Reverse Camera?
03-03-2011, 10:30 PM
#11
Junior Member
Just installed one
I just installed the tailgate camera in my 07, so it will probably be very similar to your 06. There is no existing wiring there that I could find. Mine will come on whenever I press the right buttons on my radio, but also when I shift into reverse.
It is connected to a kenwood dnx7160.
Tailgate handle, black textured less than $80 including shipping: Ford Part # 8L3Z-9943400-AC
tascaparts.com
Other colors, chrome, etc are available, there is a forum post somewhere that lists them all, it might be on another f150 website though. You could probably find it by searching the part number I listed above if you want a different color.
Waterproof wide-screen keyhole camera Less than $20: ebay
I ran a shielded audio rca's (Not important that I used an audio cable, I just wanted one for the video feed that already had the connections, and the other for + and - for the camera. there is no signal noise on the display.) If you use wire loom and double wrap it with electrical tape, it will look just like the ford wiring harnesses. I followed the ford harness all the way to the back, so once I get it dirty under there it will blend in.
If you are wanting to hook it up to your reverse in the cab, everyone says that it is a black wire with pink stripe in the door sill, but it wasn't for me. I couldn't get ahold of the wiring diagrams, so I had to run another wire in that harness I made to the reverse lights.
There was one passage to enter the tailgate from the bed on the passenger side of my truck, so I tapped into the passenger side reverse light. The tailgate camera handle is easy to install, maybe 15 minutes or less. Adjusting the camera took a little more time.
On another note that I haven't heard anybody talk about anywhere on the www is the virtual switches that kenwood has in their head units. I hooked up the reverse camera into that, so I can turn it off if I want, from inside the radio. There are two of these virtual switches and I will probably hook the other one up to my inverter that gives 120 vac to a power outlet in the bed. Have to make another harness though....
I looked at the emblem camera, but didn't really want to hack a hole in my tailgate. This might sound like rambling, but I have wanted to install a back-up camera for along time, but I wanted to make sure that it looked factory. It does and I am glad I did, and it only cost me about $100......besides the head unit that I was going to get anyway.
So long story short, it can be done, and it's pretty easy.
It is connected to a kenwood dnx7160.
Tailgate handle, black textured less than $80 including shipping: Ford Part # 8L3Z-9943400-AC
tascaparts.com
Other colors, chrome, etc are available, there is a forum post somewhere that lists them all, it might be on another f150 website though. You could probably find it by searching the part number I listed above if you want a different color.
Waterproof wide-screen keyhole camera Less than $20: ebay
I ran a shielded audio rca's (Not important that I used an audio cable, I just wanted one for the video feed that already had the connections, and the other for + and - for the camera. there is no signal noise on the display.) If you use wire loom and double wrap it with electrical tape, it will look just like the ford wiring harnesses. I followed the ford harness all the way to the back, so once I get it dirty under there it will blend in.
If you are wanting to hook it up to your reverse in the cab, everyone says that it is a black wire with pink stripe in the door sill, but it wasn't for me. I couldn't get ahold of the wiring diagrams, so I had to run another wire in that harness I made to the reverse lights.
There was one passage to enter the tailgate from the bed on the passenger side of my truck, so I tapped into the passenger side reverse light. The tailgate camera handle is easy to install, maybe 15 minutes or less. Adjusting the camera took a little more time.
On another note that I haven't heard anybody talk about anywhere on the www is the virtual switches that kenwood has in their head units. I hooked up the reverse camera into that, so I can turn it off if I want, from inside the radio. There are two of these virtual switches and I will probably hook the other one up to my inverter that gives 120 vac to a power outlet in the bed. Have to make another harness though....
I looked at the emblem camera, but didn't really want to hack a hole in my tailgate. This might sound like rambling, but I have wanted to install a back-up camera for along time, but I wanted to make sure that it looked factory. It does and I am glad I did, and it only cost me about $100......besides the head unit that I was going to get anyway.
So long story short, it can be done, and it's pretty easy.
03-04-2011, 05:20 PM
#12
OEM Vehicle Accessories
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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An Excellent Source for Rear View Cameras, Mirrors, and Full Kits
Brandmotion offers rear view camera kits and accessories for a number of different vehicles, including the Ford F-150. Our cameras are mounted in the door handle, giving a clear view of the hitch area.
