Dash cam install with A-pillar curtain airbags

I got my 2021 CrewMax SR5 about 6 weeks ago. Previously, I had a 2008 Nissan Titan. When I cleaned out the Titan for my trade in, I uninstalled a few things in its interior to keep. One of them was a dash cam, a Rexing V1 cam. In my Titan, I just plugged it into the cigarette lighter, routed the wire under the passenger side glove box, tucked it into the A-pillar and under the headliner. I used a couple of zip ties along the way. Took 10 minutes to install.

On my Tundra, I’ve been hesitant to do the same as the A-pillar has these curtain airbags. Any advice? If it’s safe to tuck into the A pillar, which side-windshield of passenger window side? Do
I have to remove anything or just lessen stuff for access? Should I disconnect the car battery befor installing?

Any advice would be appreciated. Not looking to hard wire this into the truck, just install it safely.

 

Would something like this work for you instead? Plugs right into the mirror.

$37 Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter (12-pin Type A) - Compatible w Toyota Tacoma (15-23), select Highlander, Tundra, Sienna; Honda Ridgeline & more. USB Power, Connects to Rearview Mirror. Easy Install!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DMW3DML?ie=UTF8


EDIT: just noticed it's "not available". They do come up available, just have to keep an eye on it.

 

There's plenty of room in the a pillar to route the cable through. Just dont put it directly in front of the airbag.
It's super easy to remove, one 10mm (I believe) behind the indented oval towards the top and a few clips.

Alternatively, you can remove the sunglasses holder thing in the headliner and tap into the 12v up there.

Or, you could grab 12v from the mirror (that's what I did for my radar detector)

 

This is definitely the way to go. Worked great for my setup!

 

Dyeing for these to come available again just to save some time and hassle. Can't find any other suppliers online that build/sell them for a Tundra.

 

Mine has since acted up on me. The USB plug to the camera is now positional and will not maintain charging the camera while driving. Not happy. Debating whether to buy another one or hard wire the camera? Currently I have it plugged into a USB port that is installed in the Rago dash plate. Only issue is the wire running from the cam down to the plug. Hardly notice it until I do if that makes any sense. Dang OCD

 

I hear ya on OCD with the exposed cable....I just can't have that or I would go insane. You're making a good case for me to just hardwire it and be done.

 

Yeah maybe I got a bad one as I have not heard of anyone here having any issues like I'm having.

 

No issues with mine. Ordered from their site with the Garmin mini

 

Mine is down the passenger side. Plenty of room to keep it away from the airbag and the yellow wire. IIRC, there's a harness that mine is zip tied too.

 

This wont drain the battery?

 

Only works when the ignition is on.

 

And will this device enable parking mode? I know most cameras will not have parking mode unless hard wired

 

There’s plenty of space to tuck another wire in the clips that hold the existing harness above the side curtain airbag.

 

Open it up. You’ll see there’s plenty of room to run the cable. Don’t waste your money on an adapter.

 

If you want it on all the time I’d run it down the driver side since it’s a shorter and easier run to the fuse box

 

As another option, a wire tap to the back of the rear view mirror works well. I did that with my Escort 9500ix radar detector AND Mobius dash cam. I used a 12v to 5v step down for the Mobius.

Remember to double check voltage of any device you want to power. The rear view mirror is 12v. If you piggyback devices you’ll probably need a RF deflector between the devices.

 

Nah, has to be hard wired for parking mode