Install BlackVue DR650GW-2CH rear camera in 2015 Toyota 4Runner (Part numbers in description)

[@cooler2000]

Woah!! I never installed my rear dash cam because of this exact reason due to the rear window going up and down. So I just KZbind " rear dash cam on 4Runner" and came across your video. Awesome thinking!! Gonna go install mine now!

[@rakeshsinghal9920]

Just want to say thank you to this video! You sir help the world go around. I was struggling to find a solution for the rear camera on my 4Runner but came across this video. I basically followed 95% of this and now I have a very well secured camera. I felt so accomplished you have no idea. Also just the fact you can mount things in the rear line this opens up my creative side to see what else I can do! Thank you for your ingenuity.

[@HuskyMike]

8 years later and wanted to write and say thanks for this video. I used your idea (although I didn't bend the metal I used). Worked great.

[@bikeski1956]

Oh, perfect! Like others, I was trying to figure out a way to mount a rear dash cam as the majority of incidents are related to being rear ended. I'm going to buy the dash cam I've been wanting to get without knowing how to install the rear camera now! Very many thanks!!

[@renatobautista563]

My son just installed a rear dash cam on my 4runner and was not satisfied with the way it was mounted. This is really great. Thanks for this video.

[@afsh221PaChenTaijiquan]

Awesome, thanks for the hack. I've got a 2021 4runner and its still the exact same liner setup.

[@mattb9664]

Worked great for mine! Drooped my camera another 1/2 inch down and it came out great. Opened the hole up with a 3/16" bit then a 1/4" bit, and used a spare machine screw, which cut threads, to hold the aluminum bracket.

[@RECURSIVE_MATRIX_LOGIC]

Good job mounting the rear camera like this. In my Toyota Avensis station I was running the line all the way through the hose which feeds the rear window washer hose to mount it in the rear window. The downside is, once the rear hatch is open, I get some footage of the sky above.

[@poweredbyalpaca6362]

Inspired by your video I did a similar setup but also a little different. I ran an 1/8" thick by 1" wide strip of aluminum across all three fastener holes on the headliner. I drilled 3/16 holes in the aluminum bar where the fastener holes on the headliner matched up. I then reinstalled the original fasteners with the new aluminum bar. I used VHB tape to mount the camera to the bar and that was that. The factory fasteners are a little short but it seems to be holding. I drove for 6 hours today with no issue.

[@blackboxmycar]

Thank you for sharing this video with us :) We will be sharing this video on our website as well!

[@cmo131]

So glad I found this! Thank you, just got a dash cam and racking my brain how to mount the rear. I had the same idea but didn’t know how to proceed.

[@Ken327]

Awesome solution. Technically this would work for all vehicles that have this type of style trunk. Trucks, SUV's and Vans

[@riconaka]

This is an amazing hack! Great job!!! Thank you for posting this!

[@iBeCruisinToyotaFJ]

Thank you so much for this video! This is exactly what I have been looking for :)

[@campyhamper4175]

Good job! Thanks😀

[@Lost1st]

Dang thanks for this I have cameras and didn’t even think of this position on my 4Runner I was racking my brain trying to figure this out who would of known

[@ray.romero]

get neodymium magnets, put one under the headliner and the other on the bracket.

[@rodneyh7693]

Can also use double sided velcro maybe? Stick the velcro to roof and that angled piece instead of screws?

[@midwestdashcam8841]

Very cleaver rear channel camera mounting. I use this camera it is super easy to install.

[@MicheIIePucca]

Love innovation... good job!

[@revatha1]

You have one a great job. I am fixing to install 2 ch cam in my 5th gen 4runner but I am bit baffled with witch fuses to use in drivers side fuse box. Can you let me know witch 2 fuses you used. (Battery & Acc) Thank-you

[@integralcam]

Awesome work that is a clever solution.

[@drbarchitect]

Nice. I have a 2016 and was wondering what others have done about the back window being off-limits because it articulates up and down.

[@adrianfromthecastle]

would you be able to share how/where you ran the cable from the back to the front?

[@kimjinouk]

Adrian del Castillo did you figure out how to run the cable to the. Back camera? I’m about to install mine this weekend

[@Leftism11]

I believe ran the cable up the side of the dash, up the A-pillar behind some plastic or rubber gasket, then along the corner edge of the roof liner all the way to the back. It was surprisingly easy if I recall, and I didn't have any issues.

[@KeokiDude]

Nice job, homie.

[@l03w3]

how deep does the screw go inside?

[@PhoenixTacSolutions]

Well done! Nice car!