Our customer service is excellent as well, and we stand behind all our products. To see the rearview cameras specifically made for the Ford F150, visit our website at:
http://www.brandmotion.com/ford-prod...ew-camera.html
Our customer service is excellent as well, and we stand behind all our products. To see the rearview cameras specifically made for the Ford F150, visit our website at:
http://www.brandmotion.com/ford-prod...ew-camera.html
Last edited by AskBrandmotion; 03-04-2011 at 05:44 PM.
03-04-2011, 08:22 PM
#13
"Hold My $tone$"
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Dank$ville, near Bud$burg, U$A (It $tink$!)
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
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Brandmotion offers rear view camera kits and accessories for a number of different vehicles, including the Ford F-150. Our cameras are mounted in the door handle, giving a clear view of the hitch area.
Our customer service is excellent as well, and we stand behind all our products. To see the rearview cameras specifically made for the Ford F150, visit our website at:
http://www.brandmotion.com/ford-prod...ew-camera.html
Our customer service is excellent as well, and we stand behind all our products. To see the rearview cameras specifically made for the Ford F150, visit our website at:
http://www.brandmotion.com/ford-prod...ew-camera.html
04-11-2011, 01:48 AM
#15
Junior Member
I just installed the tailgate camera in my 07, so it will probably be very similar to your 06. There is no existing wiring there that I could find. Mine will come on whenever I press the right buttons on my radio, but also when I shift into reverse.
It is connected to a kenwood dnx7160.
Tailgate handle, black textured less than $80 including shipping: Ford Part # 8L3Z-9943400-AC
So long story short, it can be done, and it's pretty easy.
It is connected to a kenwood dnx7160.
Tailgate handle, black textured less than $80 including shipping: Ford Part # 8L3Z-9943400-AC
So long story short, it can be done, and it's pretty easy.
Hey JGrono, Thanks for posting all this! What is your field of view from having the camera in the handle? Do you see the bumper from end to end as well as the hitch?
04-12-2011, 01:39 AM
#17
Junior Member
04-12-2011, 11:44 AM
#18
Junior Member
Eelkram,
I can't see the bumper at all, but I wanted it primarily for backing up to trailers so I didn't care. The field of view is very wide horizontally but not vertically, like a wide screen movie. With my hitch extension, I can see the hitch ball, or the trailer connections and safety chains etc. Towed a boat and car trailer with it so far and put it on the split screen on the head unit, which was great. Also with the hitch extension, I can actually open the tailgate all the way down if a trailer with a jack is connected.
If you are wanting to see the bumper, I think that the emblem camera might be better, but I am not sure. I have looked at f150's and the freestyle's with cameras, and I think it greatly depends on the angle that the camera is pointing at. If you want to adjust the angle of the camera in the handle, it may stick out, and I wanted it to sit flush on the handle. I used the tailgate handle from ford, and a cheap wide angle waterproof camera off of ebay (about $15-$20). I don't know if the ford factory camera has a larger field of view, but for the price they are selling them for I wasn't too concerned. I have sprayed the camera directly with a hose more than a few times from different angles, and it is indeed waterproof.
The one thing I did notice is that in the camera picture objects are closer then they appear...just like it says on the rearview mirrors. But now that I have a feel for it I can get closer to things then before in parking lots etc.
I have had this thing installed for maybe a month or more now and really like it. With the factory lift (4x4) and the high tailgate, I can never see what's going on back there, but have gotten used to it since I've had the truck. With the camera, I can pop it in reverse and get under the trailer coupler first time. If the sun is just right, the shadow of the trailer coupler falls right on the ball....and I am done.
If I knew now what I knew when I was installing it, it probably only would have taken about 15 minutes for the install, but I kept playing with the camera position inside the handle because I wanted it to be lined up in the center of the bottom of the screen, and was worried about water entering the hole. All you have to do is put the camera in, so it is not upside down, and then rotate it until the picture is level.
If you want, I can take some pictures of the screen and camera handle setup. The quality of the video is good, but not great. If someone is behind me at a stoplight, I can almost (but not) read their license plate if they have one mounted on the front. It is on a 7" screen though.
