Back Up Camera...........

Goose

Well-known Member

• Jan 6, 2016

• #1

Has anyone ever installed an aftermarket backup camera in a minivan?

I don't know why I do this to myself, but I gave my wife one for Christmas for her Chrysler T&C. The camera screws to the license plate in the middle of the lift gate, but is actuated by the backup lights. So--you have to thread the wires from the center of the lift gate up over the top and down to one of the backup lights. Which means pulling all the interior panels loose. The right side will be easier, 'cause the motor and mechanism for the power lift gate is on the left side.

The monitor in front will be simple. I'll just put it in the lower left corner of the windshield and run hard wires through the door jamb to a terminal in the fuse panel that goes on and off with the ignition.

A line on the box says, "Installs in minutes". Yeah, right. But, I like to do a professional job instead of just stringing wires out in the open. A passenger car would be simpler because all the wires are right there in the trunk. Ironic part is, the photo on the box shows it on an SUV in the middle of a lift gate.

 

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big fred

Well-known Member

• Jan 6, 2016

• #1

Installs in minutes. 400 of them.

 

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huntingreen2day2

Member

• Jan 6, 2016

• #1

works better if you power the monitor off the backup lights also. If you don't do that the monitor is on all the time.

 

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806man

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

I installed one for my Mother in her new Accord she got and yes to make it look right you will need to conceal the wiring under those panels. Not a big price to pay if it keeps someone from being in an accident. Just take your time and have a clean install. Each time you are in an close quarters you will be glad you got it !

 

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1970-1655

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

I put one on my daughter's Chrysler T&C van. It did take a little time to make it look factory but was worth it. Several times, she saw a kid that would not listen to parents (or parents were not watching them) and ran behind her as she was backing up. If it will save just 1, it is worth the time to install it.

 

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Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

I put one on my tractor cab, because it is getting harder and harder to turn my neck to look back. It was easy. A wire up from fuse panal and a toggle switch to power both camera and monitor. It was lots cheaper than those "Cab Cams" that are for sale at the farm stores.
Loren

 

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rfridy76

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Don't they make wireless cameras?

 

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OP

Goose

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

First thing I asked was, "How many minutes?"

 

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daisyman

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Redneck installation...... Buy a drop cord at Wal Mart, wire it to the back up light, run it on the outside up to an S hook at the top of the antenna and back down to the license plate. Preload it off the antenna so when the door comes up it will pull it up out of the way. Time involved, about 10 minutes! And you can maybe even find a cord that matches the color of your SUV. LOL

 

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rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Wire it so the camera is ON whenever the engine is running. You'll like it a lot better that way, and it is easier to install. That is how I did both of our Silverados.

 

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mj

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

(quoted from post at 07:45:26 01/07/16) Don't they make wireless cameras?

Click to expand...

Yes and some B/u cameras have them but from what I've read the image on the screen is pretty bad. 8)

 

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jeffcat

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Had to rent a vehicle for two days. Town and country mini van with EVERY bell and whistle you could stick on it. Had the rear camera that turns on when you put it in reverse. Really neat and even was pretty good at night with the back up lites.

 

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dhermesc

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

We have one on my wife's new minivan - actually puts a pretty good picture - even when the back of the van is filthy.

 

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ObsoElitist

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

(quoted from post at 06:45:26 01/07/16) Don't they make wireless cameras?

Click to expand...

They transmit wireless, but need a power lead, so you might as well hardwire it and not get static on screen

 

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Dieselbreath

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

My wife drives a 2012 Kia with a backup camera and proximity sensors, but she has still managed to forget to raise the garage door before attempting to back out. Twice. When I confronted her, she said she wished it had those features. I went outside to look, and sure enough, they were working good. Oh, well.

 

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GeneMO

Well-known Member

Location

Pilot Grove, Mo.

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Took me and the SIL about two hours to put one in my Nissan Titan.

We never could get the little mount thingy to work right, ended up making a mount for the camera out of thin aluminum.

Works good.

Gene

 

OP

OP

Goose

Well-known Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

Thanks for the responses. I've had the interior panels off the liftgate on my Dodge Grand Caravan (same vehicle, different name) a year or so ago when the electric latch failed, so the panels to get to the inside of the right tail light are the only unknown.

Soon as I can get the vehicle away from my wife for a day or so, I'll give it a shot.

 

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ztrmower

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

camera in skidloader any one did it. got new unit going put camera in just wonder if someone already has and any suggestions.

 

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Frank41

Member

• Jan 7, 2016

• #1

I have a $20 wireless on my F250 to line the GN ball up. Hooked it to the backup light and ran the wire to the camera in the center of the front bed rail. I jut plug it in when I need it, as it has a backup camera that does not do much good when the tail gate is down.

I have air bags on this 2011 to make it run level. The truck sets a lot in the winter and the compressor will run the battery down. I pull the fuse on the battery.