Installing a VIOFO A229 Pro Duo and BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 in a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The first thing to do is to locate your vehicle's fuse box, or power source. Normally, the fuse box would be by the footwell on the driver’s or passenger’s side. For this RAV4, the fuse panel is located directly beneath the dashboard, on the driver’s side in the footwell.

To wire the VIOFO A229 Pro Duo to the battery pack, we used a spliced output cable, connecting an output cable for the battery to an A229 Pro Duo hardwire kit. For a discreet setup, we put the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 underneath the driver’s seat and used the included velcro adhesives to hold the battery in place once installed.

Going back to the fusebox, we removed its plastic panel cover. Look for the small nudge located at the bottom of the panel, then pull the cover using the trim tool. What you need is the hardwire kit for the battery pack. Unlike a typical hardwire install, with a battery, this is only a 2-wire connection, so you only need to find a suitable ACC ignition-based fuse and ground connection, as opposed to the 3-wire connection of a dash camera.

Next, we used a socket wrench to loosen a metal bolt next to the fusebox, just enough so that we can slide on the grounding cable's C-shaped head. We recommend you test out various fuses with a circuit tester (such as the one included in the install package) to see which would work best for an ACC connection, only lighting up when the vehicle is on.

Moreover, the fuse tap that you choose is dependent on the car, from ATO, Micro2, Low-Profile and Mini. For this 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime, Low-Profile fuses are used. Make sure the fuse tap you’re adding is equal to or less than the existing fuse you are connecting to. Learn more about Add-a-Fuses here.

After we finished in the fusebox, we connected the hardwire cable to the battery pack. To run the cable from the fusebox to the battery, we peeled off some of the floor panelling right by the driver door, and wired underneath it, all the way underneath the driver-side seat. The battery pack is securely fixed underneath the seat with the included velcro straps. Finally, put back the fusebox cover and panelling, and we’re done in the fusebox.

Next up, we mount the VIOFO A229 Pro Duo’s front dash cam. For us, the best place to mount a dash cam is behind the rearview mirror on the passenger side, because it conceals the dash cam from the driver's view.

The A229 Pro Duo’s front dash camera includes a 2.4-inch screen, but it is still designed discreetly. Just remember that before mounting the camera, we recommend you clean the interior windshield with Windex to ensure the camera adheres appropriately. Remove any marks or smears that may impact your footage's video quality, too.

To determine the best angle, we recommend you download and launch the VIOFO mobile app. You can check the camera’s live view and figure out if it’s positioned correctly at the center. Carefully peel the adhesive from the back of the VIOFO A229 Pro and mount it in the best-angled position. Hold it up against the windshield firmly for a couple of seconds. After that, you can put on the CPL filter which can help you record glare-free footage, which comes in every package of the A229 Pro.

After mounting the front dash cam, it’s time for the wires.

Run your power cable from the battery up to the front dash cam. We routed it up to and across the A-pillar, across the headliner, and to the dash cam. The easy part was taking off the plastic trim of the vehicle, and running the cable up the side of your vehicle door to the A-Pillar. You can use the trim tool to pry off the plastic trim if necessary.

Next, we crossed the A-pillar to reach the headliner after working our way up. We pry at the A-pillar with the handy trim removal tool until the cable can be slid across. Just make sure that it is not obstructing any airbags by running behind or avoiding them. Once we’re past the A-pillar, we can peel down the headliner, and stuff the cables inside. You can use cable clips to secure the cable if it’s loose!

Next, we move on to the rear camera. This is the extra step on top of installing a front-only channel camera system.

You’re going to need the rear connecting cable that comes with the A229 Pro package. We plugged the rear connecting cable into the front unit, ran the cable along the headliner, and straight across the length of the car past the A, B, and C pillars.

After that, we mounted the A229 Pro’s rear camera itself. Since the RAV4 Prime is an SUV, we had to wire through the grommet connecting the rear hatch to the rest of the vehicle. The rear body piece nearest the back windshield should be removed first. The internal clamps should easily come loose with the trim tool and some force, revealing the connecting grommet exit. Learn more about rear camera installations here.

On the main vehicle side, we did the same process to make space at the entrance of the connecting grommets. Sometimes they can be rather tight, so loosening it with some lubricant is advised. For this install, we fished the cable through by wrapping a zip-tie to the end of the cable, allowing us to pull the cable out the other end.

If you have any extra slack or excess cabling in your rear cable, loop it through the rear roof of the car, storing it up between the frame and the headliner. We bundled up the excess cabling using electrical tape and tucked it away, then closed everything up.

Next, install the rear camera on the rear windshield. Just make sure it’s centred, and note that it should not be installed with the rear defroster lines blocking its view. Same as the front camera, we recommend you check the live view of the rear camera before mounting, making sure it’s up and running, and using the positioning lines accordingly.

Beyond that, make sure everything is nicely hidden and tucked away, closing up all panels. Before hitting the road, make sure to test the A229 Pro to make sure it's working properly. Turn on the car and check if the dash cam turns on automatically. If it doesn't turn on, re-check the power connections.