I purchased a dashcam and would like to hide the USB cable. I am a little leery to route the dashcam to the fuse box in the engine compartment via a hard wire kit. I am hesitant to remove the plastic panel on the A-pillar and potentially causing any damage. One method I was considering is to purchase a quick installation kit and route the cable to the interior fuse box in the cabin by tucking it into the headliner and A-pillar plastic.

My question, how difficult is it to route the USB cable to the interior fuse box without removing the plastic covering the A-pillar?

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi there. Someone had posted a guide which may help. Check out https://maxima.org/forums/8th-genera...m-install.html

 

Thanks, rdhunna. I saw the post but the OP routed the cable to the fuse box in the engine compartment. He also popped the cover off of the A-pillar.

 

If you don't want to see the cable then you have to go under the A-pillar. You'll run the cord almost exactly as that other post but you'll just drop down from the top of the dash to the interior fuse box. You could just tuck it into the A-pillar, but you won't get access to those holes that lead directly to the fuse box without taking it off.

 

Thanks for everyone's inputs. Looks like I have no choice but to remove the plastic covering!

 

Does it take a lot of effort to pop the plastic covering off of the A-pillar? I don't want to use too much force and end up breaking or cracking the plastic. Is a special tool required or can I use something readily available in my garage?

 

You should get a panel removal kit, like $20 from harbor freight or AutoZone (LINK). It doesn't take a lot of pressure or force, but the first time you do it you will be nervous. Start at the top maybe using one of the thicker tools shown in that link and pull towards the inside of the car. Once all the clips are detached you'll just shimmy the bottom out.

 

Thanks, Clouded, for your expertise. I will check out these tools!

 

Just following up, I decided to have my dashcam installed professionally. I found a local shop that did it for $85. Comparing the costs associated with a hardwire kit, panel removing kit, personal time, and the possible headaches involved with the whole process, $85 is not bad. Dashcam in pic is VIOFO A119.



Viofo A119



Pic from interior fusebox showing hardwire kit.

 

Why did they install it so low on the windshield? Mine is mounted to the frit (black dots), and it is much more discreet - I can't even see it from the drivers seat as it is hidden by the mirror

 

I actually installed it there...I was worried that if I installed it on the frit that I might end up ripping them off when I remove the adhesive mount. Are you able to see the video image clearly through the black dots?

edit: it's actually quite discrete. It is not in my line of sight and one barely notices the camera when standing outside of the car.