Adding Front Camera to XLT
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I want to install front camera on my Lariat 2016
Hi Guys this is Julio, I have an F150 Lariat 4WD this one don't come with front camera from factory and I want to install, some body have the pictures or diagrams ?
I've been wanting to add a front camera to my '16 XLT that will display on the stock Sync 3 screen. The complexity of the system and CAN bus communication means it won't be easy to do in any way (as far as I know), but here is my best idea:
1) Install aftermarket camera in front grille and route video wires out of the engine compartment.
2) Find the video wires coming from the stock backup cam and cut into them.
3) Find a wire that is powered only when truck is in reverse and tap into it for a reverse powered wire.
4) Run all these wires (front video, rear video, reverse powered) into a relay, with the relay connecting back into the cut backup cam video wires that lead back to what looks like the APIM (i.e. back to Sync 3). The relay will be set up to switch between the front and rear video signals when it detects a current (from the reverse powered wire).
5) Turn on the Reverse Delay setting for the backup cam, which keeps the camera on for a brief time after shifting out of reverse.
If I'm thinking this through correctly, after I shift out of reverse the relay will switch the signal from the backup cam to the front cam. Also, with Reverse Delay on, the Sync 3 screen will still display the camera image, which will now be the front camera. It's not a perfect system, as it means when I want to see the front camera view I have to stop, shift briefly into reverse, and then back into drive. But this is the best I can think of without the 360 cam or getting an aftermarket headunit/screen.
Anyone see any issues with this or better ways of doing it? I'd ideally like to have a button to press that will show front camera at any time, but can't figure out how to do that.
Anyone interested in pics if I do this project?
1) Install aftermarket camera in front grille and route video wires out of the engine compartment.
2) Find the video wires coming from the stock backup cam and cut into them.
3) Find a wire that is powered only when truck is in reverse and tap into it for a reverse powered wire.
4) Run all these wires (front video, rear video, reverse powered) into a relay, with the relay connecting back into the cut backup cam video wires that lead back to what looks like the APIM (i.e. back to Sync 3). The relay will be set up to switch between the front and rear video signals when it detects a current (from the reverse powered wire).
5) Turn on the Reverse Delay setting for the backup cam, which keeps the camera on for a brief time after shifting out of reverse.
If I'm thinking this through correctly, after I shift out of reverse the relay will switch the signal from the backup cam to the front cam. Also, with Reverse Delay on, the Sync 3 screen will still display the camera image, which will now be the front camera. It's not a perfect system, as it means when I want to see the front camera view I have to stop, shift briefly into reverse, and then back into drive. But this is the best I can think of without the 360 cam or getting an aftermarket headunit/screen.
Anyone see any issues with this or better ways of doing it? I'd ideally like to have a button to press that will show front camera at any time, but can't figure out how to do that.
Anyone interested in pics if I do this project?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 395
From: Great Lake State
You can add a separate screen with a camera for about $50 via Amazon.
I'll be tearing out my Cameras & Module. Although, I loved it when it worked. It has just become too expensive and a major pain in the *** to keep replacing Modules because of updates from Ford. Rostra is not standing behind there Module's with updates to keep pace with the Ford updates. They tell ya not to update yer Sync...BS, there may be good reasons to update or if ya tell the service writer not to do it, then when ya P/U yer vehicle and it was updated anyway...Well!!!...I'm Tapping Out!
Last edited by Husker; Jun 25, 2018 at 06:44 PM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 886
Originally Posted by Husker
I'll be tearing out my Cameras & Module. Although, I loved it when it worked. It has just become too expensive and a major pain in the *** to keep replacing Modules because of updates from Ford. Rostra is not standing behind there Module's with updates to keep pace with the Ford updates. They tell ya not to update yer Sync...BS, there may be good reasons to update or if ya tell the service writer not to do it, then when ya P/U yer vehicle and it was updated anyway...Well!!!...I'm Tapping Out!
