Upgrading your vehicle’s safety and security is increasingly important, and a 2 channel dash cam with parking mode offers peace of mind by recording both front and rear views, even when your car is parked. Inspired by discussions on sites like Reddit, this guide details the installation of a Viofo A229 Plus front and rear dash cam, focusing on achieving a clean, factory-like integration and utilizing an OBD2 harness for convenient parking mode functionality.
The rear camera installation was prioritized for a discreet, almost OEM look. Instead of simply adhering the camera to the windshield, a custom mount was designed and 3D printed to seamlessly integrate with the existing rear-view camera housing. This approach ensures no modifications to the vehicle and avoids any visible wires, maintaining a clean aesthetic. The Viofo rear camera securely slides into this mount, requiring no adhesives and allowing for easy removal if needed.
Routing the rear camera wire to the liftgate presented the biggest challenge, but resulted in an exceptionally clean installation with no exposed wires. This meticulous routing ensures the wires are protected and hidden from view, preventing any snagging or interference when loading cargo.
Once the wire was successfully routed through the liftgate, running it along the headliner to the front of the vehicle was straightforward. The process involved carefully removing the grab handle and A-pillar trim to conceal the wire behind the airbag. This ensures safety and maintains the vehicle’s interior integrity. The wire was then directed up to the windshield headliner and down to the main front dash cam unit, positioned discreetly to the right of the rearview mirror mount and out of the driver’s line of sight.
For power, an OBD2 harness was chosen, offering a plug-and-play solution and enabling the dash cam’s parking mode feature. This harness provides power even when the vehicle is off, activating parking mode based on voltage thresholds to prevent battery drain. A convenient rocker switch on the harness allows for easy toggling between always-on parking mode and regular dash cam operation (powered only when the ignition is on). The OBD2 port, easily accessible under the dash to the left of the steering wheel, makes the switch readily available for use as needed.
The wiring process is simplified by running the harness along the side of the dash, up the A-pillar (again, behind the airbag), and along the headliner to the dash cam unit. The final result is a clean, professional-looking installation with no visible wires, no占用 of USB ports or 12V outlets, and easily reversible with no permanent modifications to the vehicle. The switch-operated parking mode offers flexible control over battery usage, allowing for deactivation when parking mode is not required, such as at home. While alternatives like Dongar adapters exist, the OBD2 harness provides a readily available and user-friendly solution for integrating a 2 channel dash cam with parking mode, as discussed by many users on sites like www.reddit.com and car enthusiast forums.
