"Temporary" Wired Backup Camera Addition (Ford)
I've been wanting to install a backup camera for some time but hadn't because I wanted it to work with the large Ford display in the console and hadn't gotten around to figuring out the wiring. In addition I thought the perfect location for the camera was over the door of the camper. However, I wasn't at all sure how to route the wires internally through the camper and I really didn't want to start taking the camper apart to figure it out. You have probably heard the saying: "The enemy of the good is the perfect". This last week I decided I should just go ahead and do something and quit worrying about getting it perfect, at least in the first iteration.
I went ahead and ordered this backup camera and harness:
Backup camera (Ford)
It came with a camera attached to a short cable ending in a 4 pin connector, a 32 foot cable with 4 pin connectors on either end, and a 3 foot harness with a four pin connector on one end and the Ford tailgate camera connector on the other.
I went ahead and attached the camera to the railing on the roof using some pipe insulation and two hose clamps:
I then routed the cable across the roof along the railing supports, down between the gutters, down the ladder supports, across to and then down the rear jack, and under the camper to a S clip which gathered up the extra cable and was attached to a hook on the side of the truck bed. The end of the cable was plugged into the harness which plugged into the truck connector. I attached everything using zip ties and was careful in the routing to not interfere with the use of the ladder, awning, or anything else.
I know it's not pretty but for an hours work what a difference. The camera seems to be high quality, it works great and realty makes a difference in maneuvering the truck and camper. Shift into reverse and you have a great big view of what's back there. I just wish I had done it months ago.
Some notes for version #2 when I can get around to making some changes.
- I can't quite see the bumper because of the rolled up awning. I might try rotating the camera mounting horizontally instead of vertically to see if that allows it to see the bumper.
- The camera is high quality but does not have the "distance marks" the tailgate camera has. That would be a plus.
- I'm told that the Ford camera is always on and when you shift to reverse power is applied to a wire from the steering column that runs to the display console to tell it to show the camera instead of the normal stuff. It seems like I should be able to tap into the line and use an upfitter switch to also supply power allowing the display switch to the camera whenever I like. Another project possibility.
- As I noted I thought putting the camera over the door would be an ideal location but I'm not sure how to route the wire behind the plastic strip that also holds the clearance lights (anybody know on an AF?). In looking at the camper I'm wondering why not just mount the camera underneath the Fox Landing?
When flipped up for travel it looks like a pretty good location and maybe somewhat protected from road debris. It would be an easy and clean cable routing. Any thoughts? Is that too low?
Anyway, even at this point I'm pretty happy how my "temporary" backup camera has turned out.
I went ahead and ordered this backup camera and harness:
Backup camera (Ford)
It came with a camera attached to a short cable ending in a 4 pin connector, a 32 foot cable with 4 pin connectors on either end, and a 3 foot harness with a four pin connector on one end and the Ford tailgate camera connector on the other.
I went ahead and attached the camera to the railing on the roof using some pipe insulation and two hose clamps:
I then routed the cable across the roof along the railing supports, down between the gutters, down the ladder supports, across to and then down the rear jack, and under the camper to a S clip which gathered up the extra cable and was attached to a hook on the side of the truck bed. The end of the cable was plugged into the harness which plugged into the truck connector. I attached everything using zip ties and was careful in the routing to not interfere with the use of the ladder, awning, or anything else.
I know it's not pretty but for an hours work what a difference. The camera seems to be high quality, it works great and realty makes a difference in maneuvering the truck and camper. Shift into reverse and you have a great big view of what's back there. I just wish I had done it months ago.
Some notes for version #2 when I can get around to making some changes.
- I can't quite see the bumper because of the rolled up awning. I might try rotating the camera mounting horizontally instead of vertically to see if that allows it to see the bumper.
- The camera is high quality but does not have the "distance marks" the tailgate camera has. That would be a plus.
- I'm told that the Ford camera is always on and when you shift to reverse power is applied to a wire from the steering column that runs to the display console to tell it to show the camera instead of the normal stuff. It seems like I should be able to tap into the line and use an upfitter switch to also supply power allowing the display switch to the camera whenever I like. Another project possibility.
- As I noted I thought putting the camera over the door would be an ideal location but I'm not sure how to route the wire behind the plastic strip that also holds the clearance lights (anybody know on an AF?). In looking at the camper I'm wondering why not just mount the camera underneath the Fox Landing?
When flipped up for travel it looks like a pretty good location and maybe somewhat protected from road debris. It would be an easy and clean cable routing. Any thoughts? Is that too low?
Anyway, even at this point I'm pretty happy how my "temporary" backup camera has turned out.
