Dash Cam Advice - Weather-Proof Rear Cam

[SargeDiesel]

I’m looking for advice on dash cams for the gladiator. As I have a soft topper, by rear windshield is essentially unusable for a rear camera. I’m looking to see if anyone has positive experience with a setup that allows recording when driving, and parked, with a camera that I could hypothetically mount somewhere on the tailgate or bumper. Thanks very much.

I have a Rexing, love it, but have the rear mounted inside(hard top) Have you thought about one of those license plate cams, like they use for backup cams ?

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[SargeDiesel]

Cool. I’ll look at that. I just saw that Wolfbox has a setup with a Digital Touch screen rear view mirror for the front, and a weatherproof rear that comes with it. Even with a pile of accessories, it doesn’t look like the whole setup would cost much more than $350.

Edit: my trusted car audio/electronics guy said wolfbox sucks.

A lot of problems with the rear view mirror style.. I think its the 900 or something. Follow their community on FB and you will see the complaints.

 

[Free2roam]

A lot of problems with the rear view mirror style.. I think its the 900 or something. Follow their community on FB and you will see the complaints.

I've got the Wolfbox 900 no complaints but I have mine mounted up high because of the camper.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I've got the Wolfbox 900 no complaints but I have mine mounted up high because of the camper.

Thats good to know... I have several Wolfbox products, just not the cam. I just see a lot of complaints... I think the screen is going blank or dark.. not 100% sure... definitely not knocking them, I like WB... glad you are having good luck and enjoying yours !

 

[WILDHOBO]

Oh… you’re probably correct!

I don’t know if I am, but the company I was recommended to, Rydeen, claims to have a solution. Supposedly, the Oem arm stays and an accessory part I ordered clamps around it to support the new mirror. But that’s just what I was told during the research. I’ll confirm after I dig into it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I have a Rexing, love it, but have the rear mounted inside(hard top) Have you thought about one of those license plate cams, like they use for backup cams ?

I ordered one that has a rear outdoor camera with several mounting options. One is license plate, but I’m going to try to go higher to avoid headlight and license plate led interference.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Install is mostly done. I haven’t installed the proximity sensor, and need some interior wiring cleanup, but it’s mostly buttoned up. I’m very happy with the product thus far. Granted I haven’t left the driveway. I mounted the rear camera on the top of age of the license plate for now. I’ve got lots of wire if I decide to move it, but it seems great there for now. The front camera can either face forward, or down and record front, left, right, and rear. I think I’ll just point it forward while driving, but we’ll see. Image quality is great on both cameras. The only thing that doesn’t give it 5 stars in a JT or JL is that the visors can just barely hit it when hinging them forward. But it’s not a big deal to me. I think I’ll be quite happy with this solution.

 

[sharpsicle]

Ok folks. I decided to take a gamble on a new idea.

Those that know me know I hate major modifications. I especially hate drilling new holes into things. However, if it's something easily replaced, I'm more willing to give it a shot. With that in mind, I set my sights on the rear tailgate handle.

I drilled and chamfered a 1/2" hole on the left (driver) side to mirror the key lock on the right:

When you pop off the cover from the tailgate side, this comes through very nicely on the inside of the tailgate:

Now with this hole in place, I was able to nestle the rear camera lens into that hole:

The trick (which I'm still looking into better solutions to accomplish) is to hold it in place, both laterally as well as keeping it pressed into the hole. I've cut the factory mount to hold the side away from the latch, and then used cable straps to apply pressure around and behind the camera lens:

This method of securing it is ugly, but functional. This is the result:

The image is perfect for what I was looking for. With this in the tailgate and the front up top behind the mirror, I get great coverage:

A QUICK NOTE:
This is the rear camera that comes with all the BlackVue 2-channel or more camera kits. This particular one is not rated to be outdoors. I believe this solution is protected well enough covered from the elements to be just fine, but only time will tell. My main point of concern for water entry is obviously the lens, and I am considering options on a way to cover/seal that lens hole.

I'm going to continue to test and refine this idea, but so far, I'm really happy with the results.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Ok folks. I decided to take a gamble on a new idea.

Those that know me know I hate major modifications. I especially hate drilling new holes into things. However, if it's something easily replaced, I'm more willing to give it a shot. With that in mind, I set my sights on the rear tailgate handle.

