Dash Cam Install in Mirror Trim

[Rick8325]

This may not work if you have a different rear view mirror or have different options. I noticed a factory cut out on my mirror trim. Took apart the trim and because I don’t have certain options and sensors on my Bighorn I was able to put my dash cam up there with all the spare room. Weird because I have a rain sensor but no rain sensing wiper option in the settings. I hardwired the camera using another thread on this forum that uses the fuse box under the steering column (fuse 66) for switched power (only when truck is on). Extremely easy to wire and hide the wires. l tucked them through the headliner and A pillar. I’m sure there are other smaller cameras that would fit but I already had this one which normally installs using 3M automotive tape to the windshield. I will try and upload a vid of driving footage. The black dots on the windshield are visible but I think it will help with sun glare and doesn’t really get in the way of what needs to be recorded. The camera has WiFi and can download pics and vids directly to my phone and I can format the sd card from the app so I never really have to have access to the camera. Attached are pics.

Camera: https://www.amazon.com/ddpai-Aperture-Reversible-Dashboard-Snapshot/dp/B071HWSNX6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1WBMIPLBNBY28&keywords=ddpai+mini&qid=1555016327&s=gateway&sprefix=ddpai&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&th=1

 

[Rick8325]

Here’s driving footage. I may click the lens down one to get rid of the dots but all I’d gain is more hood. The camera has audio and gets muffled some by the trim covering but the audio wasn’t that good to begin with. Plus my window was down.

 

[SacRebel]

Great job Rick! I think there will be a lot of people that will follow your lead.

 

[ZombieSlayer]

Wow! I never thought to look at my mirror trim to see if there was room. I think I'll stick to my first plan of installing motorcycle cameras, one hidden in the grill and one near the rear plate. However if that doesn't work out I'll go that route for the front

 

[Patsy1099]

Does it overheat being covered like that? What about getting the memory card out to view footage?

 

[Rick8325]

Does it overheat being covered like that? What about getting the memory card out to view footage?

It never really got hot during regular use. Plus it spends most winters getting hot defroster air on it. It's not completely covered. It can still vent out the cutout and other spots on the trim. As far as the memory card...it's wifi so I can obtain footage right from my phone through the camera's app. I can also format the card through the app. If I wanted to install a bigger card I would just easily pop the mirror trim back off but for my 32gb card I believe it's good for recording in 1080 for 6 hours before loop recording.

 

[securityguy]

Very clever but I would not recommend. The field of view is impacted by this type of installation and it should be mounted to the glass directly behind the rear view mirror as it was designed. Kudos for your creativity though

 

[RamBigHorn]

Great Job

 

[Shadowmike94]

how did you take off the mirror trim piece? My piece in my truck became loose while running cables for my dash camera and i can't figure out how to take it off and get behind it. I am afraid i am going to break something trying to remove the panel.

 

[Rick8325]

how did you take off the mirror trim piece? My piece in my truck became loose while running cables for my dash camera and i can't figure out how to take it off and get behind it. I am afraid i am going to break something trying to remove the panel.

I took the top piece that is closest to the headliner off first. It just connects to the bottom trim by 2 nubs which you just pinch at the bottom. The other trim piece on the bottom connects to the actual mirror by pushing plastic grooves onto the metal mirror. Kind of hard to explain everything.

 

[ClancyO]

ght to look at my mirror trim to see if there was room. I think I'll stick to my first plan of installing motorcycle cameras, one hidden in the grill and one near the rear plate. However if that doesn't work out I'll go that ro

What system are you looking at? I've had the same thought - I'm all for having a dash cam, but I want it HIDDEN and while looking at the options for my bike, it occurred to me that they would work with the truck too and be easier to hide!

 

[securityguy]

I highly recommend Blackvue. BlackVue and Thinkware are the two best units on the market. I have the DR750S. www.thedashcamstore.com

 

[Briann1282]

Nice! I like that, great idea!

 

[Mark5000]

I highly recommend Blackvue. BlackVue and Thinkware are the two best units on the market. I have the DR750S. www.thedashcamstore.com

For people that don't want to spend $400 on a dash cam, the $70 DDPai Mini2 Wi-Fi Dash Cam 1440P 2K Car Camera, Built-in Supercapacitor, G-Sensor, Snapshot Button, Night Vision, WDR, 140° Wide Angle, Loop Recording, Parking Monitor is a great alternative.

 

[securityguy]

I paid $269 for my DR750S and worth every penny. A great alternative is the DR590W at $159. You can always find cheaper but you do get what you pay for

 

[ZombieSlayer]

What system are you looking at? I've had the same thought - I'm all for having a dash cam, but I want it HIDDEN and while looking at the options for my bike, it occurred to me that they would work with the truck too and be easier to hide!

The Motocam M2F https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-170°Updated-1920P1080P-Contorller-Waterproof/dp/B07Q64QQZC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=motocam&qid=1555464655&s=electronics&sr=1-5-catcorr

Or the INNOVV K2 https://www.amazon.com/INNOVV-Chann...ywords=k2&qid=1555464781&s=electronics&sr=1-1

Funding is the big hold up here, too many other things to pay for

 

[ClancyO]

...Funding is the big hold up here, too many other things to pay for

I hear you! Both of those are on my short-list, and I need 2 because I'm definitely putting on on the bike first!