Back up camera install on 8.4

[Mcgusto82]

Sorry for the delayed and poorly illustrated post.

Ok, so I installed a back up cam on my wife's 8.4 uConnect.

The uConnect is actually a retrofit also.

I used the lockpick c8 module - 185ish $ from another member

And a universal camera from eBay E366 model number 18 $

The instal is pretty straight fwd. I drilled a small hole at the center of where the license plate bulbs go.

The cam has one cable lead that goes to a connector where it splits to +/- and RCA.

I used a metal clothes hanger to assist in getting the cable thru the rubber accordion from the hatch to the cab. I also used same hanger and ran the cable thru the headliner by opening the overhead lights and rear AC control for access points.

That's the lockpick and RCA connected.

Here, if you look closely, you'll see the lockpick stashed above and behind the radio. (you want to place the radio back before you try to fit the lockpick inside)

Now the lockpick offers 3 Cam inputs, front, aux, side, and rear. (3 because you can only have 3 connected, you loose aux if you set the turn signal cam), and it has it's own power supply for all of those.

The cam I bought has a power line (+) built the RCA.

I think that wire is meant to signal the receiver when the Cam is on. But when I had used the wires at the rear hatch, I had display issues.

But thru some troubleshooting, I found I can power the cam thru that wire.

Because of some issues, I ended up using that wire for power, and connected my ground at the rear hatch bundle.

There are a few ground wires. They are a hard black insulated wire. (easy to break, VERY)

I cut, and crimped connectors at both ends with one extra cable going to the cam ground.

It's a time consuming mod. But worth the time and $$<

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z361/memin82/3BA9403D-595E-48AE-8108-B989944F6F21-2410-0000027158139CD9.jpg

If you go the same route as I, take the rear hatch plastic cover all the way off, I tried to partially pull it down, but I just ended up scrapping my arms.

Also, the cam is nice and pretty, but I'm not convinced. The video at night with poor lighting is crummy, and the view angle is rather low.

On my caravan, I can drive backwards with the just the camera.

So let me know what you guys think.

Edited April 12, 2013 by Mcgusto82