[@JeffRPCV]

Nice install, what about the power hookup? Where did you hook up and which add-a-circuits did you use? Did you measure how long you cut the aluminum stock?Thanks

[@Leftism11]

+JeffRPCV I purchased some "add a fuse" connectors off Amazon. These "E support" brand were the best price I could find and had good reviews. Worked fine for me. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SUX9V4K The only downside to the add-a-fuse on the new 4Runner is that it prevents you from putting the fuse block cover back on under the dash. Not a huge deal, but... I just took a rough measurement of the location and where the camera would mount and then used a hack saw and a file to clean up the rough edges. It doesn't have to be too precise. I think I cut one piece and it wasn't quite right, so I cut a second piece that worked well. If you do go with the 2 channel BlackVue, I would not hard wire it to the battery, even with the Power Magic style voltage drop detectors/limiters. I would only use an accessory power lead that gets turned off when the car is off. IMHO, the BlackVue draws too much power and you'll be asking for trouble if you let it draw directly from the battery. I got the Cellink B auxiliary battery for the BlackVue, and even it gets drained in 2 days since I only drive about 30-60 minutes a day.

[@bujarshahini1773]

Good job good job safety is more important

[@srudy5442]

Do you ever find that the rear camera gets in the way when you're loading things into the back of your 4runner?

[@Leftism11]

It doesn't really get in the way, but when filling up the back with camping gear, I do tend to bump it and it ends up pointing a bit to one side. But that is only a few times a year--it hasn't been an issue or an inconvenience at all for me.

[@LocsPapi8910]

Is the image from the rear centered or of by a little?

[@Leftism11]

The BlackVue rear camera is has quite a wide angle, so you can't tell that the lens isn't perfectly centered. It works quite well.

[@eSaraify]

I can not remove the tack on the roof, did you have to break it off? im afraid to do that and then not working out and having it opened and empty

[@Leftism11]

The round plastic clips can be pulled out without breaking them. Search KZbin for "DIY Car Fastener Clip Removal Tool" on "AFire Media" channel. He shows how to use a fork to gently remove them. You can also buy replacement clips for a few dollars.

[@eSaraify]

Excellent thank you so much!

[@louman2361]

This is a Japanese car that uses metric measurements. I wonder if u can use a tap on that hole and use a bolt or screw so it would look more oem ish. Non the less good stuff and thats for the video

[@DannyBrandt]

Good video, I'm bookmarking this. blackboxmycar linked your video to me. I got this camera today and I didn't think about having a rear door that opens in my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'll have to see if I have the same type setup in my Jeep to recreate this.

[@InteractiveMail]

Any idea for the 4th gen? There is a trunk dome light where your camera is on the 5th gen. :(

[@MegaDogsBreakfast]

This is great! Thank you so much for posting this and being so thorough. One follow-up question, did you have to remove the headliner at all to run the cable from the front -> rear camera? Or can you pull the headliner back a bit and stuff the cable along the edge? I'm debating about getting a rear camera but messing up my headliner is a little worrying.

[@Leftism11]

The rear camera cable easily tucks into the edge of the headliner using plastic "trim panel tools". There shouldn't be any risk of damage to the headliner. Around the doors, the wire can be tucked on the inside of the rubber door strip along the top of the door opening. Just take your time and it's a simple process.

[@jeffreyworthington6484]

Good solution and good video. I did something similar. My only problem is in the winter, it is not low enough to see through the wiper blade area and with a little snow or dirt can’t see through the window. Is your BlackVue still working?

[@Leftism11]

Yes, my BlackVue is still working fine as of April 2021. I have replaced the MicroSD card a few times--once to upgrade capacity, and another time after receiving error messages from the camera. But it still works fine.

[@eagl0215]

How do you like the camera so far.?? May I ask if you had consider others such as the Thinkware....

[@Leftism11]

+Edwin A. Gavidia I rarely "use" the camera to review or download videos from it, but it seems to work well and works reliably. I've had zero problems with it, so I'm happy with it so far. From what I can tell, it's a very high quality commercial-grade camera. I looked at a few other models sold by BlackBoxMyCar (the only place I shopped at), but a the time, this model seemed the most discrete and had the features I wanted. The few time I have reviewed the video to look at a clip, it's been easy to find the clip and review it.

[@asilron]

Great mod. I have a 2015 Tundra that the rear window rolls completely down as well. I will use your video as a reference. A couple of questions How do you like the camera system so far? Pros/Cons. Have you found that you need the the polarizing filter mod for the front camera?