I drilled and chamfered a 1/2" hole on the left (driver) side to mirror the key lock on the right:

When you pop off the cover from the tailgate side, this comes through very nicely on the inside of the tailgate:

Now with this hole in place, I was able to nestle the rear camera lens into that hole:

The trick (which I'm still looking into better solutions to accomplish) is to hold it in place, both laterally as well as keeping it pressed into the hole. I've cut the factory mount to hold the side away from the latch, and then used cable straps to apply pressure around and behind the camera lens:

This method of securing it is ugly, but functional. This is the result:

The image is perfect for what I was looking for. With this in the tailgate and the front up top behind the mirror, I get great coverage:

A QUICK NOTE:
This is the rear camera that comes with all the BlackVue 2-channel or more camera kits. This particular one is not rated to be outdoors. I believe this solution is protected well enough covered from the elements to be just fine, but only time will tell. My main point of concern for water entry is obviously the lens, and I am considering options on a way to cover/seal that lens hole.

I'm going to continue to test and refine this idea, but so far, I'm really happy with the results.

Very nice. I saw someone remove the key lock and use that hole, but I don’t want that removed. I might try your solution. Mine is currently on the license plate, and is fine during the day, but tough with headlights from a close following vehicle. Mine is outdoor rated, so I might try letting the camera protrude a little further out.

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

Ok folks. I decided to take a gamble on a new idea.

Those that know me know I hate major modifications. I especially hate drilling new holes into things. However, if it's something easily replaced, I'm more willing to give it a shot. With that in mind, I set my sights on the rear tailgate handle.

I drilled and chamfered a 1/2" hole on the left (driver) side to mirror the key lock on the right:

When you pop off the cover from the tailgate side, this comes through very nicely on the inside of the tailgate:

Now with this hole in place, I was able to nestle the rear camera lens into that hole:

The trick (which I'm still looking into better solutions to accomplish) is to hold it in place, both laterally as well as keeping it pressed into the hole. I've cut the factory mount to hold the side away from the latch, and then used cable straps to apply pressure around and behind the camera lens:

This method of securing it is ugly, but functional. This is the result:

The image is perfect for what I was looking for. With this in the tailgate and the front up top behind the mirror, I get great coverage:

A QUICK NOTE:
This is the rear camera that comes with all the BlackVue 2-channel or more camera kits. This particular one is not rated to be outdoors. I believe this solution is protected well enough covered from the elements to be just fine, but only time will tell. My main point of concern for water entry is obviously the lens, and I am considering options on a way to cover/seal that lens hole.

I'm going to continue to test and refine this idea, but so far, I'm really happy with the results.

I'm starting to plan my install and I first put it on a high crossbar on my wildtop and I couldn't see my daughter holding up a stuffed animal above her head whe ln she was standing behind the jeep. Then I put it above my receiver and that had a good view but we get so much road spit from snowmelt and chemicals that I would never be able to see out of it.

Then I looked at the grab handle and thought that might work. A quick google search and boom exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for sharing.

I have a wolfbox so it's a different shape but I think it's going to work.

How has this been?

 

[sharpsicle]

It has been great for me. I had to adapt the way it was held in place, but other than that no issues. The cable straps idea just wasn't enough pressure.

I'm sure you'd be finding a different way to hold yours in place since it's a different shape anyway. But just to clarify what I did, I took what is essentially lamp hardware and used it to apply pressure. The plate is mounted to the top part of the tailgate (under the access panel) and a plastic cap was screwed onto the bottom to not damage the camera. I then could tighten the rod until the right amount of pressure was in place.

Example of what I used:

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

i got hole in and bent a bracket to hold the camera in the hole. i ran the camera wire out the bottom of the tailgate, into the under the bed area. how did you bring it back into the cab?

 

[sharpsicle]

i got hole in and bent a bracket to hold the camera in the hole. i ran the camera wire out the bottom of the tailgate, into the under the bed area. how did you bring it back into the cab?

Just noticed this, sorry about that.

I ran the camera cable out the bottom of the tailgate with the rest of the wires, then all the way along the driver's frame up to the engine bay, and then in through the clutch pedal grommet. It's a long cable, but worked out.

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

I did similar. I routed through cowl and door

 

[ih800a]

@sharpsicle I'm about to tackle the tailgate install for my dashcam rear camera using your great idea as inspiration. I'm curious if you made any further modifications for weatherproofing, as you mentioned you had some concerns about that initially.

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