Backup Camera self-install summary

[vertrkr]

It took me 8 hours and is working like a champ. The instructions were good so I'll detail where I deviated from them and where I ran into trouble.

No special tools other than a T-40 and T-45 bit to get the bad panels and hooks off, you can pick those up at most any hardware store for a few bucks.

1. I changed locations of the camera mount to below the handle. No problems doing that, the angle is just fine for me when adjusted to it's max up position. I can see just a bit of my bumper and a good 50 feet behind but not quite the horizon line which is just fine for me.

2. I did not take off the rear bumper. In doing so I did not use one of the two anchor plates which helped strap down the wire harness near the bottom corner of the tailgate. I don't see any trouble here as the harness seems to stay in place and not binding on the bumper, save a bunch of time doing this.

3. I did not take off the top roof cover. The only reason I see for this is for easier removal of the bed cover that holds the upper cargo light. That piece came out and back in no problem without having to remove the top roof cover.

4. The directions specify a torque of 25 ft lbs for the 6 bolts that hold the rear seat in. I think this is incorrect as the Service Manual states a 35 ft lb torque and must be re-installed in a certain sequence. When putting the rear seat back in install the bolts in this order. (1) center left (2) center right (3) left lower (4) right lower (5) left upper (6) right upper.

5. I broke some clips that held down the top tailgate plastic cover. There's about 20 of them. To remove them I found it's best to rotate them 45 degrees and then pull out else you'll probably snap one of it's teeth off. They are in square holes so rotating them so the two teeth are at the corners allows them to come out easily.

5.5. Connecting the two wire harnesses together at the back seat area should be done carefully. I noticed the small metal connector leads appeared to be directional meaning if put in upside down they might not make a good contact. Wish I would have taken a picture of that as it difficult to explain. One of the 4 sides of the metal connector seemed to have a clip of sorts on it and looking into the white harness connector I could see which way was best to put them in. When I inserted them I did hear a faint click so I knew I had a good connection. Then I fastened the lock on the white harness connector and was good to go. You'll see what I mean when you get to this step.

6. Installing the wire harness under the driver seat carpet was a bit of trick. I had to use some stiff wire and feed it under the carpet starting from under the seat to the door jam. Then I taped the wire harness to the stiff wire and pulled it back thru.

7. Install everything back together in reverse order and your done.

8. An un-documented feature is you can adjust the screen brightness when the camera is on using the Zoom button on the LCD display, up is brighter and down is dimmer.

[vertrkr]

One more pic of the back and view screen.

[zero]

Very nice. It looks like it was a lot of work. You have more guts than I do. I could not even think if tearing apart a $30k+ vehicle myself.

[rdhplano]

Congratulations!!! Looks good. Did you have any problems with the connector behind the back seat?? Did you leave it or hardwire??

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by rdhplano

Congratulations!!! Looks good. Did you have any problems with the connector behind the back seat?? Did you leave it or hardwire??

It worked as is for me so I didn't need to hard wire them. I did notice the small metal connector leads appeared to be directional meaning if put in upside down they might not make a good contact. Wish I would have taken a picture of that as it difficult to explain. One of the 4 sides of the metal connector seemed to have a clip of sorts on it and looking into the white harness connector I could see which way was best to put them in. When I inserted them I did hear a faint click so I knew I had a good connection. Then I fastened the lock on the white harness connector and was good to go.

[gormleyflyer2002]

Very nice work vert.

1/ Are there a lot of special tools required...??

2/ Other pics I have seen show the camera of center towards the passenger side. Centered seems like a better idea, is there a reason why they have it off centered...??

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by gormleyflyer2002

Very nice work vert.
1/ Are there a lot of special tools required...??
2/ Other pics I have seen show the camera of center towards the passenger side. Centered seems like a better idea, is there a reason why they have it off centered...??

No special tools other than a T-40 and T-45 bit to get the bad panels and hooks off, you can pick those up at most any hardware store for a few bucks.

Can't mount the camera in the center above the handle as you'd hit it everytime you open the tailgate down, try it, you'll see what I mean. Having it high might give a slight better field of view possibly but I'm totally satisfied with the field of view I have with it down low. I can't see the horizon in the screen but I can still see a good 50 feet behind which is all I need since I'm only concerned about close objects.

I also didn't want it mounted up high as I think it's much more prone to damage being close to the edge. I'd probably knock it off with something eventually loading the bed with crap which I often do.

[Truckin']

I hope my DH doesn't come across this photo. He wanted ours mounted in the middle too. It looks MUCH nicer. Good work, V. I admire you.

From another Steel Blue owner. . .

[shovelhd]

Nice pix, vertrkr. The pile of kids toys in the corner is a classic. I can relate.

[Truckin']

Originally Posted by vertrkr

8. An un-documented feature is you can adjust the screen brightness when the camera is on using the Zoom button on the LCD display, up is brighter and down is dimmer.

I love this un-documented tip. I think this will help when pulling into shade or partial shade, the only time I've had trouble seeing what we're backing up toward.