backup camera and backup lights.

Ever since I put on a tire gate, I really feel like I can't see out the back while backing up. And the tire gate blocks where the factory backup cam would go (if there was one - my "base model" doesn't have frills like that)

DIY it's surprisingly cheap but kinda a PITA. More work than I thought it was gonna be.

Camera:

Beastron Waterproof Car Rear Vehicle Backup View Camera, ZBC-100 Car Rear Vehicle Backup View Camera, Waterproof

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CTKYB4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Screen:

$20 BW 3.5" TFT LCD Monitor for Car / Automobile

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045IIZKU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Backup Lights:

Tuff LED Lights 2 X 4" Inch Round 27watt LED Work Lamp Light 1550 Lumen, Off Road, Atv, Utv, Polaris Ranger

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ES3F0Q/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Additional:
12v relay, 18ga wire, heat shrink tubing, two fuse holders, various butt and ring connectors. Small L brackets, various screws.

All told - about a hundred bucks, with most of the money in the 4" LED lights.

Basic steps:
1. Remove negative battery terminal since you're doing electric. Duh.

2. Mark where you want the monitor mounted on the A pillar.

3. Remove driver side A pillar cover. Two bolts behind the grab handle. Also remove driver kick panel (which involves removing the dead pedal to gain access to the plastic screw that holds it)

4. Use heat gun to bend the monitor mount into a shape that'll position the monitor where you want it. Glue it there with epoxy. The adhesive that comes with it has NO PRAYER of holding it there - especially since the heat gun kills the adhesive when you bend the bracket.

5. Poke the RCA cable through the firewall rubber seal where the wiring harness penetrates the firewall (below power steering unit under hood.) Provide fused unswitched 12v as well either direct from battery, or from an "add a circuit." My auto parts store doesn't stock "add a circuit" for low profile mini fuses, so I went to the battery.

6. Fuse the 12ga wire for the taillamps, attach to the battery, and run that cable, along with the RCA cable under the truck back to the driver taillamp.

7. Remove driver taillamp. Two 10mm bolts, inside the bed, hold it.

8. Tap into the red reverse light wire (bottom lamp) and run a signal wire from there to 86 on your relay, then from 85 to ground. There are convenient screw terminals in the tail lamp area you can use ground a ring terminal -- all you need is a nut. Also create a parallel circuit to this signal wire - you'll need it to power your camera.

9. 12 ga unswitched to terminal 30 on the relay.

10. two 18 ga wires off terminal 87 on the relay to the positive wires on your backup lights, and from negative on the lights back to ground. I used the same ground terminal in the taillamp area.

11. Mount the 4" flood lights in your bumper. I used an L Bracket for each lamp. Bend it till you're happy with the position and angle.

12. Mount the camera. I was lazy and used zip ties.

13. Provide camera with switched power from the parallel reverse lights circuit you created in step 8. (No relay for the camera - it's a tiny draw)

14. Double check your work, reconnect the battery, and smoke test it.

 

updated with pix.

 

I always back into my parking place at work. Serious win. I definitely recommend this if you're sporting a tire gate.

 

subd to hear about the longevity of the lights

 

They "look" durable. We'll see. But backup lights aren't on for very much elapsed time.

 

Yeah, I was looking at the same lights for backup and for fog lights. Was debating those or rigids. Price is a huge factor, but having to change one out every once in a while adds up eventually right. May go with this for backups and the dually's for fogs.


Truck looks sweet and nice work on everything! One of the reasons I didn't get a tire gate was for blocking the rear camera. Though it would of been easier for me o put a new camera just didn't want to deal with it.

 

Hell I got a price from a audio installation place of close to $350 for one and the Damn thing hung over my mirror. Looked like carp. This isn't bad.

 

Excited to see your future setup