How to Install a Rear Camera

Similar to a front dash cam installation, installing a rear dash camera on your hatchback or SUV requires the following materials:

• Rear dash camera
• Rear camera cable
• Adhesive mount
• Cable clips
• Microfibre towels
• Glass cleaners
• Trim tool

Look for the 1 or 2 hoses that connect to the liftgate

Connect the cable from the front dash cam and power source. If you purchased a two-channel dash camera from us, it will come with a rear camera cable.

Next to do is to connect the rear camera cable to the front camera. The wire will be routed along the headliner, past the A, B, and C pillars.

Pillars are the vertical supports on a car that are lettered from A to D – from front to rear. The frontmost pillar, for example, is the A-pillar, which frequently keeps the windshield in place. The B-pillar is positioned behind the A-pillar and divides the front and back seats. The passenger compartment behind the rear seats is referred to as the C-pillar. Lastly, D-pillars are typical in larger vehicles like trucks and vans.

For hatchbacks and SUVs, you would have to pass through A, B, and C.

Routing wires from the front to the rear of a car can be tricky. To avoid a mess, thread the cable through the hoses connecting to the liftgate. First, check which hose has more room by gently squeezing them. If there's enough space, you might be able to push the wire through by hand.

For tighter hoses, use a rigid thin wire, coat hanger, fishing wire, or long zip-tie to guide the cable through. Attach the camera's cable to your guide wire with electrical tape, fully covering the tip to protect the cable's pins.

Pull the required length of wire through, then hide it behind the trim, ensuring all plastic clips are properly aligned. Reattach the rubber tubing securely, ensuring it's waterproof.

Remember, some cameras have different plugs for the front and rear; for example, rear plugs might have straight tips, which are easier to thread through hoses. Ensure you're using the correct end of the cable for installation.

Now, it’s time to mount the rear dash cam. Every package comes with an adhesive mount which you can attach to the rear windshield to stick your dash cam. We recommend you attach it at the center of the rear windshield, avoiding the rear defroster grid lines.

Just make sure to mount the camera in a location where it will not move or provide enough slack for the camera to travel up and down. For best results, check the live view of your rear dash cam straight on the smartphone app to determine if the rear dash cam angle covers well enough, and isn’t obstructed by any defrosting lines. We recommend mounting to the top center of your windshield unless obstructed, in which case either side of the vehicle will do. Mounting on defroster lines is fine, as long as you are careful with removal at a later date.

Alternatively, you can also install the rear dash camera on top of the roof on the rear instead of placing it on the window. This is especially useful for rear windows that can be lifted independently, aside from your trunk hatch. However, the basic headliner fabric of your vehicle is not suitable for standard adhesives. This means you’ll need to install a platform on your headliner with suitable material for your Dash Cam adhesive to rest on. You can do so by clipping the rear dash cam on the trim near the roof. One method is, you can take a basic large binder clip, remove the metal prongs, and wedge it horizontally between your headliner and roof. Then you can fix the Dash Cam adhesive to the broad side of the binder Clip.

Another more professional alternative is to use a magnetic coin mount.

Of course, after the mounting and wiring, we want to test the rear dash cam to make sure it's working properly. Turn on the car engine and check if the dash cam turns on automatically. If it doesn't turn on, check the power connections and make sure the dash cam is properly mounted.