I see lots of posts from folks happy they added a backup camera, and I'm about to do the same to my 1997 when I update the head unit (it supports a camera input). The camera I bought mounts to the license plate frame. I was wondering if anyone has tips to share from their own experiences as to the route to take from the bumper to the dash (and best point of entry through the cab), how to secure/protect the wire, etc. I used to upgrade stereos a lot back in the 80s, but it's been decades since I added wiring to anything, so I'm hoping not to make a mess of things.

 

i hacked into my trailer plug for the reverse light wire. ran bundle along factory wire on driver side frame...up the firewall and thru the rubber "plug" in firewall....used some silicone to "seal" around the wire.

 

I did about the same as Fbird when I added a backup camera to my old 2005 King Ranch. Following the reverse lights wiring is pretty easy and you can secure the new wires (power and video data) to the factory wiring with cable ties. Like Fbird, I powered the camera from the backup light circuit at the rear, but, if you want the camera to be able to be on when you are driving forward (some folks do) then you'd power it from any +12V source that's on when the ignition is on.

Look for a round rubber plug in the firewall on the driver's side, they're usually about an inch in diameter and are rather thin. It's easy to drill a hole in this to bring the wires to the camera inside the cab and up to the dash area.

- Jack

 

READ YOUR directions....usually you SELECT within the recording menu if you want to record BOTH front and rear or..whatever. If you wire the rear camera straight to an ignition on 12v. you will have the REAR CAMERA on as a display in your mirror. Doing this usually PREVENTS the recording capability of the forward camera.

 

That's fine. My old F150 did not have a forward camera, and I only used the backup camera for backing up. My post related to information I read when I mounted mine back in 2008. My camera's display was in the Kenwood head unit screen too, that I had installed to replace the OEM radio, not the rear view mirror.

- Jack

 

I spliced into the reverse lamp for power.

Use split loom to protect the wiring.

I drilled a hole under the door sill plate. A rubber grommet. A little silicone.

In some states, you cannot obstruct the license plate. Some of those license plate mounted cameras block out the state of issue, and the registration stickers.

 

i bought a chinese MIRROR cam. Works great (you need a standard 9 rear view mirror from anything as the factory electronic mirror is 11" ) once you figure out the menu stuff because the instructions are absolutely useless. Even the 2nd one I put in my "extra" vehicle...works great but the instructions = ^&^&*((**(76%^790434dgfyukjo^%^%$$##....lol

 

That stuff on Amazon from China works. At least mine does.

 

the one I got is wireless. it gets powered from the reverse light.

I used my compass for power, and the monitor replaces the rearview mirror

 

REPLACES?...as in physically remove your OEM and install NEW Chineziem .....

or is it a
"STRAP ON" (most are strap ons) and BOTH of mine work very well...after you cipher the so-called directions.

 

What? You can't read Chinese?

 

It's probably Chinglish.

 

Can someone please tell me what color the positive backup wire is? My multimeter took a crap and I don't feel like going to town to get one right now. Thanks!