Installed Wolfbox rearview mirror dashcam

Hey Gang,

Did one of my first mods on the truck. I could provide a post video writeup and share those other youtube videos that helped me achieve it.

WTH is a wolfbox?

Think of a rearview mirror that is smart. I installed the camera on top of the integrated 3rd brake light/bed light. (I threw some LEDs there too) We had some gnarly rain last night, and the camera really helped quite a bit. I can see some of the rear of the bed too whilst driving.

Not distracting, and frankly very happy with the product.

May even 3dprint a mount to angle the camera down a bit more.

Thoughts ?

 

Pic would help to get replies.

 

That will warrant enough action for me to get those pix and slap them to the thread.

 

https://wolfbox.com/

 

So here are some pics and a quick write up. More details can be added. On a DIY scale 1 being easy 10 being difficult, I would say this is a 3-4.

Why:
I will be trailering my s2000 to the track and having a bed camera will be nice to have, plus I have the option to extend once I get a bed rack but for now the third brake light is perfect (am thinking to 3dprint a mount for the camera to allow for angle down adjustment but more on that later)

The rearview mirror allows for some vertical pan for the rear camera. I can pan the camera down to see more of what's going on in the bed

Equipment needed:
Wolfbox of your own choosing this is a 850 I got cheap on black friday sale.

If you want to tackle this you should be comfortable with:
- 12v adding a fuse to your fuse box
-- I used ACC and HAZ (as a constant) instructions won't tell you which fuse to "tap" into YMMV.
- Removing 3rd Brake Center Light (I upgraded my bulbs to LED while there cause why not)
- Tucking wire through the headliner
- Trim tool work

Roll down the rear window... cause this will make the install hella easier. Also awesome cuz Tundra

Goal route the camera wire through the head liner, 10mm bolt behind the SRS plastic is your huckleberry remove those and the plastic will peel back rather easily this allows you to then
1. tackle with the removal of the 3rd (center) brake/bed light. You can lean on some youtube videos, 10mil socket and some small amount of cussing to remove the light
2. As you remove the 3rd center brake light mind the center plastic piece that acts as a clip for the light to snap into place. Simply removing the 10mil bolts will not suffice, you will have to bend that clip up.
3. Using trim tools remove the third brake light, there is some significant adhesive so warmer climates may benefit your install time. (no I don't think you need to bust out a heat gun unless your way up north)
- Good amount of cussing to get this free TBH
4. Once that is popped off, I drilled two small holes into the black part of the plastic and even used the 3m tape to center and attach the camera. Its not coming off one bit and I would venture that it would survive multiple car washes if inclined.
5. Tuck wire from back of cab around headliner to the A pillar by driver side.
6. Run power wire from rear view mirror in opposite dir to driver side pillar then down to the fuse box to setup your tap
7. (I will get pics over the weekend of the tap, I am actually going to use proper tap equipment and update it) Here is the

$7 Lumision ADD CIRCUIT BLADE STYLE ATT LOW PROFILE LP MINI FUSETAP FUSE TAP + 5AMP FUSE

model I bought (not necessary but I think this is worthwhile to do in post install) This will provide proper fuse for the OEM requirement, while fusing the additional hardware
8. Run the wires connect it all up, power on test

This unit loop records at either 1min, 2min, 3min intervals. IT WILL NOT JUST RECORD ALL THE THINGS. If you think about it loop recording makes sense here.

See pics for details, I will fully admit the mirror doesn't glare like that, the camera most definitely picked up reflection.

 

Here is a pic of where that clip is, its behind the plastic lens cover. Trim tool is your friend here.

 

You sure are brave to run a wire through the leak-prone 3rd brake light...

Had a friend install one (different brand) and it looked pretty cool but he did say it was labor intensive.

 

I posted this before. Here is my setup again. I only need the camera view when my tonneau is up. So I installed wifi camera on the tonneau facing rear. I wired USB power wire thru floor grommet, under body and in front of the bed with conduit hose. I have been using iPad so camera image is connected/displayed in my iPad.

 

If you haven’t added clear RTV, I’d probably suggest it!

 

Indeed I'll monitor it and if needed reseal. But this far it's holding. If else clear rtv like @pvn.beluga stated.

 

RTV didn't help me. At all.

 

After I installed my evl mfg third brake light, used black RTV, and there has not been any leaks at all.

 

I'm referring to the OEM housing.

 

I'm honestly surprised nobody's made either a new housing or housing cover that would integrate a camera. I think they have some for F150s and Silverados, but alas...none for the Tundra

 

That IS perplexing isn't it? Evil Mfg has one for an antenna but no cam.

 

Mental note made

 

@pvn.beluga cause the black one is stronger... (waits for it)

 

I mean it wasn't like a 12 hour ordeal. Admittedly disconnecting the 3rd brake light was indeed a PITA. Just getting the trim tools in there and making sure I didn't brake all of the plastic was a pain. After that... its just tucking wire in the headliner, running on the driver side and then down through the weather stripping.

