2024+ Tacoma Secret: Your Truck Has a Hidden Dash Cam Power Connector
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2024+ Tacoma Secret: Your Truck Has a Hidden Dash Cam Power Connector
🔌 The Secret: A Pre‑Wired Harness Waiting to Be Discovered
When Toyota designed the 4th generation Tacoma, they added a thoughtful feature for future accessories: a dedicated 5‑pin power connector located above the headliner, near the overhead console . This connector is often referred to as the "rooftop option connector" and provides switched 12V power—meaning it's only live when your truck is running . This is ideal for dash cams without parking mode, and it eliminates any risk of draining your battery, especially important for the hybrid models .
One Tacoma4G forum member described finding it: "The 2024 Tacoma OEM dash cam has the same part number as the OEM dash cams for the 22+ Tundra and Sequoia... The instructions are important because they show the two clips that hold the roof console in and provide part numbers for the little guys should they break."
This hidden harness means you can install a dash cam with zero visible wires—no more fussing with fuse taps or running cables across your windshield. It's the cleanest install possible, and it's already waiting for you.
🔍 What You Need to Know About the Pre‑Wire
- Location: Above the headliner, behind the overhead console (the panel with your map lights and sunroof controls) .
- Connector type: 5‑pin female connector (often called the "5‑pin rooftop option connector") .
- Power: Switched 12V—only active when the ignition is on .
- Availability: Confirmed present on all 2024–2025 Tacoma trims, including SR, SR5, TRD Sport, Pre‑Runner, Off‑Road, Limited, and Hybrid .
One owner on a 24 TRD OR Premium noted: "What was nice about the 5-pin connection, at least on my 24 TRD OR premium package- it was completely unoccupied. There was nothing I had to disconnect, it was plug and play."
🛠️ How to Access the Hidden Connector
Based on detailed instructions from Tacoma owners who've done it, here's how to reach the pre‑wire .
Tools You'll Need
- Trim removal tool (plastic pry bar)
- Small flathead screwdriver (optional)
- Patience—especially if you have a sunroof
Step‑by‑Step Access
- Remove the overhead console. Place your fingers at the front edge of the console (closest to the windshield) and pull straight down with steady pressure. There are four pyramid‑shaped clips that snap upward into the roof—you need to pull directly downward .
- Lower the console. Once the clips are released, the console will drop and dangle by its wiring harness. This is normal—you do not need to disconnect the harness.
- Locate the hidden connector. Reach into the opening between the windshield and where the console sat. You'll find a 5‑pin connector, often tucked in a black cloth sleeve or taped to the main harness .
- Free the connector if necessary. If it's taped, carefully remove the tape. Gently unwrap it to gain enough slack.
- Route the connector down. You can leave it accessible for plugging in your dash cam adapter. Some owners feed it through the pre‑cut notch in the headliner for easy access .
- Reinstall the overhead console. After connecting your dash cam, simply push the console back up until the clips click into place.
The entire process takes about 20–30 minutes for a first‑timer. One owner said: "Patience is key here, as those clips (4 in total) are held into place quite good—just be gentle with the leverage."
📹 Connecting Your Dash Cam: Two Options
Now that you've exposed the hidden connector, you have two main paths to power your dash cam.
Option 1: Use a Dedicated Adapter (Easiest for Aftermarket Cams)
For most aftermarket dash cams, including the popular Wefoka 4K OEM‑Style Dash Cam, you'll need a 12V‑to‑5V USB adapter that plugs into the factory 5‑pin connector. The good news is that companies like Dongar Technologies make exactly this adapter .
Dongar 5-pin USB adapter: This small harness plugs directly into the factory 5‑pin connector and provides a standard USB port. You then plug your dash cam's USB cable into it. It's a completely plug‑and‑play solution—no cutting, no splicing . One Tacoma owner reported: "The wiring process took me about 5 minutes from start to finish, and I would consider myself a beginner with this type of job."
Note: This provides switched power only—your camera will turn on and off with the ignition. The Wefoka, which has no parking mode, is perfectly suited for this setup.
Option 2: Toyota Genuine Dash Cam (PT949-34222)
The official Toyota dash cam is designed to plug directly into this same 5‑pin connector . It's a front‑only 1080p camera that integrates with the Toyota app. However, owners report that the app can be finicky, and the video quality doesn't match the 4K of aftermarket options. One owner said: "I like the video that it takes but it is tricky to install the app and pair it and use it."
⚡ Battery Safety: Why Switched Power Is Ideal
The factory pre-wire provides switched power—it only activates when the ignition is on. This is a deliberate design choice by Toyota to protect your battery, especially important for the Tacoma hybrid's smaller 12V battery. Aftermarket cams with parking mode can drain a battery if left on constantly. By using the switched pre-wire, you eliminate that risk entirely.
For those who absolutely need parking mode, companies like Dongar are developing adapters with low‑voltage cutoff and timed shut-off features . But for most daily drivers and overlanders, switched power is perfect.
👥 Real Tacoma Owner Experiences
Here's what actual 4th gen Tacoma owners have shared about using the hidden connector:
📊 Comparison: Power Options for 4th Gen Tacoma Dash Cams
| Method | Difficulty | Time | Clean Look | Parking Mode? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory 5‑pin pre-wire + Dongar adapter | Easy | 20–30 min | ✅ Perfect (no visible wires) | ❌ No (switched only) |
| Mirror tap | Moderate | 20–30 min | ✅ Very clean | ❌ No (switched only) |
| Fuse box hardwire | Moderate | 45–60 min | ✅ Clean | ✅ Yes (with constant fuse) |
| Cigarette lighter | Easy | 10 min | ❌ Visible wire | ❌ No |
🔧 The Perfect Match: Wefoka 4K OEM‑Style Dash Cam
The Wefoka 4K Dash Cam is designed specifically for the 2024–2025 Tacoma and is the ideal companion for this hidden power source. It replaces the factory mirror housing, integrates seamlessly, and offers:
Because it has no parking mode, it's perfectly suited to the switched power from the factory pre-wire. You get a factory‑integrated look, stunning video, and a dead‑simple installation—no wires, no hassles.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's been confirmed on multiple trims, including SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and hybrid models. It's part of the factory wiring harness .
Absolutely. The connector provides switched power, which is ideal for the hybrid's smaller 12V battery. The Wefoka's no‑parking‑mode design is a perfect match.
Not directly—it's switched power only. However, companies are developing adapters with battery protection for parking mode that tap into this same connector .
Replacement clips are available. Search for "90467‑09240" online. They're inexpensive.
You can order directly from Dongar Technologies (dongar.tech) or check Amazon. Look for the "Toyota 5-pin" adapter .
📌 Conclusion: Your Tacoma's Secret Is Waiting
The 2024–2025 Toyota Tacoma is packed with advanced engineering—and hidden away above your headliner is a secret that makes dash cam installation easier than ever. That factory 5‑pin connector is your ticket to a completely wire‑free, professional installation. Whether you choose the Toyota OEM camera or a feature‑rich aftermarket integrated cam like the Wefoka 4K OEM‑Style Dash Cam, you can tap into this pre‑wire for a clean, reliable power source.
As one Vine reviewer put it:
So go ahead—grab a trim tool, pop open that console, and discover the connector that makes your Tacoma truly ready for a hidden dash cam.
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