[@johnfurious8419]

Great install

[@adalex87]

What kind of metal did you get? And what kind of screw did you use? My wife has a 2021 and not sure how to mount a rear cam

[@Leftism11]

The flat metal is 1-1/2" aluminum 'flat bar' available at Home Depot. (Everbilt 1-1/2 in. x 36 in. Aluminum Flat Bar with 1/8 in. Thick, Model #801967 Store SKU #482776) The screw is a 1/4-20 screw, similar to Home Depot Model 814481 / SKU 493329 (Everbilt 1/4 in - 20 x 3/4 round head machine screw)

[@timbui5556]

Genius!

[@candicethomas185]

This is exactly what I was looking for I have a 18 4runner and wasn't sure how I was going to install the back camera. Was the rest of the installation pretty easy going threw the trim?

[@Leftism11]

Yes, running the wire was very simple--just tuck the wire along the edge of the A-pillar and plastic along the edge of the roof liner. No force or tricks required.

[@kimjinouk]

I just purchased the DR900 and was wondering if you could share how you ran the cable to the back. Did you just tuck it along I got he roof liner along the side? Any tips would be helpful. Thanks!

[@Leftism11]

Yes, I ran the wire up one of the pillars, tucking it under an edge, and then ran it along the roof liner (which was incredibly easy) all the way to the back roof area. The install was easier than I expected.

[@kimjinouk]

Hey thanks for your response! I ended up doing. The install yesterday and was super easy. Did the exact way you mentioned

[@speedtomas]

Is it possible to rotate the rear camera to record the interior of the vehicle?

[@Leftism11]

+Karakuraizer That's a really interesting idea, I hadn't thought of that. Yes, you can mount the rear camera in the back, pointing forward, to view the inside of the car from the rear. Or you could mount it in the front inside of the car, like on the windshield, and have it point to the back of the car to record from the front.

[@AzNightmare]

*yes, you can, except the rear camera records in a fixed orientation. So you can't simply just rotate the lens to toggle between inside (facing forward) or outside (facing rearward). Otherwise everything will record upside down. You'll have to decide which way you want the rear channel to record before you stick/mount it on. Taxi drivers sometimes mount the rear camera facing forward to record passengers inside the car for safety/liability issues.*

[@speedtomas]

AzNightmare yes, this is completely true. I bought it and I installed it facing inside. But sometimes I turn it to the rear window but still you can flip the image in the program for your computer.

[@seanpop2886]

Was that a 6-meter or 8-meter cable? While encouraged to further pursue my initial idea on an installation for my 4Runner, I've got to ask the question... How many gashed foreheads has there been? Anything sticking into a passenger-possible compartment can always create a risk. Even if you don't have kids, crawling in to pull out the booty from a Home Depot run could put one in harm's way. Also, does the third brake light show up, especially at night time? In some ways, I see that as a positive if somebody rear ends you and the light is visible there's no way they could say that your brake lights weren't working. I have installed four front and rear dash cam systems, caught three accidents on video amongst family members as well as numerous other issues. Insurance companies love it and, in one case was a comfort to know my kid was actually paying attention while driving.

[@mightydeathlash2867]

I'm confused 🥺 Did you use a screw that is 3/16" in diameter or a 1/4" in diameter screw? Plz help.

[@Leftism11]

Sorry for the confusion. I used a 1/4-20 screw. See part numbers in the video description

[@mightydeathlash2867]

@@Leftism11 thank you 👍

[@zxvwt]

How did you remove the back tabs on the back roof liner?

[@Leftism11]

I only needed to remove one. I just gently pried it down and pulled it out. It's just a plastic clip. www.clipsandfasteners.com/Toyota_Headliner_Retainers_90467_05164_E2_p/a21332.htm

[@zxvwt]

Thank you very much, I am actually trying to figure out a way to feed the coax cable through the third brake light rubber grommet on left side.

[@Leftism11]

Ah, got it. I mounted my rear camera inside the car on the ceiling / roof liner. So I didn't have to run the wire through any of the grommets or body work, or mount it to the tailgate.

[@petahe01]

If I mount the camera on a rear window with tint,and I decide to remove it someday...will it damage the tint?

[@caseyjames5412]

Yes. It will pull the tint off if it is applied directly to the tint film itself.

[@petahe01]

I learned if I use tooth floss and use it to cut through adhesive it leaves a slight bubble under the tint. I think the weight of the dashcam causes it. no other damage is visible. There’s also a product “De-Solv-it icky sticky stuff” works well removing any adhesive residue. I don’t think the label mentions it. But it works great on car paint. I used it to remove duct tape residue on a car 2 years ago. the paint is still shiny today.