This is NOTHING compared to the absolute PITA it was to wire up remote start on my Subaru Bugeye with a friend of mine. Soldering wire upside down in the footwell? No thanks!

 

I take it this soldering job happened before solder sleeves came out?

 

Zero soldering needed. I used add a fuse into the fuse bank. I tapped the constant into the Hazard Lights, and the ACC into the ACC fuse. I can take pics to show if folks are really that nervous its quite easy

Look at my install steps #7,

The benefit of this kit is that you keep your OE fuse but make another "tap" into the circuit with its own fuse. For the wolfbox kit, I didn't even need use the 16-gauge red wire lead for new circuit. See embedded pic.

 

In fact sourced from a different forum https://tnstatic.net/attachments/img_20191222_164326-jpg.370243/ is a pic of a 2020 tundra fuse block the 19 looks a bit diff.

I grabbed the pic and will show which fuse blocks I used. Obviously the fuse cover cannot go back on. I put it into a plastic bag, and threw it into the center console. See additional highlighted blocks. Been running this for several weeks, no problems, no fuse breaks, and I charge my brick phone while using Android Auto.

Admittedly I haven't trailered my other car yet, but I think that is irrelevant given which fuses I am using. Hazard lights work fine too.

The following installation steps are in no way a guarantee that you can't screw up your truck. I figured I'd share my install and experience with wolfbox here.

 

Inuse these at work all the time!.
With a toyota fork lift the cover is still tall enough for it to clip back on.

 

@dan_osms.io I see since your Tundra is always home now your going crazy with updates!! I love it vs all the BS with the other truck I dare not mention.
Very happy for you!

 

Thanks Bud, happy to be here with all the other Tundra brothers. Hell I even get a wave now and then from fellow Tundras. Its either a wave of "Sup!" or a wave of "I feel your pain with the mpgs".

More to come on the build, as this will be hauling the project car soon. Admittedly, I find it hilarious that a Toyota truck will be towing a Honda. I wonder how Sakichi (Toyota) and Soichiro (Honda) would debate this. (thanks @pwpblue long day at the office, you are spot on.)

Really good audiobook I enjoyed on spotify. Give it a listen, the voice acting is not bad.

https://wondery.com/shows/business-wars/season/76/

 

I wonder if there exists a "raised" fuse cover for taps, that would fit the foot panel block.....

 

Was the Honda a 6cyl? Inwas never able to really see one in person but have been told that it is a 6cyl not a 4 cyl?
Thank for the read!

I work for TMH: Toyota Material Handling
So I have to make one correction:
"Kiichiro Toyoda was a Japanese businessman and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda"
I get to watch videos every year so that's how I know...... they changed the name to Toyota to be more English like.

 

I stand corrected! I did copy and paste google. Shame on me. Will fix.

The s2k is a 4cyl OEM motor was the F20C which revved up to 9k NO torque whatsoever real pain in the neck to get onto a trailer. This s2k has a k24a2 (2.4 liter engine, with a CAM, aftermarket ECU, all sorts of goodies), but she is not stock... not one bit.

 

So I was not told the truth then. From my nephew who worked as a service writer at a Honda dealership told me they came with 6 cyls in them? Dam kids!!! Lol
I enjoyed the audio, that was my first by the way too.
Yes the narrators were not so good, needed the original Godzilla English dubbed voice overs lol.
I have several hi ups at my dealership go to Japan TMH and was told Toyota once made Ford an offer to buy. Toyota is very smart as they acquired Raymond and many others we never know about because they don't change the brand, they have them get more efficient so parts are always ready and so forth. Plus the cash to be 15 years ready in the future so I'll never get laid off. Toyota also is the majority share holder of Subaru. Great company!

 

Totally agreed about the voice acting, definitely may upset any Japanese. Now for the s2k, some folks swap the J35 engine from the Acura TL and other makes into the car, its a bit tight no doubt. But in my opinion it would somewhat upset the balance of the vehicle. Really interesting story about how Toyota navigated the pandemic too. You have to appreciate their strategic long term thinking.

Also some of my first car hobbies were with the EJ20 (WRX), I still recall my son in the back seat telling me to drive faster. Nothing like a solid (not too loud) unequal length header mated to a turbo H4. Heavy as sin, transmission was made of glass. But that car still is one of my favorites. I even owned a BRZ which was a great car too, down on power, but handled very well. I wanted to turbo that, but I knew it was just going to reduce the reliability of the car.

Very familiar with Toyota and some of the Andon chord. I work for a different sort of industry

 

Specific to the winter snowstorm the Tundie endured the wolfbox camera held up just fine, a bit foggy but nothing a small amount of rain-x or defogger can't fix.