This photo blog will show how we installed a BlackVue DR900X Plus 2-channel dash cam into the 2021 Mercedes AMG G63. If you're considering installing a dash cam, we recommend the Blackbox MyCar Essential Install Kit. The BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit comes with a circuit tester, trim remover tool, and other handy tools to make the hardwiring and installation process more manageable.
The DR900X-2CH Plus is BlackVue’s flagship dual-channel dash cam that delivers 4K UHD front and 1080p Full HD rear video quality. It boasts a feature-packed Cloud service and an advanced parking surveillance system.
We installed the BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus dash cam into a 2021 Mercedes G63 AMG
Even though the tailgate on the G63 opens sideways, the installation process is very similar to that of a liftgate on other SUVs and hatchbacks.
Refer to your vehicle’s owner's manual
The owner of this G63 requested an installation with parking surveillance. There are different ways to install a dash cam for parking mode recording, and for this Mercedes, we went with a hardwire installation. The first step is to locate the fuse panel.
You will find a fuse panel in the engine compartment, the driver footwell, the passenger footwell, and the rear passenger compartment. Unfortunately, the fuses in the driver and passenger footwell fuse panels are all live, which means it would not work for the 3-wire BlackVue hardwiring cable. For this installation, we went with the fuse panel in the rear passenger compartment (under the rear passenger seat).
If you want parking mode recording but do not want to tinker with the car’s fuse panel(s), we strongly recommend getting a dedicated dash cam battery pack. The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Battery is slim enough to be stowed inside the vehicle, and you can always plug it into a 12V outlet (i.e., a cigarette lighter socket) in your car.
The ideal place for the front camera is behind the rearview mirror.
The ideal place to mount a dash cam is behind the rearview mirror because it hides the dash cam from the driver's view to avoid any obstruction while driving. Luckily, BlackVue’s signature slender cylindrical shape makes it easy to position the DR900X-2CH Plus behind the rearview mirror.
Don’t forget to check how far the wiper goes because if you mount the front-facing camera above the wiper's reach, it will not have a clear vision. You don't want to have your dash cams installed in an area outside of the range of your windshield wiper coverage; else, on a rainy or snowy day, the camera lens will not be able to capture video. Clean the windshield from the inside of the car to ensure the camera sticks properly and to clean off any marks or smears that might affect the video quality of your footage.
Always refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your vehicle.
The hardwiring kit for the DR900X Plus is a 3-wire cable. Connect the red wire (the ACC wire) to a constant fuse (12V power) and the yellow wire (the Battery wire) to an ignition switch (12V source). The black wire with the C-shaped connector is the ground wire, which should be grounded to an unpainted metal bolt or stud in the vehicle.
Always refer to the Fuses section in the vehicle's owner's manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your car. Use the circuit testing in the BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Package to help you find a suitable continuous power fuse for the red/ACC wire and an ignition fuse for the yellow. You can look for the empty fuse slots or ones you can piggyback off using the add-a-fuse kit included in the Essential Install Package.
Once you have connected the hardwiring cable to the fuse slots, tuck the power cable under the door sill until you reach the front passenger footwell.
The BlackVue DR900X and X-Plus Come with a built-in voltage meter, and the BlackVue hardwiring cable utilizes this feature to enable parking mode - that is why you no longer need the BlackVue Power Magic Pro (PMP).
The BlackVue DR900X and X-Plus Come with a built-in voltage meter, and the BlackVue hardwiring cable utilizes this feature to enable parking mode - that is why you no longer need the BlackVue Power Magic Pro (PMP).
Use the trim removal tool to gently pull back the headliner trim to tuck in the cables.
Take the other end of the hardwiring cable and plug it into the dash cam. Using the trim removal tool, gently pull back the headliner trim to tuck in the cable. When you get to the A-pillar, pop off the A-Pillar clip and remove the Torx screw. You can then pull off the pillar cover.
Always, always route the hardwiring cable behind the airbags. Run the power cable down the A-pillar until you reach the passenger footwell. Take the extra cable and hide it in the passenger footwell. Unfortunately, there isn’t much space for the cable slack in the rear. We recommend using zip ties and wire tape to keep it all tidy.
Because the rubber grommet on the back door is on the left side, we ran the rear connecting cable along the headliner and ABC pillars on the left side of the car.
Plug the rear camera connecting cable into the front unit, run the cable along the headliner, and straight down the length of the car to the A, B, and C pillars.
Carefully remove the side weatherstrip from the front and rear doors. Use the trim removal tool to lift the pillar trim slightly, and remove any mounting clips under the pillar by gently pulling the panel cover.
Remember, don’t just stuff the cable under the rubber seal because it will create a little gap that might prevent the door from sealing properly - you will get wind noise, or worse, water can seep into the car.
Look for the rubber hoses that connect the chassis to the door. Use a long zip tie to run the rear connecting cable through it for a clean installation.
Mounting the rear camera in the G63 is very similar to mounting one in a vehicle with a rear liftgate - it requires a few extra steps. You have a couple of options for running the rear camera connecting cable to the rear windshield, depending on what tools you have available. Some people just have their cables coming out of the C-pillar and right onto the rear windshield. While that works, you have to be careful when you open and close the trunk as the cable can get tangled up, get loose, or be exposed to water damage, etc
We recommend taking the time to do it properly, through the rubber grommet between the chassis and the tailgate, so the cables are all nice and tidy - the cable will then run through the grommet and onto the rear windshield. Go ahead and give it a squeeze to check how much wiggle room you have before attempting to run the wire.
You can use a long zip tie, a coat hanger, or any variation of a long wire to guide the front-to-rear cable through the headliner and the rear hatch grommet before connecting to the rear camera.
You can use a long zip tie, a coat hanger, or any variation of a long wire to guide the front-to-rear cable through the headliner and the rear hatch grommet before connecting to the rear camera.
Plug the connecting cable into the rear camera and power your car to turn on the BlackVue DR900X Plus. You will hear the BlackVue greeting prompt. Suppose you haven't done so, download and install the BlackVue mobile app on your smartphone.
Once your BlackVue is powered on, enable the built-in WiFi and then connect to the dash cam using the app to check the angle of the front and rear cameras and adjust as needed.
Use the Live View feature to check the viewing angle of the front and rear cameras and adjust if needed.
Our BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus dash cam installation - is completed! From the outside, looking in from the front of the vehicle, the BlackVue DR900X Plus front-facing and rear-facing cameras blend in well with the car.
Planning on installing a dash cam in your car? Check out our Step-by-Step Dash Cam Installation Guide and our selection of handy installation accessories. And if you ever need a hand during the installation process, just call us; our dash cam specialists are available to help!
Looking to have your dash cam professionally installed, we do offer installation services at our Richmond BC location.
Please see some of our other dash cam installations in the BlackboxMyCar Dash Cam Installation Gallery.
