I am going to tackle the Reverse Sensor Mod this weekend. I am looking for specific mounting locations for the controller (pics would be nice!) and weather/vibration proofing (if any). Also looking for which wire is the hot wire for the reverse light and how/where you tapped in.

Thanks!

 

Are you installing a factory system or aftermarket?

If factory I have noticed most of the connectors are already there. Disable switch connector is behind the Cig Lighter panel, Control unit and speaker goes above the parking brake pedal assembly where the connectors are located. (see diagram in next post)

If aftermarket than that is really easy, I installed one of the ones with the digital readouts (only $60 and works perfectly with "feet" distance readout and displays that show what side the object is on) and only took about an hour. Display unit is mounted on top of the rear view mirror, control unit can go above the taillight in a nice dry locale, and 2 of the senor holes are already in the steel part of the bumper, just not thru the black plastic trim (look on the backside of the bumper just off center of the tag area).

 

Factory Control unit Connector Location :

 

After reading your post more carefully it is now obvious you are installing an aftermarket version.

Remove the drivers side taillight ( I assume you are running the wires from the cab down thru the factory rubber gromment at the drivers door opening and along the factory harness) and look up inside the hollow area above the taillight. This should be the dryest location at the rear of the truck. It is also handy because the reverse light bulb socket/connector is right there and it will be very obvious which wire to use (center connector and black w/pink is hot and black is ground).

 

Thanks 928gt. How did you mount the controller inside of the taillight housing? Is it secured? I was thinking about velcro.
I bought the Pyle unit and will put the display in the empty din in my radio hole...

Regarding the existing holes, are they far enough apart to work properly?

 

BEST LOCATION FOR DISPLAY UNIT, BECAUSE NORMALLY WHEN YOU BACK UP YOU TURN YOUR HEAD TO LOOK OUT THE BACK WINDOW.

 

Thanks TXF150. I have read your posts and saw how you mounted your sensors. You did a really nice job. I only have the two sensor system. Will the system work ok if i just use the two in the black plastic?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Gobra,

>Thanks 928gt.

You are very welcome.

>How did you mount the controller inside of the taillight housing? Is it >secured? I was thinking about Velcro.

I used Velcro also.

>Regarding the existing holes, are they far enough apart to work properly?

Yes, that is where the factory inner ones go and they work perfect for me.

Actually I had a lot of false alarms using the outer sensors because unlike the Factory Original Sensors that have a "wedge base" to keep them level the aftermarket ones without the wedge point slightly downward and give false alarms on sloped driveways etc.
Reason being is the outer side of the bumper where the outer sensors go is sloped instead of perpendicular to the ground.


Here is where I mounted my Display, right where I look when I back up.

 

The way mine is mounted you can also see the display in the rear view mirror if you dont turn your head around every time that you back up.

 

>The way mine is mounted you can also see the display in the rear view mirror if you dont turn your head around every time that you back up.

That is cool, except the digital numbers are "reverse imaged" and probably look like Klingon numbers that way :-)

BTW, I am just "ribbing you", it is actually a smart idea for those that don't want to run the wires all the way to the front and over to the mirror.

 

My daughter's child seat is in the back center seat so that rules that location out!

Which wire is the + and - for the reverse light?

 

Well he has 2 mounting options now, so its up to him to decide where he wants to mount the display unit.

 

>Which wire is the + and - for the reverse light?

Black w/Pink Stripe is "+" and black is "-", should be center connector on tailight when you rmove it.

 

You can add the factory system to the truck even if it did not come with it.. If so would you know the part numbers for it?

I wish my truck had this system from the factory..

Thanks

 

>You can add the factory system to the truck even if it did not come with it..

Yes,

> If so would you know the part numbers for it?

Here is what you get when you search for "Parking AID" on one of the Ford Part websites. I am sure any Ford supplier can get you the exact part numbers.

CONTROL MODULE, F150 04-05 $128.57 $0.00 $108.00
Electrical - Body electrical - Parking Aid - Control module


SENSOR, F150 04-05 $98.93 $0.00 $83.10
Electrical - Body electrical - Parking Aid - Sensor


SWITCH, F150 04-05 $22.68 $0.00 $19.05
Electrical - Body electrical - Parking Aid - Switch


The bigger problem IMHO is the cost for what you get. Start adding those numbers up and you will spend close to $500!!

The systems me and the other guys have been discussing can be bought on Ebay for under $40 and work better than the factory system. The factory system only gives you an audible warning, the systems we are using give you that PLUS a digital readout of distance and what side the object is on.