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Hi, I have read this forum regarding all the issues with updates on the camera and trying to add it to the various versions of Sync. However, does anyone have part numbers, options or success adding/wiring the front camera to a base XL model F150 if it has an aftermarket double din stereo that has the camera inputs built into the aftermarket unit? I have a 2016 F150 SCab XL model base truck and I upgraded the center dash display to the PAC audio center display unit and added a higher end Panasonic double DIN unit with multiple video inputs. I added the tailgate mounted backup camera and it works great. I would like to add a front camera and I would prefer to take advantage of any existing wiring or mounts on the truck. Thanks in advance!
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 433
Likes: 241
There won't likely be any existing wiring to take advantage of in a base model. The factory camera mount is integral to the grill of the higher-optioned trucks. As short as that run will be, I bet an aftermarket camera won't take very long to install at all.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 332
For a 2015 XLT (Sync2), is this all I need to get a front camera working?
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...-displays.html
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...a-display.html
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...-displays.html
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...a-display.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I was on the Rostra web site and noticed that they have a 250-8455 model available which covers any sync3 software version. My system now requires me to use the 250-8453, but I'm thinking of playing it safe and just getting the 250-8455 model right off the bat.
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 433
Likes: 241
For a 2015 XLT (Sync2), is this all I need to get a front camera working?
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...-displays.html
https://camera-source.com/2015-f150-...-displays.html
"***Your factory grille will have to be swapped with a different grille that is designed to mount the camera assembly and this grille is NOT included in the kit.***"
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
I guess I should do a "long time lurker first time poster" intro :-)
I've got a 2013 F-150 Platinum and a 2015 Mustang Limited Edition that I had LockPick's installed on previously with MyFordTouch for using a front camera on both vehicles. I just recently did the Sync3 upgrade on my Mustang (F-150 parts are waiting to be installed) and had been monitoring this thread for a front camera module that works with v3.0 software on Sync3. I ordered the new Rostra 250-8455 mentioned a couple of posts up and received it Tuesday this week. Dropped my car at the service place that has done all the work (including mods) on my car yesterday to install the module and when they installed it the Sync3 screen was black. They tried the programming options listed in the install instructions (long press talk button to launch settings menu) to see if maybe it was defaulted to the HDMI input that didn't have a signal, but that did nothing. When they pulled the module and wiring late yesterday and the screen was still black. So either the Rostra 250-8455 module blew my Sync3 module or LCD screen when it was hooked up, or they somehow knocked something else loose. Given this Rostra module directly injects a video signal between the Sync3 APIM and LCD screen via a video splitter I'm wondering if it send an overloaded signal that blew the screen.
Regardless, I'm apparently the guinea pig for Sync3 v3.0 with this new Rostra 250-8455 module, so I'm happy to update on my situation as it evolves, or if anyone has any ideas about what may have happened (including stupid easy stuff it could be), please let me know!
Thanks
Ralph
I've got a 2013 F-150 Platinum and a 2015 Mustang Limited Edition that I had LockPick's installed on previously with MyFordTouch for using a front camera on both vehicles. I just recently did the Sync3 upgrade on my Mustang (F-150 parts are waiting to be installed) and had been monitoring this thread for a front camera module that works with v3.0 software on Sync3. I ordered the new Rostra 250-8455 mentioned a couple of posts up and received it Tuesday this week. Dropped my car at the service place that has done all the work (including mods) on my car yesterday to install the module and when they installed it the Sync3 screen was black. They tried the programming options listed in the install instructions (long press talk button to launch settings menu) to see if maybe it was defaulted to the HDMI input that didn't have a signal, but that did nothing. When they pulled the module and wiring late yesterday and the screen was still black. So either the Rostra 250-8455 module blew my Sync3 module or LCD screen when it was hooked up, or they somehow knocked something else loose. Given this Rostra module directly injects a video signal between the Sync3 APIM and LCD screen via a video splitter I'm wondering if it send an overloaded signal that blew the screen.
Regardless, I'm apparently the guinea pig for Sync3 v3.0 with this new Rostra 250-8455 module, so I'm happy to update on my situation as it evolves, or if anyone has any ideas about what may have happened (including stupid easy stuff it could be), please let me know!
Thanks
Ralph
