varnco

2013 f150, XLT, SuperCrew, no trailer package, just plane jane mirror.

Okay, so I've installed an aftermarket rear view mirror and backup camera.

The Mirror has 12v+, 12- and a gray activation wire on it and they're run to the drivers kick panel area. Ground to chassis is easy, but where is the best for the ignition switched 12V+ and can someone point me to the backup light wire color, so I can tap it with the grey wire?

The camera has a 12v+ and ground wire. My F150 came with just the 4 point trailer harness. Can I tap the main harness (under the truck) where the 4 point joins the main harness and draw 12v from there, so the camera only turns on when in reverse?

I know I can tap the 12v at the tail light itself but think it may be easier at the trailer harness? Looking for opinions here.

Finally, at the tailgate area of the truck, is there any constant source of 12v+, if the truck is running? I thought about maybe the camera runs all the time the truck is running rather than it turning on/off with taillights, and just have the mirror LCD switch on/off when in reverse?

Thanks!

varnco

Well, searching the interweb, it appears that black wire with pink or purple stripe is the one for backup. Someone else had posted grenn/brown wire too, though.

varnco

Anyone know of a better place to splice in power for rearview camera other than the tail light area?

I'm a bit worried as the wires for the camera are super-thin, not very robust.

Thanks

fordtruckman2003

Split wrap solder.
Careful cut to remove insulation.
Careful probe through wire to separate strands.
Insert your tiny stripped wires through hole and wrap several times.
Solder.
Liquid tape to seal and electric tape wrapping new wire parallel with tapped wire.

varnco

Perfect! Thanks.
[off to store to get liquid tape]

fordtruckman2003

Been tapping wires like that for years without any problems. I like to do it that way because no cutting factory wiring.
You could probably skip the liquid tape but I do things overkill. LOL.
Just be careful with cutting the insulation back on the wire your tapping into.

varnco

Done. It went smoothly except the part where I used plumbers grease as flux and couldn't figure out why the solder wasn't flowing.

The jars look very similar as well as the contents.

Ugh!

varnco

Okay, so I powered the rear view mirror using the backup sensor connector, per the thread here:

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/whats-connection-298749/

Now, I need to connect the power connector wire so when I put the truck into reverse, it turns on the LCD on the mirror.

Someone said to tap the blue and white wire that runs in the driver's side channel. Can someone confirm?

Someone else said to tap the black and pink strip wire in the driver's kick plate, near the emergency brake.

Someone posted a picture that shows a screw holding a plastic plate and to find a black wire with pink stripe, and to remove the bolt. Mine (2nd picture) doesn't have a bolt, but a stupid clip of sorts that I will break trying to get it off, as I always break the darn clips.

Thoughts on how to get this removed? 2013 F150 XLT.

fordtruckman2003

Those connectors look a lot different.
Might want to confirm that wire is there on 2013.
Most those wires go into the channel under plastic sill plate so you might find wire there.

varnco

Ya, I was hoping someone with a 2013 would chime in. I really can't see the group of wires from the backside to see if there's a black/pink wire.

To see the back, I need to remove this clip, and I've tried, just afraid I'm going to break it, because car connectors always break on me.... always.