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Hi folks, I just bought a ‘71 coupe, my first Corvette. For some peace of mind and for a discounted insurance rate I am hoping to install front and rear dash cams and was wondering if anyone has done something similar to their C3.
The plan is to run power from the ACC connection in the fuse panel in the driver’s foot well area, run the power cable up inside the A-pillar and behind the trim along the top of the windscreen. A spliced connection will pop out around the rear view mirror, to power the front cam. Then the power cable would then continue to the rear window via the T-top centre pillar and pop out somewhere and power the rear cam.
Has anyone done a similar install and can advise me of any obvious pitfalls with this plan? How easy is it to access the cable routes described? Is it as simple as pulling off the interior trim pieces or (for the rear connection) the chrome T trim piece?
No rear but I have a forward cam in my 72, fairly small and inconspicuous behind the mirror. There is very little room behind the a-pillar and header bar and most of the cables I've seen have the choke cylinder about 4~6 inches from the end so it's hard to hide.
More room under the t top center bar however. Room under windshield header bar cover for a wire. Perhaps running wiring into center bar, do a U turn with it and hide that choke cylinder there. Then last few inches should be plenty to run to cam.
I don't run camera's but have had all these interior panels off. More than once. Your plan sounds good.
I also live in Australia. Insurance on a collector through companies like Shannon's with car on club rego is pretty cheap already.
Thanks for the video and pic, Mooser, that’s pretty much exactly what I’m going for. I didn’t even think about the choke cylinder, but I think 4-vettes’ suggestion would work. I’ll keep you guys posted on how I go
4-vettes, where are you based? I’m in Perth, if you’re nearby hopefully I’ll see you at a club event someday soon
I put a small 12v to USB converter behind the map pocket and ran a USB cable up the passenger side A pillar . the cable is just an Amazon 90 degree end for a Garmin GPS (mini USB ?) . The power comes from the lighter wire in the console with a 5 amp fuse . That way I can use either my GPS or Mini 2 dashcam . 1977 Corvette .
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I have the RedTiger from amazon in my daily...Its really good and clear and has good night vision. The new version has a cabin cam as well. You have to run the power up to the camera which has a GPS head built in, and the rear camera has to be run from the main camera head, so one line to the back. Both are suction cup mount so the rear camera mounts on a rear window.....tuff with a convertible
…then I saw where Mooser had the mount.
INCONCEIVABLE!!!
It - honestly - never occurred to me to mount on a swing-arm setup. It’s GENIUS!
No sarcasm; all seriousness.
Backstory…
I'm a big Kenwood fan - 2 amps, 2 12” subs, 2 6x9”s, 2 6-1/2”s and a double-din HU in my Squarebody GMC Suburban, plus their dash/rear camera kit.
So I’m planning on their equipment for the Vette - already have 6-1/2”s in the front (took some clocking & drilling + speednuts), plans for a HU, and an amp the size of “a pound of butter” on a fab'd bracket behind the map pocket.
Then I looked at Kenwood camera options and thought about where to mount ‘em.
Front: easy: windshield
Rear: ????
They have a motorsports/safe-from-the-elements setup that requires some engineering to get installed. [STZ-RF200WD if you’re curious]
But that will need extension cables, what length?, running through grommets, where to put the ‘main’ unit, where to mount the cameras? Both would be outside the car, and more wiring/cabling to run compared to…
Their DRV-A610WDP - which the new model of the camera I’ve got in my square, and may be my choice after seeing the swing away mount. (I’ll need a new convertible window, tho…)
Thank you for the idea - I’ll put it in my files 😄
now I have to run camera wires.
‘71 dash cam install
