Well, I finally did something that can actually count as a mod and --in my opinion-- it came out pretty damn good.


Installed an aftermarket reverse sensor kit and and LED display. The display shows the distance (in feet) and direction (left/right):


click for larger image


click for larger image


I got this setup on eBay for about $40 from HK-Plus . I had to wait about 10 days for the airmail from Hong Kong, but it was exactly as promised in the factory box.

The LED display shows the distance in feet (to impact, I presume) and has the proximity meters for the left and right sensors. The LED unit also beeps (similar to the factory unit - faster as you get closer) but that can be disabled if you wanted.

 

I've got the same model. I like your mount better than mine though. What did you use to stick the display to the mirror? I put mine dead center top on the mirror and it's got a gap on either side, I like your method.

 

Good looking setup. I looked at those on ebay and they look pretty cool. How many sensors did you use, 2 or 4? Did you drill your bumper or go with stick ons? Enquiring minds want to know!

 

It came with double-stick tape, so I just stuck it to the mirror, just slightly behind the lip and off-center to the left. I wanted to put it dead center, but - as you said - it was going to have a gap underneath both edges, so off-center to the left it is.

This is the two sensor setup, as the four seemed a little overkill, in my opinion. I drilled the holes (22mm) and installed the sensors. I showed a couple people at work today and they asked which dealership installed it. The drilled ones definitely look more "stock" than the stick-ons.

 

thanks for the post!! i have been looking at that on ebay for months, is it accurate??

 

Nice Mod!
Tell us about the install, pretty straight forward?

 

Nice set up. Tell us how well it works. I could actually really use that when trying to get out of my driveway from the garage.

 

TXnole,
Is this the kit that you bought?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6779

 

Does it only show ft or can you toggle to cm (metric) also.

The ebay ad says:

3 different alarm stage at

area between 0.75m and 1.15m...Bi-Bi, twice a second
between 0.35m and 0.75m...Bi-Bi-Bi, 3 times a second
between 0.35m or less...Bi-Bi-Bi-Bi-Bi, 5 times a second

 

Nice installation! It looks like this mod would help cover the corners where my backup cam can't see. Hmmmm......

 

Nice clean install Kevin, but I wouldn't be caught dead in a hat like that.

 

Very nice man, I'm jealous.

Could you give a quick overview of difficulty and time to install? I am contemplating getting the same kit as you.

Thanks!

 

What about towing a boat will this constantly beep while in reverse launching?

 

Pretty cool, please give us the lowdown on install and how well it works.

Just between me and you, don't let anyone else here know that I asked because I've often said that I didn't order reverse sensing when I bought my truck because I didn't need it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Here's a quick rundown of the install & my experience so far:

INSTALL
I purchased the kit to drill in the sensors to the bumper. They also market a stick on, but I wanted a factory look. I measured the holes as per the directions. It was pretty simple to find the correct spots on our bumpers because the surface is relatively flat. The drill bit (22mm) comes with the kit. It's plenty sharp enough to drill the holes and it went pretty quickly.

The wiring is included and relatively straight-forward. There are two lines from each sensor which plug directly into the "brain". A red & black runs from "brain" to the reverse indicator. I simply spliced mine into the reverse lights on the right hand side (inside the turn signal cover) near the bulb.

The "brain" was intended to go inside the trunk, so I had to rig up a waterproof box in order to mount it under the bed of the truck, just back of the spare tire.

One wire goes from the "brain" to the cab, and I encased this in a 7' protective wrap and strung it under the bed. I entered the cab just below the rear suicide door, but there are several rubber stoppers that you can pull and wire into the cab. I ran the wire under the door jam and up the A frame & liner to the rear view mirror. The display is held in place by double stick tape.


PERFORMANCE
The thing is very accurate. It measures & displays in feet. When it says 1.6 feet - you're about 18" away every time. It only activates when you're in reverse. The beeping is an acceptable pitch and volume - just enough to be there. I've heard others say they have disconnected the audio, and that would be simple enough to do by opening the display and removing it. The display can be unplugged if you wanted to disable it, as someone mentioned having it go off while towing. I'm finding that I'm relying on it more and more, as I generally get a little gunshy about 3 feet away from something, now I'm more comfortable easing it back just a little more. Very nice for those "hard to mirror" areas.


And about the hat - when in Mexico......