I apologize for starting a new thread for this post. I used the search feature and it returned everything but Dash Cam results.

I bought a new Dash Cam for front and rear view. I went to some auto electrical and general mechanic shops today, to get estimates for installation. I wanted the wires hidden so, I knew that would cost more.

One shop told me they would have to remove the headliner. To remove the headliner, the door panels have to be removed. He estimated 8-10 hours labor @ $170, per hour. That would be up to $1700 for a $150 dollar camera. I said, "no thanks." I will send the camera back to Amazon and take my chances. After all, I have been driving for 60 years without a camera.

I am a 100% disabled Veteran, so I can't do the work myself. I am also visually impaired. I am pretty useless unless someone wants to use me as a bad example.

 

There are connectors that allow for getting the power for dash cam from the rear view mirror. Hence no headliner disassembly.

Easiest way (Not prettiest) would be to install it on the glass, run the wires around the headliner, A pillar and then plug it into the 12V outlet (aka cigarette lighter plug). They could use doble sided clear tape to attach the wires there and tuck it a bit under headliner. Or just let it come straight down and plug in

 

Being disabled makes it tough unfortunately. You are at the mercy of installers. I would keep shopping around or place a FB or Next Door post in your area. I would literally do it for a 12pk of beer if you lived near me as it really is not that hard of a job. I have done a few dashcams myself to include the one that looks backwards. While it takes some time there absolutely is no headliner removal. I also would be worried they would not install it back very well. All the wires can be run alongside the headliner or below tucking into weather stripping areas and door sills etc.

Also check out these folks. They make adapters (not sure if they have one for RX350 but you could call) that literally use connectors up in your mirror to power everything. All you then are doing is running one single wire all the way back to the back camera.
Lexus – Dongar Technologies LLC

 

Consider a FitcamX for the front cam. It replaces the OEM molding around the existing rear view mirror that the cam looks OEM.

Instead of running wires for the rear cam, use a simple stand alone cam suction cupped to the rear window and powered by the 12v outlet on the cargo wall. The outlet is powered on and off when the car is started.

 

That's crazy. You really can knock this out on your own with patience. Between looking up this car and the Highlander videos, you can find videos on newer gen models.

I have my wires hidden and running through the grommet on the rear. It's clean and hardwired. I'll post pics later.

Edit: I'll post a video later.

 

i had the lexus dealer install the lexus dash cam when i took delivery and it was 1200 so 1700 and you bought the camera is insane

 

Okay, I'm sorry, I did not see the part about the disability keeping you from doing it. I was reading this in the middle of grocery shopping.

Professional installation shouldn't be more than $400.00. and I think that's too much. The two most time consuming things would be getting around the A pillar and making sure the connecting clip isn't damaged and then if you wanted it, getting the wire through the grommet on the rear lifting door. It should be a breeze for the rest.

Those guys are charging too much.

 

i already had the lexus dash cam connected to the mirror so when i got my uniden r8 radar detector they advised me not throwing that on the mirror circuit and those small wires .

for 50 bucks the local stereo shop ran me concealed right to the fuse box

 

I ran my own Dash Can and hard wired radar detector in my Tacoma and several other cars before that. I already did the hard wire radar detector in the wife's RX350. Literally took 10 minutes as soon as I took off the dealer license plate and sticker. I will get her the same dash cam during black friday and do that. I use "add-a-fuse" from Amazon on everything. There are several open spots in the fuse box for switched power.

As mentioned for the OP just post on FB or Next Door. Some able bodied person will do this for a Vet.

 

$1200 for that primitive Lexus cam is insane.

 

that’s what the dealers here get.

it is what it is .

i wasn’t driving our new car home without one .

just weeks before our 2023 rx500h was totaled by a guy running a light .

my wife and i were both hospitalized .


he claimed he had the light .

the guy next to me had a dash cam running that saved the day .

it showed we clearly had a green light .

it showed us how powerful dash cam evidence can be

 

That method would look like I did it myself. I want a professional looking job.

 

here is the dealer installed lexus dash cam , and my uniden r8 radar detector hard wired to the fuse box .

the mount for the uniden is the suction cup which grabs the mirror housing very well

 

RE: "the mount for the uniden is the suction cup which grabs the mirror housing very wel"
Do you or have you ever had the suction cup come loose from the mounting spot on the plastic that it is on or do you have a magic secret to keep it from eventually falling?l

 

i just stuck it on once to that plastic base for the mirror and it has never come off , at least not yet because i said this. lol