Perry Mack
Front dashcam view.
Words and photos by Perry Mack
Although having a dashcam is beneficial to any vehicle, it is especially true with older vehicles, including my 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ diesel pick-up. At the time, its features were top-of-line and state of the art. However, today, years farther down the road, it lacks what is now standard in many vehicles.
The front facing dashcam of the G900 is brilliantly clear, with sharp 4K resolution and enhanced colour and shadow reproduction. The rear cam is 2.5K resolution, and a spectacular improvement over the 2011 Chevy OEM backup camera, which is similar to looking through scratched goggles in a snowstorm. The G900 rearview camera is designed to be mounted outside your vehicle. It is waterproof and can handle both extremely hot and cold conditions.
In addition to accurate, clear recording of landscapes, passing wildlife, or dangerous drivers while travelling, in an accident, sensors are triggered to safely store the event in a distinct file folder to prevent the event from being overwritten. When your vehicle is parked, the dashcam automatically goes into parking monitoring mode and continues to record, capturing any incidents that occur while you are away from your vehicle. Recordings not only include time and date, but also GPS coordinates, allowing you to pinpoint the events or points of interest you’ve captured on video.
Perry Mack
Elastic rubber straps secure the G900 to the stock mirror.
The touch screen is exceptional, with left or right swipes to switch between rear, front and split screen views. One touch to the mirror brings up the traditional gear icon to reach the settings menu. This menu provides quick, intuitive access to all the settings. You’ll never need to search for a manual.
The install kit is the best-outfitted, ready to install package that I’ve seen; with clear instructions, straightforward design, a trim removal tool, 64 Gb memory card and the all the wiring you’ll need for a basic installation. The only additional wiring you may need is an extension wire for the rear camera if you have a larger SUV or pickup.
Perry Mack
Cab mounted rear dashcam.
Installation
Unfortunately, the quality of the stock rearview camera in my Chevy, which displays on the OEM rearview mirror, is horrific. Sunlight on the camera completely obscures the image, and the screen size is only 2”x 2”. Rather than replace the OEM tailgate camera with a new one in the same spot, I mounted one Wolfbox G900 camera on the top rear of the cab to view the bed and any connected trailer. Now I can see if a load remains secure in the bed, or when towing, and I can monitor a trailer and any nearby traffic. This location also monitors items in the truck bed in the event something goes missing.
I mounted a second rear camera using the optional Wolfbox licence plate mounting bracket. The OEM tailgate camera points to the pavement when the tailgate is down, which often happens carrying longer loads. With the Wolfbox licence plate mount, even with the tailgate down, I still have a view for backing up and while driving, plus dashcam recording for security when parked.
Perry Mack
Rear bed view.
The hiccup is that I have to manually switch the inputs as the G900 is equipped with a single rear camera input. This is a minor inconvenience as it is only a five second addition to prepping for hauling or trailering.
You can power the system with the included accessory plug adapter or the fused power wire to connect the system into your vehicles fuse box, leaving your accessory plug free for other uses. I chose the accessory plug route as I have no other use for it, and I enjoy having the use of the USB port provided in the G900’s accessory adapter.
Installation in the cab was time consuming but not challenging. The GPS and its wire tucked into the overhead console with a little persuasion. The wire for the rear cab cam can be tucked under the molding all the way to the access for the upper reverse/brake lights behind the cab. From there, the camera can be mounted atop the reverse/brake light housing using the provided double-sided tape and powered using a T-tap attached the reverse light wire. A dab of silicon around the dashcam wire as it exits the cab at the housing keeps everything moisture free.
Perry Mack
Licence plate mount with vertical adjustment. Notice the split loom protecting the dashcam cable.
Mounting the camera at truck bed licence plate was more effort. The dashcam wire can once again be easily fed below the molding to a point behind the rear seat, then a 3/8” hole needs to be drilled through the cab to the exterior and the dashcam wire fed below the bed along the electrical bundle to the bumper. From there, the camera goes to its home in the Wolfbox licence plate mount and the power wire gets tapped into the reverse light in the driver’s side.
The provided dashcam wire was long enough to get all this done for my crew cab standard (6.5’) box. You will need a power drill with a 4” long, 3/8” metal bit, 20’ of ¼” split loom to protect the dashcam wire from the elements and sharp edges, two 3/8” rubber grommets to protect the wires in the loom from the sharp edges of the holes you’re drilling to exit the cab, a half-dozen 6” black zip ties to attach the dashcam wires to the existing electrical bed bundle, and a T-tap wire connector to get power.
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Perry Mack
Rear licence plate view parked.
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Perry Mack
Rear licence plate mount view driving.
Tips:
- Although a trim removal tool is provided, you’ll benefit from a full kit. They are affordable (less than $20) and will reduce your stress level for this and any other installs to come.
- Do yourself a favour and power wash under the bed if you can to remove dirt and rust. Regardless, I strongly recommend eye protection and you’ll probably need a trouble light or something similar.
The results are astounding. My rearward view is significantly improved over the stock rearview mirror enhancing driving safety. I have a backup camera even with the tailgate down, I have event monitoring while parked and travelling, and I’m able to capture vacation landscapes, wildlife and their locations.
Was the investment in the Wolfbox G900 worth it? Absolutely, yes.
Watch for the full install video here: https://www.youtube.com/@4WDMagazine