Removing dome light console for dash cam install??

[dylanst0kes]

How on earth are you guys taking out the center dome light thing to wire a dash cam? I’ve been trying for 30 minutes and have nothing more than a slightly broken piece of trim and marks on my fingers to show for it. I’m pulling down from the front because I know there are tabs at the back where it hinges, but it barely budges

update for anyone that may come across this: I ended up taking it to the dealer and it took 2 techs, a very long pry bar/trim clip tool, and one tech partially pulling the headliner down while the other went through the sunroof area, but they finally got it off.

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[2025 Big Red]

I bought a dongle on prime and hooked into rear view mirror. Took 5 minutes and didn’t have to run any wires.

 

[2025 Big Red]

Here’s front and rear mount. Only couple wires high on windshield. Rear made bracket and attached into rear bracket under head liner. Use aluminum bar stock and bent. Had to put toward passenger side so rear wiper would clean camera area. Also couple of pics from dash cam.

 

[dylanst0kes]

I bought a dongle on prime and hooked into rear view mirror. Took 5 minutes and didn’t have to run any wires.

I wish I would’ve done that. Dealer said it was the first 2025 4Runner where they had to pull that part off so they weren’t sure how to do it. Got it all wired up though

 

[2025 Big Red]

How/where did you mount your rear? It’s a shame we have to educate dealers.

 

[MikeD]

How on earth are you guys taking out the center dome light thing to wire a dash cam? I’ve been trying for 30 minutes and have nothing more than a slightly broken piece of trim and marks on my fingers to show for it. I’m pulling down from the front because I know there are tabs at the back where it hinges, but it barely budges

update for anyone that may come across this: I ended up taking it to the dealer and it took 2 techs, a very long pry bar/trim clip tool, and one tech partially pulling the headliner down while the other went through the sunroof area, but they finally got it off.

I, like you, struggled with this (just a few days ago). I ended up getting a set of trim removal tools from the local auto parts store (link below for what I got). I used two of the 90 degree bend tools with about a 2" lever - one just inside front of each corner. rotate the rear view mirror 90 degrees from normal to have room to pry on both and ... shazam... popped right out. I just redid it last night and was SO easy the second time. But those trim tools make a difference.

Trim removal tools

 

[dylanst0kes]

How/where did you mount your rear? It’s a shame we have to educate dealers.

I haven’t done the rear yet. I’ll probably just use some sort of adhesive to stick it to the headliner. I want to avoid something permanent if possible

 

[dylanst0kes]

I, like you, struggled with this (just a few days ago). I ended up getting a set of trim removal tools from the local auto parts store (link below for what I got). I used two of the 90 degree bend tools with about a 2" lever - one just inside front of each corner. rotate the rear view mirror 90 degrees from normal to have room to pry on both and ... shazam... popped right out. I just redid it last night and was SO easy the second time. But those trim tools make a difference.

Trim removal tools

My dash cam came with a small trim removal tool but even with that I couldn’t get it. The first tech at the dealer tried using a heavy duty one and still couldn’t get it. They ended up using a 2 prong fork like tool through the headliner at the sunroof to pop the clips. It was insane how difficult it was

 

[4Runn3r]

I bought a dongle on prime and hooked into rear view mirror. Took 5 minutes and didn’t have to run any wires.

Do you have a link to the dongle you purchased ? I’ve been looking for a usb c one that will work on a 6th gen.

 

[dylanst0kes]

Do you have a link to the dongle you purchased ? I’ve been looking for a usb c one that will work on a 6th gen.

Hardwire kit


Dashcam

5 Pin plug

I assume the hardwire kit should work to power essentially anything USB C. I just spliced the wires and used some connectors and ordered a pin off Ali express to tie into the 5 pin in the ceiling. I got the female with wires so I didn’t have to pin it myself

 

[4Runn3r]

Hardwire kit


Dashcam

5 Pin plug

I assume the hardwire kit should work to power essentially anything USB C. I just spliced the wires and used some connectors and ordered a pin off Ali express to tie into the 5 pin in the ceiling. I got the female with wires so I didn’t have to pin it myself

Hardwire kit


Dashcam

5 Pin plug

I assume the hardwire kit should work to power essentially anything USB C. I just spliced the wires and used some connectors and ordered a pin off Ali express to tie into the 5 pin in the ceiling. I got the female with wires so I didn’t have to pin it myself

Thank you for the info! Much appreciated!

 

[EROtero]

the dome slides forwards to the front of the vehicle to disengage two spring snaps and two foot hooks.

 

[dylanst0kes]

the dome slides forwards to the front of the vehicle to disengage two spring snaps and two foot hooks.

I tried sliding it every which way, pulling, prying, etc and couldn’t get anything to budge more than maybe 1/4 of an inch

 

[Archer]

First top side came right out, 2nd was stuck and gave me grief for a bit but eventually came out. After that just pulled down and all was good.

One thing I did learn about using the Dongar with Viofo, you must use the Viofo module to get the parking mode feature. If not, Viofo will just keep recording when you shut the vehicle off and not do motion sensor.

So in reality, it seems there's no benefit of using a Dongar if you have a Viofo dashcam, atleast the 119 Mini2. Don't think you'll find enough room to hide the Dongar and Viofo module and wiring at the mirror.


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