Front Camera Install
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Front Camera Install
I searched the threads and could not find anything about a front camera install, so I struck out on my own and had pretty good results.
2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport - had it a couple weeks only driven it a few times - second car/toy + Colorado Snow - decided I did not want to be hitting curbs/parking barriers. My goal was to see the front lip of the car and not hit things, not see in front of me.
~$35 and 3 hours.
Camera is underneath and behind the front license plate holder (have to have a front plate in CO). The screen is in the glove compartment - connected to the door, so when you open it rotates out, and when you close it rotates back in - removed the shelf in there and installed a spring switch so when you open it the cam and screen power on and when you close it they turn off... Did not want to tear into the car trying to connect to the dash/nav screen.
Attaching a few pictures below.
Next project may be installing aftermarket parking sensors on the front - anyone else notice the two cut outs that are there just for this purpose? 1 on each side of the black grill.
2014 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport - had it a couple weeks only driven it a few times - second car/toy + Colorado Snow - decided I did not want to be hitting curbs/parking barriers. My goal was to see the front lip of the car and not hit things, not see in front of me.
~$35 and 3 hours.
Camera is underneath and behind the front license plate holder (have to have a front plate in CO). The screen is in the glove compartment - connected to the door, so when you open it rotates out, and when you close it rotates back in - removed the shelf in there and installed a spring switch so when you open it the cam and screen power on and when you close it they turn off... Did not want to tear into the car trying to connect to the dash/nav screen.
Attaching a few pictures below.
Next project may be installing aftermarket parking sensors on the front - anyone else notice the two cut outs that are there just for this purpose? 1 on each side of the black grill.
Would you be writing DIY for this project? Looks great. Where did you tap the power for camera and LCD?
You might be able to put the video on the Nav LCD by using A/V input connector through aux input.
You might be able to put the video on the Nav LCD by using A/V input connector through aux input.
Last edited by dojoman; Feb 2, 2014 at 07:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
I could write one I guess. Not sure how to do that exactly though - 2nd week on ClubLexus. I tapped the power in the under dash fuse box (IGN NO. 1 - 10AMP). I considered the A/V input, but from everything I have read and heard you cant select the NAV LCD A/V unless the car is in park. Also, cant find one of those connectors (has to have 3 black rings on the 2.5mm plug) for under $30.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 897
Likes: 11
From: colorado
lol i just back into the space and use the factory rear camera! either that or i stop well short of the curb if i pull in.
i used to have front and rear cameras on my corvette for the same reason but i find the lexus easy to back up.
also backing into a space allows my front Blackvue dash cam a much better view of anyone that might scrape my car while turning into or out of the space next to me.
and FWIW i also live in colorado. i have been driving around with no front plate for about 3 years now, even been pulled over a few times for a different reason and the cop never said anything to me about no front plate. i know its the law but fortunately there are so many people here that are military and from other states where a front plate is not required they don't really give you a problem about it.
i would like to get one of those plate holders that screws into the tow hook, this way i can carry a plate and if i get stopped i can just screw it in on the roadside.
this way if a cop wants to be a jerk about it ill just take a pic with my cell phone with the plate on the car and the cop standing next to it.
pretty sure a judge will have to throw it out if i have evidence that i did in fact have a plate on the car when i got the ticket.
i used to have front and rear cameras on my corvette for the same reason but i find the lexus easy to back up.
also backing into a space allows my front Blackvue dash cam a much better view of anyone that might scrape my car while turning into or out of the space next to me.
and FWIW i also live in colorado. i have been driving around with no front plate for about 3 years now, even been pulled over a few times for a different reason and the cop never said anything to me about no front plate. i know its the law but fortunately there are so many people here that are military and from other states where a front plate is not required they don't really give you a problem about it.
i would like to get one of those plate holders that screws into the tow hook, this way i can carry a plate and if i get stopped i can just screw it in on the roadside.
this way if a cop wants to be a jerk about it ill just take a pic with my cell phone with the plate on the car and the cop standing next to it.
pretty sure a judge will have to throw it out if i have evidence that i did in fact have a plate on the car when i got the ticket.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
DIY - front camera install No.1
Here is the DIY, hope this helps if others want to do something similar. Could not upload a .pdf or a .doc to save my life, so snapped screen shots... lets see how this turns out.
Great write up. How did you wire the cable from fuse box to glove box passing the center stack? Seems like it's impossible to pass thru without removing everything in center console.