Wolfbox install - Windshield mount, hardwire and external camera

[2wheeltraveler]

I was specific in the title because I struggled to find information on Wolfbox installs that did all 3 items Vs Dongar adapters, over mirror mounting, and cameras mounted inside windows on a ‘22 lightning.

I really wish I had taken progress pics but I was short on time. Regardless, I want to share the overall install experience and review of the product so far.

Install time

• 3 hours, taking my time

Install details

• Hardwired to internal passenger side fuse 37 (switched) and 27 (always hot) thanks to @GDN’s research
• Ran rear camera wires under the bottom door trim instead of the headliner to prevent it from falling out and due to limited room with airbags and moonroof. Ran up under rear seat passenger trim up j to headliner and out the 3rd brake light.
• Ran rear camera out of the rear brake light and mounted under, attached to the glass with included VHB tape. I used a Dremel with smallest sanding wheel to make an outlet for the wire to under the brake light, leaving the foam seal intact. It’s on the bottom so I’m not too concerned about water ingress.
• Installed GPS receiver on dash in front of windshield. It’s not big enough to notice / care.

Observations from a week of use

• Wires need to go out the back instead of the top to reduce visual clutter
• You need to be able to turn off MPH but leave compass (I turned it off but both remain)
• Needs exposure and brightness controls for each camera.
• Brightness need to go lower than the lowest setting at night is still distracting
• Needs to be able to connect to car and/or home WiFi To simplify pulling content from SD cards
• Needs auto brightness
• Quick turning off /disabling is a great feature, but when off, it’s not nearly as useful as the old mirror visibility wise.
• Fill up to turn off / on would be ideal
• Boot up delay is too long
• Limited unattended options for recording (car break in and timelapse). Would like to see more variants and options.

Now that those are out of the way, these are the pros

• Simple install
• Great screen and data
• Easy/intuitive menu system
• Perfect size

Would I buy it again?

• Without a doubt, yes!

Will my wife let me install it in her car?

• Not until auto dimming is avail as night driving she cited it was far too distracting even at lowest manual brightness.

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[Mike G]

I have the 900 on my old Expedition primarily because it originally came without any backup camera or bumper sensors. The front and rear dashcam recording has come in handy.

What I don't like about this thing as a 'mirror' is the fact that as you've said it's still waaay too bright at night even at the lowest brightness setting. I actually reach up and turn the screen off at night. I assume it's still recording but I don't know that for sure (I didn't think about that actually, maybe it turns the whole thing off if I do that? Dunno).

The other thing I don't like about the Wolfbox (900, other versions may not be like this) is the wide almost panoramic view lets you see like so much from side to side that cars behind you look like they're a lot farther back than they actually are. Meaning, if I check my door mirrors and see a vehicle coming up behind me at say 100 yards I can probably make out what the brand or make of the vehicle is...but if I look up and check the Wolfbox screen that same vehicle looks a lot farther away and I can't make out what it is...just some vehicle. I wish the screen itself had a 'zoom' feature that was separate from the recording resolution setting so that you could kindof match the size of the view you see in the driver's door mirror with the Wolfbox's rear view.

 

[2wheeltraveler]

I have the 900 on my old Expedition primarily because it originally came without any backup camera or bumper sensors. The front and rear dashcam recording has come in handy.

What I don't like about this thing as a 'mirror' is the fact that as you've said it's still waaay too bright at night even at the lowest brightness setting. I actually reach up and turn the screen off at night. I assume it's still recording but I don't know that for sure (I didn't think about that actually, maybe it turns the whole thing off if I do that? Dunno).

The other thing I don't like about the Wolfbox (900, other versions may not be like this) is the wide almost panoramic view lets you see like so much from side to side that cars behind you look like they're a lot farther back than they actually are. Meaning, if I check my door mirrors and see a vehicle coming up behind me at say 100 yards I can probably make out what the brand or make of the vehicle is...but if I look up and check the Wolfbox screen that same vehicle looks a lot farther away and I can't make out what it is...just some vehicle. I wish the screen itself had a 'zoom' feature that was separate from the recording resolution setting so that you could kindof match the size of the view you see in the driver's door mirror with the Wolfbox's rear view.

Thank you for sharing that distance item as it was on my list too and I failed to call it out here. Exact same observation for me, on multiple occasions I've felt the "disorientation" created by having different views showing cars in seemingly different positions.

I also saw something new last night, in the rear-view in the evening it was showing white lines at the top of some buildings and around some cars, almost like a neon white outline. The same didn't exist in my sideview mirrors. Not major, but interesting observation.

Bumping the resolution of the rear camera and somehow smoothing the video so it feels more cinematic / natural would also improve the experience.

A handful of tasteful tweaks to the HW/SW would change my recommendation to others from "a good addition if you really want/need it" to "everyone should consider buying it"

 

[Mike G]

Thank you for sharing that distance item as it was on my list too and I failed to call it out here. Exact same observation for me, on multiple occasions I've felt the "disorientation" created by having different views showing cars in seemingly different positions.

I also saw something new last night, in the rear-view in the evening it was showing white lines at the top of some buildings and around some cars, almost like a neon white outline. The same didn't exist in my sideview mirrors. Not major, but interesting observation.

Bumping the resolution of the rear camera and somehow smoothing the video so it feels more cinematic / natural would also improve the experience.

A handful of tasteful tweaks to the HW/SW would change my recommendation to others from "a good addition if you really want/need it" to "everyone should consider buying it"

Well the Wolfbox mirror problem finally pushed me over the edge yesterday....just couldn't handle it anymore (that's my story and I'm sticking to it), I traded the Expedition in on a '24 Bronco Heritage 2Dr yesterday morning.

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