I can't see the bumper at all, but I wanted it primarily for backing up to trailers so I didn't care. The field of view is very wide horizontally but not vertically, like a wide screen movie. With my hitch extension, I can see the hitch ball, or the trailer connections and safety chains etc. Towed a boat and car trailer with it so far and put it on the split screen on the head unit, which was great. Also with the hitch extension, I can actually open the tailgate all the way down if a trailer with a jack is connected.
If you are wanting to see the bumper, I think that the emblem camera might be better, but I am not sure. I have looked at f150's and the freestyle's with cameras, and I think it greatly depends on the angle that the camera is pointing at. If you want to adjust the angle of the camera in the handle, it may stick out, and I wanted it to sit flush on the handle. I used the tailgate handle from ford, and a cheap wide angle waterproof camera off of ebay (about $15-$20). I don't know if the ford factory camera has a larger field of view, but for the price they are selling them for I wasn't too concerned. I have sprayed the camera directly with a hose more than a few times from different angles, and it is indeed waterproof.
The one thing I did notice is that in the camera picture objects are closer then they appear...just like it says on the rearview mirrors. But now that I have a feel for it I can get closer to things then before in parking lots etc.
I have had this thing installed for maybe a month or more now and really like it. With the factory lift (4x4) and the high tailgate, I can never see what's going on back there, but have gotten used to it since I've had the truck. With the camera, I can pop it in reverse and get under the trailer coupler first time. If the sun is just right, the shadow of the trailer coupler falls right on the ball....and I am done.
If I knew now what I knew when I was installing it, it probably only would have taken about 15 minutes for the install, but I kept playing with the camera position inside the handle because I wanted it to be lined up in the center of the bottom of the screen, and was worried about water entering the hole. All you have to do is put the camera in, so it is not upside down, and then rotate it until the picture is level.
If you want, I can take some pictures of the screen and camera handle setup. The quality of the video is good, but not great. If someone is behind me at a stoplight, I can almost (but not) read their license plate if they have one mounted on the front. It is on a 7" screen though.
04-12-2011, 09:31 PM
#19
Junior Member
If you want, I can take some pictures of the screen and camera handle setup. The quality of the video is good, but not great. If someone is behind me at a stoplight, I can almost (but not) read their license plate if they have one mounted on the front. It is on a 7" screen though.
Sure! Thanks, I'd love to see what the camera view looks like. Thanks again for all your input. It looks like I'll have to either find a fish-eyed camera or go for the logo mount, since I want to see the bumper.
Hey on your Kenwood, would it accept another camera for the spare virtual switch? Just kicking around an idea.... of maybe a front camera so the Wife doesn't start playing bumper cards while trying to park.
07-05-2011, 12:42 PM
#20
Junior Member
Eelkram,
Yes, you can add another camera to the kenwood easily and control it via the virtual switch. It has been a couple months now and I have never actually found a reason to turn the camera off via that switch though. Originally, I thought that the camera might burn out if left on too much, but it hasn't, and has survived Florida heat and rain so far. The cheapo camera is still working fine, even though it is on whenever the ignition is on. Many times if I am towing or in heavy traffic, I will use the split screen and always have the rear in display. It still automatically goes to full screen when I pop it in reverse though.
In the Kenwood menu for the reverse cam, there are more options for a 2nd cam, and you could always use the video input for a 3rd cam if you wanted.
I will take some pictures later today, and upload them later tonight. I know it has been awhile, but I am sure someone in the future probably wants to see anyway.
Yes, you can add another camera to the kenwood easily and control it via the virtual switch. It has been a couple months now and I have never actually found a reason to turn the camera off via that switch though. Originally, I thought that the camera might burn out if left on too much, but it hasn't, and has survived Florida heat and rain so far. The cheapo camera is still working fine, even though it is on whenever the ignition is on. Many times if I am towing or in heavy traffic, I will use the split screen and always have the rear in display. It still automatically goes to full screen when I pop it in reverse though.
In the Kenwood menu for the reverse cam, there are more options for a 2nd cam, and you could always use the video input for a 3rd cam if you wanted.
I will take some pictures later today, and upload them later tonight. I know it has been awhile, but I am sure someone in the future probably wants to see anyway.