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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
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.
 

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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.
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
rdhplano said:
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.
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 · (Edited)
gormleyflyer2002 said:
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.
 

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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. . .
 

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

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vertrkr said:
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.
 

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I know it has been a long time since this thread has been used, but I was curious if you would post a picture of what you can see out of your rear view camera. I'm thinking of installing one and am a little torn about where to install it on the tailgate.
 

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Thanks for your input. I read it before I got my camera. Now I'm halfway there. Between that and the instructions it is going fine. All the outside stuff is in, and back togeather. First off I went for your location below the handle. If it works like you say 30' is plenty. Every car or truck I have ever owned is dented in the back from hooking up to trailers (and my Dad's van from a tree when I was a teenager). Yea, and like the other guy said, "I would go nuts if it was off center." One more thing Consumer's magazine says there are 1,800 back up fatalities a year and as these camera's become more common this number should go down.
 

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I've decided to add the Backup Camera to my newly-purchased Ridgeline, but am torn as to where to install it...the stock position or the "Vertrkr-inspired" position in the middle (below the handle). Looks like three ROC'ers (Vertrkr, djdj, and bpante) have installed the camera in the middle...but I haven't seen anyone post any navi screen shots from the camera in this position. What do the three of you think? Are you happy with the camera in the middle? Any downside? Any screen pics available?
 

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We have the OEM off side mount, so I can't answer definitively about the middle mount, but I will say that it's such a wide angle lens it won't make much difference. Our off center view looks centered. You can see the views in the following thread:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563&highlight=back+camera

Look at post #16, 17 & 24 for back up views.

If the off center looks this good, how could the centered view look worse? Hopefully someone who has it centered will post photos for you too.

I also wanted to add in this thread that inspired by vertrkr, we inquired at the dealer about the cost of having the body shop paint our camera housing. We were given an estimate of $45 for a paint matched job. The weather's been too bad and I haven't decided if I want to spend that much money or not, so we haven't done it yet.
 

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Thanks for the quick reply Truckin'...just another demonstration of how helpful the folks on this board are!!! I'd seen the views from your OEM-mounted cam, and was very impressed.

Mounting the cam (as Vertrkr has) lower, and on the flat part of the tailgate, as opposed to the slanted-out top section of the tailgate specified by the OEM, should restrict the view somewhat. Sure...I'd be able to see great when hitching the trailer...but I'm curious if you can see well enough for parallel parking maneuvers?

BTW, Vertrkr has inspired me, as you're considering, to get the camera housing painted. $45 for something I plan to keep for a LONG time sounds okay to me. Thanks again for the post...and for your others on the board, which I've found extremely helpful!
 

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Kiff said:
I've decided to add the Backup Camera to my newly-purchased Ridgeline, but am torn as to where to install it...the stock position or the "Vertrkr-inspired" position in the middle (below the handle). Looks like three ROC'ers (Vertrkr, djdj, and bpante) have installed the camera in the middle...but I haven't seen anyone post any navi screen shots from the camera in this position. What do the three of you think? Are you happy with the camera in the middle? Any downside? Any screen pics available?
I've been meaning to post a pic, just been lazy, I'll do so today if I can. The biggest diff between the two is my middle mount lowers the view angle because it's not mounted on the slant the top of the tailgate has. Not really an issue for me as I use the camera for close in support to check for kids, bikes, what ever. I'd say my mount give you a view of about 50 feet behind you. The regular off-center mount you can see above the horizon line.

I choose the center mount not for having a centered viewing angle but rather just for looks and protection of the camera as I'm always bending over the tailgate and I'm sure I'd hit the camera if it was mounted near the top.
 

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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
Ok, here's the pic of the view with my camera center mounted below the tailgate handle. The quality is bad, had to force a no flash pic as the flash recflected too much off the screen but with no flash it had a long shutter t ime so it's a little blurry and washed out as I couldn't hold the camera steady enough.
 

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Did anyone figure out in the Pilots camera covers fit the Ridgeline?
 

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Thanks vertrkr!! Your new pic answers my question. I believe your central camera mounting position gives a great view out back, so I don't see any downside at all.

I second jmsolt's request....anyone yet determine if the Pilot's camera covers (pre-painted in factory colors) fit the Ridgeline's camera?
 
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