Power from mirror for dash cam or radar detector?

[GDN]

Anyone added a dash cam or radar detector yet? Have you found an aftermarket mirror wire tap harness that will fit the Lightning? I'm hoping the wiring up there is similar to an ICE.

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[merek]

Haven't looked specifically, but is there a reason why you don't want to run all the way to the fusebox?

 

[GDN]

Haven't looked specifically, but is there a reason why you don't want to run all the way to the fusebox?

Not really - just convenience more than likely. I know there is a company called Blend Mount that makes mounting and power convenient. I don't know if there are any negatives to that, but mainly about convenience.

I'm about doing the right thing if fuse box is the best. Looking for what has been done. I also realize this shouldn't be different than the ICE trucks, but until we have a few people dig in I'm not sure how much our wiring will truly be the same or have difference.

 

[merek]

Not really - just convenience more than likely. I know there is a company called Blend Mount that makes mounting and power convenient. I don't know if there are any negatives to that, but mainly about convenience.

I'm about doing the right thing if fuse box is the best. Looking for what has been done. I also realize this shouldn't be different than the ICE trucks, but until we have a few people dig in I'm not sure how much our wiring will truly be the same or have difference.

Typically the right way to do these is to run a wire from the unit to the fuse box, and "add-a-fuse" to tap into the box.

If you tap into a wire, you could open yourself into the wanting to blame any electrical warranty issues on it, as you are basically introducing interference into their system.

I did this in the past on my previous vehicle, but it wasn't a truck. It was pretty easy -- you just tuck it up to the headliner, then take the pillar off (they just pull off), zip tie it down and drop it down to the fuse panel. I would imagine the Lightning should be similar. You do need somewhere to ground it though.

https://www.escortradar.com/products/direct_wire

https://www.autozone.com/electrical...accessories/p/bussmann-atm-fuse-tap/32416_0_0

 

[BzzzzztZapPow]

I ran my dash cam power wiring to the fuse box. It tucks up nicely under the headliner, then the door weather stripping and there is a fuse box behind the passenger kick panel. Ran the rear camera cord along the same route and then along the headliner to the back window on the passenger side. I am not sure that you would see any less exposed wiring if you were to tap into any mirror wiring.

 

[GDN]

I ran my dash cam power wiring to the fuse box. It tucks up nicely under the headliner, then the door weather stripping and there is a fuse box behind the passenger kick panel. Ran the rear camera cord along the same route and then along the headliner to the back window on the passenger side. I am not sure that you would see any less exposed wiring if you were to tap into any mirror wiring.

Would you mind sharing which camera you bought and any feedback. I want good options of course without the $400 price and I want a good view front and back - sides would be nice, but don't know if any aftermarket can capture sides ver well.

 

[BzzzzztZapPow]

I installed a Cobra SC400D (4K) that I picked up from Best Buy. It includes a front and rear camera with GPS built into the mount. I purchased their separate IR camera directly from Cobra for inside the cab that plugs into the side of front camera. I really liked that the front camera had an adjustment to reduce glare from the inside of the windshield.

There are some cheaper models on Amazon, etc., but a little difficult to find the three camera setup with decent quality resolution. I have run one of the cheaper models in my Fusion for a couple of years...you can tell the difference in build and resolution quality.

 

[Beaux]

I moved my v-1 over and mounted to the mirror and used the same mirror tap from my 21 F150. Works perfect. I got it from Amazon originally.

 

[BzzzzztZapPow]

Would you mind sharing which camera you bought and any feedback. I want good options of course without the $400 price and I want a good view front and back - sides would be nice, but don't know if any aftermarket can capture sides ver well.

Here is a pick of my install. Not much exposed wiring and I used the fuse box behind the passenger kick panel for power.

BZP

 

[ericpullen]

These are all great ideas and I will probably do something similar, but it still irks me that they don’t have a way to record the cameras that are already on the truck (Sentry mode).

 

[metroshot]

Funny this is a good post!

I put my Valentine 1 radar detector away after selling my torquey BMW diesel as I didn't need to worry about speeding with my current vehicles (PHEV & 528 BMW).

Now I have to dig it out because the Lightning may turn out to be speed freak.

I used the OBD-II adapter from Valentine to provide power and set the minimum detection speed.

No cutting wires, splicing, etc...

I plan on doing the same with the V1 - run the telco cable up the side of the window moulding.

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