Adding Front Camera to XLT
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 589
From: Lafayette, LA
Hello, after installing the new updated 250-8455 module, does Android Auto/Apple Car Play still work? I'm looking into doing this (probably go with whatever company Camera Source is using now) but just in case I do go with Rostra I want to make sure it will still work.
Thanks
Dan
Danny
Thanks
Dan
Danny
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 69
From: Southern, CA
Again, thank you!
Dan
Thank you Carrier! So now I'm all ready to pull the trigger on this. The only thing that's holding me back is the fear of never being able to update my 3.0 in the future. Typically Ford updates it's systems once or twice a year. The 3.0 updste gave me Ford Alexa in the car and I love it. Hopefully though, it can be updated with a USB drive. Decisions decisions decisions.
Again, thank you!
Dan
Again, thank you!
Dan
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 4
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: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 589
From: Lafayette, LA
https://camera-source.com/ford-mytou...ay-radios.html
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 589
From: Lafayette, LA
Thank you Carrier! So now I'm all ready to pull the trigger on this. The only thing that's holding me back is the fear of never being able to update my 3.0 in the future. Typically Ford updates it's systems once or twice a year. The 3.0 updste gave me Ford Alexa in the car and I love it. Hopefully though, it can be updated with a USB drive. Decisions decisions decisions.
Again, thank you!
Dan
Again, thank you!
Dan
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 69
From: Southern, CA
@Slaterock FYI I just updated my Sync 3 to version 3.4 and the module still works as expected. I called Rostra before doing so and they assured me that it would work with ANY 3.xx version.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 240
Likes: 92
@Slaterock FYI I just updated my Sync 3 to version 3.4 and the module still works as expected. I called Rostra before doing so and they assured me that it would work with ANY 3.xx version.
I have a 2019 XLT 302A and am looking at this kit
https://camera-source.com/2018-2019-...-rear-cam.html
Last edited by 2019SXT; Apr 19, 2020 at 11:13 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 589
From: Lafayette, LA
Which kit do you have installed, which trim line truck do you have (looks like XLT), and which grille are you using? Thanks!
I have a 2019 XLT 302A and am looking at this kit
https://camera-source.com/2018-2019-...-rear-cam.html
I have a 2019 XLT 302A and am looking at this kit
https://camera-source.com/2018-2019-...-rear-cam.html
Edit: side note, I upgraded the Rostra module to one that is compatible with Sync 3 since I upgraded that from Sync 2
https://camera-source.com/automotive...8-display.html
Last edited by carrierj; Apr 25, 2020 at 09:55 AM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 494
Likes: 128
From: Ohio
Which kit do you have installed, which trim line truck do you have (looks like XLT), and which grille are you using? Thanks!
I have a 2019 XLT 302A and am looking at this kit
https://camera-source.com/2018-2019-...-rear-cam.html
I have a 2019 XLT 302A and am looking at this kit
https://camera-source.com/2018-2019-...-rear-cam.html