My backup camera install/DIY
01-28-12, 04:32 PM
#1
My backup camera install/DIY
Well you probably saw my question about the backup camera I bought. Well I took some time today and installed it on the RX. I am overall happy with how it looks and how it went. Took my time. It may not be the cleanest or most perfect install, but it works for me.
Well here it goes!
You need to start by removing the lower panel on the liftgate:
It's all held on by these little things:
You will need to remove the piece that has your license plate lights in it and the liftgate opener in it.
Start by removing the bolts underneath. For access you will have to remove the upper piece on the liftgate as well.
This was after I installed the camera, but you get the picture...
Go ahead and remove the bolts to the lock mechanism, it won't fall out. And the little clip next to it, ya that has to be squeezed to release it. There are two of them, one on each side.
And this grommet has to come out and go ahead and feed your wires through the hole.
I grounded the camera to this bolt.
I went ahead and cut the reverse wire and spliced the wire and twisted it together and fed it into this butt connector.
Feed the original reverse wire into the other end and crimp it tight.
Now before going on, put the car is reverse and make sure your backup lights are still working.
Here is all of the extra cable bound together and tie wrapped to an existing wire to hold it tight.
Another Angle:
Camera hanging out:
I forgot to take pictures while I had it all apart, so I just went out and took some...
Take this panel off by pulling on it and tie wrap your video cable and feed it down.
Go ahead and feed it through the existing hole in the roof and I put some sealant around it since I cut into a water-tight seal.
This panel at the top will need to be pulled down slightly to retrieve the cable.
I have a slight gap between the headliner and this panel so I just tucked the cable in this panel and went on my way...
I brought it down and tucked it under this weather stripping or decorative cover stripping:
Pull up this little kick panel and feed it through there and feed it towards the drivers front kick panel.
Pull up this panel and keep feeding it through.
I grounded it here along with the existing radar detector I have.
I have both my radar detector and this monitor powered to the cigarette lighter fuse. Now I know this isn't the most effective or safe way to do it, but this is how I want to do it. Any better suggestions, let me know.
Ran the wire up through here, can't really tell it's there so yeah...
Sorry for the night pictures, I can take better day time ones if you want.
It is held down with double sided tape.
Well here it goes!
You need to start by removing the lower panel on the liftgate:
It's all held on by these little things:
You will need to remove the piece that has your license plate lights in it and the liftgate opener in it.
Start by removing the bolts underneath. For access you will have to remove the upper piece on the liftgate as well.
This was after I installed the camera, but you get the picture...
Go ahead and remove the bolts to the lock mechanism, it won't fall out. And the little clip next to it, ya that has to be squeezed to release it. There are two of them, one on each side.
And this grommet has to come out and go ahead and feed your wires through the hole.
I grounded the camera to this bolt.
I went ahead and cut the reverse wire and spliced the wire and twisted it together and fed it into this butt connector.
Feed the original reverse wire into the other end and crimp it tight.
Now before going on, put the car is reverse and make sure your backup lights are still working.
Here is all of the extra cable bound together and tie wrapped to an existing wire to hold it tight.
Another Angle:
Camera hanging out:
I forgot to take pictures while I had it all apart, so I just went out and took some...
Take this panel off by pulling on it and tie wrap your video cable and feed it down.
Go ahead and feed it through the existing hole in the roof and I put some sealant around it since I cut into a water-tight seal.
This panel at the top will need to be pulled down slightly to retrieve the cable.
I have a slight gap between the headliner and this panel so I just tucked the cable in this panel and went on my way...
I brought it down and tucked it under this weather stripping or decorative cover stripping:
Pull up this little kick panel and feed it through there and feed it towards the drivers front kick panel.
Pull up this panel and keep feeding it through.
I grounded it here along with the existing radar detector I have.
I have both my radar detector and this monitor powered to the cigarette lighter fuse. Now I know this isn't the most effective or safe way to do it, but this is how I want to do it. Any better suggestions, let me know.
Ran the wire up through here, can't really tell it's there so yeah...
Sorry for the night pictures, I can take better day time ones if you want.
It is held down with double sided tape.
01-28-12, 04:32 PM
#2
This is a night shot, again I will take a better one in the day time. It is not blurry at all, it's my camera...
Here is the camera mounted outside...
Overall it was a pretty clean install. I took my time so it took me probably 2 and a half hours... I will probably take clearer better pictures tomorrow in the daytime. But it's finally in and I'm thrilled. Comes on when I put the car in reverse and goes out when in drive or in park.
And questions, feel free to ask. I can also post the links where I got the camera and monitor if you want. Just ask.
Here is the camera mounted outside...
Overall it was a pretty clean install. I took my time so it took me probably 2 and a half hours... I will probably take clearer better pictures tomorrow in the daytime. But it's finally in and I'm thrilled. Comes on when I put the car in reverse and goes out when in drive or in park.
And questions, feel free to ask. I can also post the links where I got the camera and monitor if you want. Just ask.
01-28-12, 04:59 PM
#4
Sure.
The camera:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i01_details
So far playing with it, I think it is great.
Monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details
And we shall see how this is in the day time. So far it is great as well.
So total: $54.82
The camera:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i01_details
So far playing with it, I think it is great.
Monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details
And we shall see how this is in the day time. So far it is great as well.
So total: $54.82
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01-29-12, 06:19 PM
#8
Nice write up, nice pictures. Thanks much. I may have to get myself one.
I think I would ground it under the dash instead of outside through the door weather seal. Also would prefer to splice into a switched hot wire instead of directly in the fuse box.
I think I would ground it under the dash instead of outside through the door weather seal. Also would prefer to splice into a switched hot wire instead of directly in the fuse box.
01-29-12, 06:43 PM
#9
It is very tight under the dash. So that bolt seamed to be easiest. And having the radar detector for 10 years and not having a grounding issue seemed to be an okay grounding point. If I was comfortable taking the lower dash apart I would have to find a different bolt.
01-30-12, 11:45 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
04-18-17, 11:38 PM
#15
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Hello 99rx, hope I'm not violating any forum rules by reviving this thread. I have a 2004 RX330 that I just finished installing a new head unit. I wonder if you still have the photos of this post by any chance, and if so, would you please be kind enough to repost them here. TIA!
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