Got my service manual - decided to self-install camera

4479 Views 21 Replies 11 Participants Last post by rdhplano, May 15, 2005

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2005

Now that I have the service manual I feel a little more confident and I'm going to install the back up camera myself, have it on order now. I'm going to make a slight change and mount it directly beneith the tailgate handle in the center. I'll also finish up my radar backup sensors at the same time as I'll be running the same wires thru the back, didn't want to rip apart everything twice. Probably be a week or two but of course I'll post info & pics when done.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Blue

· #2 · May 12, 2005

vertrkr,

For towing, can you install a optional camera behind the trailer for backing up?

Otherwise, you would be looking at a same thing backing up when you tow. I think the back up camera is even more helpful for towing. It would be great that the optional camera is detachable so you can use it for multiple trailers.

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 12, 2005

Blue said:
vertrkr,
For towing, can you install a optional camera behind the trailer for backing up?
Otherwise, you would be looking at a same thing backing up when you tow. I think the back up camera is even more helpful for towing. It would be great that the optional camera is detachable so you can use it for multiple trailers.

Well, with some modifications I don't see why one couldn't do that. You'd have to snip the wires near the camera and solder on some quick connects. Then you could buy some extra wire and mount that on the trailer. Then you should be able to move the camera back & forth with relative ease. I typically only tow about once year to take my boat in for service (it lives at the docks) so I won't be doing this but for others it might be worth it.

csimo

· #4 · May 12, 2005

Here are the installation instructions. A MAJOR surgery job!

https://hondacuraworld.hostasaurus.com/Merchant2/instructions/ridgeline/rearcameraattachment.pdf

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 12, 2005

csimo said:
Here are the installation instructions. A MAJOR surgery job!
https://hondacuraworld.hostasaurus.com/Merchant2/instructions/ridgeline/rearcameraattachment.pdf

Ya, overwhelming at first glance but taken a step at a time it's not going to be so bad. I've already taken my bed panels, bumper and rear seats off for other things so I know what I'm in for. I'd much rather do it myself than pay the dealer gobs of money to do it. We might each break the same sort of stuff but at least if I do it I know what to replace, I fear the techs would rather try to hide it if possible.

JulesK

· #6 · May 12, 2005

Aren't you worried that after you have added all these things which could add up to about 500 pounds weight to your truck, what it might do to your gas mileage? ( Just kidding)
I really admire your courage to tackle these add-ons

zero

· #7 · May 13, 2005

You have got some guts Vertrkr. I didn't have the stomach to try that install. Putting on the body side protector panels is more my speed.

shovelhd

· #8 · May 13, 2005

I got my service manual today. Unfortunately it looks like it was karate chopped by a master. I'll have to call Helm tomorrow.

T Mac

· #9 · May 13, 2005

vertrkr - can you post a how-to with pics for this?

Truckin'

· #10 · May 13, 2005

You're a brave man. We got ours back from the shop late today with our camera installed. I'm glad to have someone I could hire for that job. Even the Honda workers raved about how much they love the look of our truck!

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 13, 2005

T Mac said:
vertrkr - can you post a how-to with pics for this?

Sure thing, guess I can't chicken out now

Blue

· #12 · May 13, 2005

I distinctly remember that you were going to put camera on the bed shell top instead of the swing tail gate.

I still think the view from the bed shell is better than the gate.

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 13, 2005

Blue said:
I distinctly remember that you were going to put camera on the bed shell top instead of the swing tail gate.
I still think the view from the bed shell is better than the gate.

The problem is I might need to take the shell off from time to time, have in the past with my other trucks. So then, under the tail gate handle it goes I've decided. It will be about at the same height as my Ody one and it works just fine so I don't anticipate any trouble.

Truckin'

· #14 · May 13, 2005

Is there any speculation about why Honda designed it to be off center to the right of the tailgate handle?

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 13, 2005

Truckin' said:
Is there any speculation about why Honda designed it to be off center to the right of the tailgate handle?

I've certainly given that some thought. If it's placed directly above the handle it would get in the way when you drop the tailgate down as your arm naturally slides against the tailgate in that spot when lowering it. I just don't see any problem with it being right below the handle though so that's where I'm putting it. It's such a wide angle camera lowering it down 6" should have little effect on my field of view.

swampler

· #16 · May 13, 2005

Truckin' said:
Is there any speculation about why Honda designed it to be off center to the right of the tailgate handle?

Just a guess, but to be offset from the trailer hitch? To make sure the camera doesn't hit a trailer if you put the tailgate down while a trailor is hooked up...if that's even possible.

rdhplano

· #17 · May 15, 2005

fyi ---
Self installed my camera yesterday --- 10 hours. Not a particularly hard job, just time consuming and takes a lot of patience. First 3 hours were taking parts off! The Honda instructions are great with the added comments from this forum.

I would add the following.
1. Before disconnecting the battery -- move the seats forward and high as they can go. This is needed to access the basestation and give enough room to take the seat out.
2. After step 59 (not before) try the camera and make sure it works. Do not put anything back on till you do. I lost 4 hours because my camera unit did not work because the 6 pin connector was faulty. I had put the back seat back on when I found the unit was not working. The unit would go blank when put in reverse. Traced the signal back to the connector under the back seat and had to take it off again , I hardwired the two cables together and removed the 6 pin connector. I totally removed the connector because I could jiggle it and get an intermintent connection. As far as I could tell, I had the connector totally together. It works great now. However, If anyone develops a blank screen or intermitent screen when backing up, I would check this connection.

The truck is back together and the camera works great!!! I did locate the camera where recommended on the tailgate. I was afraid that I would hit something ont the trailer if I centered it under the handle when.

See less See more

WhiteRTLnav

· #18 · May 15, 2005

I believe that the reason the backup camera is mounted off-center is because it is the same camera that is used on the Honda Pilot, and is mounted just to the right of the license plate. Therefore, if they mount it in the same place on the Ridgeline, they do not have to use a different camera.

vertrkr

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 15, 2005

rdhplano said:
fyi ---
Self installed my camera yesterday --- 10 hours. Not a particularly hard job, just time consuming and takes a lot of patience. First 3 hours were taking parts off! The Honda instructions are great with the added comments from this forum.

Thanks for the info rdhplano. Do you think it's totally necessary to take the back bumper off? I know a cut is specified in it but I'm thinking it could be done in place. I know it's not necesarry to take the plastic roof panel off as the directions specify. I've already removed the panel the upper cargo light is in and it has just 1 clip that goes into the roof panel which came out without having to remove the roof panel. I'm hoping ther rear bumper is the same, already took it off once, don't want to do it again if not needed.

As for the connector, I learned from installing the fog lights these can be deceiving. There's a nylon lock piece that has to come out of the connector housing before inserting the wires. You can insert the wires without taking it out but the connections are loose and not secure. Wonder if that's the same case here.

rdhplano

· #20 · May 15, 2005

I did not take the bumper off. It seemed like a lot of effort to get to one bolt. So I tied it well to the bundle of wires behind the left light.

I did take the nylon lock piece off before putting the pins in and reinstalled after. I still can not figure why it did not work. Anyway, I have a solid fix now and the connector is not needed. I soldered it well.

Good luck on your install

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.