[@speedtomas]

I have another question I bought the DR650GW-2CH and I was wondering if you can actually use a SDXC type memory card? Or is it only for SDHC cards?

[@Leftism11]

+Karakuraizer I'm currently using the SanDisk Ultra 128GB UHS-I/Class 10 Micro SDXC card. It works fine. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M562LF4

[@andyguo6700]

Could u make me a piece and ship it to me I will pay

[@RECURSIVE_MATRIX_LOGIC]

BlackVue just published a firmware update connecting the DR650GW series to the cloud. From a more practical point of view, I am excited that my proposal to replace the microphone toggle on/off with triggering manual recording has been considered as worth implementing. This new function enables recording of events and incidents not covered by accelerometers and motion sensor with just a gesture. Download firmware v2 from this location: www.blackvue.com/support/downloads/ Good job, Pittasoft!

[@Leftism11]

+Ralf Lebrecht Thanks for the note! I didn't even know about the gesture for the microphone until a week ago when I happened to move my finger across the driver's side of the camera. I'll check out the new firmware. I would personally like to be able to easily lock a video while driving so that it gets stored without being overwritten. I often see something of interest and want to save it, but forget by the time I get home that day. The video lock feature seems to be pretty common in the cheap dash cams, so I'm puzzled why it isn't an option in the BlackVue, unless I missed it in the docs.

[@RECURSIVE_MATRIX_LOGIC]

Absolutely. I also missed this functionality enough to suggest implementation. After upgrading your BlackVue's firmware you will be able to conveniently trigger a manual recording. This file, though, is *not* write protected on a file system level (no R attribute), nor is it stored in a separate folder. When the memory is full, it most likely will be overwritten, but I have no proof of behavior yet. Pittasoft names their BlackVue files to refer to camera (channel) and mode: [date]_[time]_[mode][channel].[extension] [mode] N = normal recording P = parking mode recording E = event recording, automatcally triggered by sensors M = event recording, manually triggered by user (supported by firmware v2.x) [channel] F = front (primary) camera R = rear (secondary) camera [channel] variable does not apply to common files, such as GPS information or sensor values. You may filter event recordings conveniently in the BlackVue PC/Mac Viewer as well as in the Android apps disabling normal and parking mode clips by clicking their referring buttons on top of the file list. You may also easily identify modes in the PC/MAC Viewer's time line, since they are color coded. Nowadays microSD cards are quite low-priced. It might come in handy to have a spare one in your car, to replace either in case of an incident to serve as proof, or the memory card currently in use unexpectedly ends its life cycle in the middle of your journey.

[@Leftism11]

+Ralf Lebrecht Thanks Ralf. Yes, I have seen something interesting while driving and wanted to refer back to the video, but by the time I get home I forget to pull off the video and it gets overwritten. I upgraded to a 128GB memory card to try and give myself a few more days in case I remember, and I keep my old 64GB card in my car. Great minds think alike!

[@AzNightmare]

*To be honest, for a dashcam at this price point, I'm rather disappointed in that it doesn't have enough features that should be "common sense". I don't mind the manual recording for files with the new firmware, but I also find it important to have a quick setting to enable/disable audio recording as some of my passengers don't feel comfortable having audio recorded. I wished there were an extra button or so to do this. Because of this, I still choose to use the old firmware as I rather have the audio setting on the proximity sensor over manual recording (which I find less useful for my lifestyle).* *Other features I wished this had was files that would automatically be put in a protected folder should there be an "event" while parked. Or an indicator (light) to alert me that my car had an "event" while I was parked. Hypothetically, if someone dinged my car or even hit it while I was parked and I didn't notice it until a few days later, chances are, the video will be overwritten, as there is no auto protected folder in this dashcam. And without an indicator to alert me upon my return to the car, I wouldn't suspect to do a full walk around my car to look for damages in the first place, until it's too late days later.*

[@phildemfey1355]

awesome. thanks for posting this. looking to doing the same. any of you figured out a way to hook a battery up to your dash cam so it continues to run and not tap the 4 runner battery?

[@Leftism11]

I purchased a Celllink Battery from BlackBoxMyCar, which when new, could run the BlueVue dual channel cameras for about 18 hours when fully charged. Looks like BlackBoxMyCar has a few other battery models now.

[@rengokusats]

Nice mod

[@ScytheNoire]

Just run the wiring through the rubber grommets that all the factory wiring goes through. Lots of videos online on how to do it. Then you can mount it right on the window.

[@Leftism11]

The 4Runner window rolls down fully into the lift gate. The camera should not be mounted on the rear window.