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Mike1236

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello everyone,

I'm going to purchase a dashcam soon for my 2020 RAV4 Limited Hybrid. I've seen people route the USB cable horizontally of the airbag in the A Pillar. I want to avoid this. Does anyone know if it's easy to remove the A Pillar cover? I would like to route the wire behind the airbag just in case if the airbags do deploy.

Thanks
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
somms said:
www.rav4world.com

Dash Cams

Anyone add a dash cam to your RAV4 yet. If so, which one did you get?
www.rav4world.com www.rav4world.com

Yeah, I avoided the usb cable routing issue just by wiring straight to the 12VDC avail in the dome light circuit for my dashcam...
Click to expand...
Ah that is a cool way to hardwire it. I don't want to hardwire mine. I just want to avoid breaking any plastic clips behind the A Pillar.
 
#5 ·
Ghosterror said:
if you tab the power from in the dome light circuit, does it not cut off after a certain time ? I thought if you switch the console light on, it will shut off after 15min to prevent draining your battery.
Click to expand...
The dome light cutoff is 20min after shutting the vehicle off and exiting on my 2019 RAV4. It will be constantly powered as long as the vehicle is turned on. Another benefit to powering via dome light circuit is that my dashcam powers on and begins recording as I approach my RAV4 since the vehicle detects the keyfob in my pocket!(y)
 
#6 ·
somms said:
The dome light cutoff is 20min after shutting the vehicle off and exiting on my 2019 RAV4. It will be constantly powered as long as the vehicle is turned on. Another benefit to powering via dome light circuit is that my dashcam powers on and begins recording as I approach my RAV4 since the vehicle detects the keyfob in my pocket!(y)
Click to expand...
Nice idea to start recording when you approach your RAV4. To bad it shutting off after 20min, so to use it as a 'security cam' while your car is parked won't work :-(. That's a function of the dashcam I would like to use.
 
#7 ·
Cross posting here, sorry if that's incorrect.

Tacking on to this with a related question. I installed a 2 channel dash cam a few weeks ago, running the power supply from the dash, across the drivers side headliner, tucked into the where the A pillar and headliner meet, then down the weather stripping to the fuse box. For the rear camera, it was mostly the same, along the headliner, tucked in between the horizontal meeting of the A pillar and headliner, then along the headliner all the way back, dipping into the rear seat pillar as necessary.

I figured with how airbags deploy, keeping the cables close to the headliner but tucked under the A pillar plastic, all would be good and safe. Now I am having a crisis of confidence. Anyone have any thoughts or did I screw up?
 
#8 ·
When I routed my cable, I ran it across the front of the windshield (under the liner), and when I got to the pillar, I shoved the cable in maybe 1/2" down in the top joint, across to the rubber strip. The rest of the way down the pillar was under the rubber strip. I could be wrong, but I don't see how being just 1/2" down in that pillar could interfere with the airbag in the pillar.
 
#9 ·
You don't want to be doing that since the side air bags runs along the the a pillar and up the side of the headliner as well. I realize this is an old post but since I'm installing mine today and it's a PITA, just making a comment for any future readers.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
If you pry the part where the a pillar meets the headliner out just a little bit, you'll be able to slide the USB cable behind the airbag without any issue. The problem is that you need to somehow straighten the USB cable so it can move smoothly behind the airbag. After you put the USB cable behind the airbag, you can route and hide the cable behind the rubber seals. You can remove the rubber seal (it's easy to put back in) and line the cable in that way. There is a hole that is exposed when you remove the rubber seal and if you stick the USB cable through there, it should go somewhere into the area behind the glove box. There is a little hole underneath the temperature/fan speed controls. You can get the USB through there and plug into a cigarette USB power, that way you don't lose the Apple Carplay or Android Auto.
 
#14 ·
lockmeout said:
A pillar removal @ 5:27
Click to expand...
Thanks! this is super helpful. Since I'm trying to hardwire the front cam and run a wire to the back camera, I figured it would be easiest to just remove the A-pillar to get behind it. Not sure if I have to disconnect the battery though. Since I have the Prime, not sure if there's any difference in disconnecting the battery/batteries?
 
#15 ·
I am looking to install Viofo A139 2 CH dashcam, hardwired. Regarding the location, wanted to check if its ok to install the dashcam on the dotted area next to rear view mirror, on the passenger side. I think its called frit. If I have to remove the dashcam later, will it tear or pull the dots?

Also, is anyone using Viofo A139 2 CH or 3 Ch dashcam? How is it?

Thanks
 
#16 ·
r4pmpm said:
I am looking to install Viofo A139 2 CH dashcam, hardwired. Regarding the location, wanted to check if its ok to install the dashcam on the dotted area next to rear view mirror, on the passenger side. I think its called frit. If I have to remove the dashcam later, will it tear or pull the dots?

Also, is anyone using Viofo A139 2 CH or 3 Ch dashcam? How is it?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I installed the 2 ch version. It has been working fine for almost a year now. I put it on the dots as you mentioned but I have no plan to ever remove it.
 
#17 ·
somms said:
www.rav4world.com

Dash Cams

Anyone add a dash cam to your RAV4 yet. If so, which one did you get?
www.rav4world.com www.rav4world.com

Yeah, I avoided the usb cable routing issue just by wiring straight to the 12VDC avail in the dome light circuit for my dashcam...
Click to expand...
Did you use a viper pin into the back of the connector or do a solder splice or...? Do you remember what color wires?
 
#18 ·
Fleegull said:
I installed the 2 ch version. It has been working fine for almost a year now. I put it on the dots as you mentioned but I have no plan to ever remove it.
Click to expand...
Even I am not planning to remove it, but for any reason if I have to, as this is the first time I will be using the dashcam, I thought dotted sheet might come off when we pull the dashcam mount. I am not sure those dots are on the glass or between two layers of glass. If its build between two glass layers, I think it should be fine.

Thanks
 
#20 ·
r4pmpm said:
I am looking to install Viofo A139 2 CH dashcam, hardwired. Regarding the location, wanted to check if its ok to install the dashcam on the dotted area next to rear view mirror, on the passenger side. I think its called frit. If I have to remove the dashcam later, will it tear or pull the dots?

Also, is anyone using Viofo A139 2 CH or 3 Ch dashcam? How is it?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I just installed this. Photo from the outside.
Image
 
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