Relocating stock Back-up Camera

Has anyone moved their back-up camera from the tailgate latch to somewhere else?

I use a Dakine tailgate pad for hauling bikes and it covers up the latch and therefore the camera:


It's not like I really need the camera for anything, but I don't like having it go to waste and just showing a static filled black screen in my mirror.

I also don't really need it for hooking up to a hitch, so if I could reorient it a little better to look straight out, that might be nice.

Might just try to fab up some sort of modified license plate frame mount, but if anyone else has anything else inspiring, I'd love to see it.

 

Don't you ever drive it without hauling bikes, and thus can remove that pad?

Is that a flap for the tailgate latch in the center?

Can't you just remove that flap, or tape it up so the camera and latch isn't covered?

 

That camera is the best part, well not really best part but I really like the backup camera. I thought it was sooo stupid in the begining but know I'm hooked. Could not fit my truck in the garage with out it.

 

My work is bike related, so there's a bike to be hauled more often than not. It would be too much hassle to take the pad on and off all the time.

Since I never know when I'm going to throw a bike or two (or 6) in the back, I'd prefer to leave the flap as is for protection.

 

why not just buy a bike rack that you that hooks up in the hitch receiver?

 

The pad is way cheaper, completely universal, doesn't take up space, and fits up to 6 bikes.

I've had my share of racks and had complaints about all of them.

I can live without a backup camera if need be, but I'm looking for a compromise to make it at least somewhat useful.

 

Old thread revival: Has anyone relocated or replaced the stock camera with an aftermarket license plate mounted camera? Is it a matter of cutting the stock wires and splicing the new camera's to the stock harness? My swing away and rtt completely block my rear view so moving the camera would be helpful.

 

I don't know if Ekard every found a satisfying resolution, but my recomendation would be to cut a little window in the Dakani pad.

 

bump. anyone come up with an idea? woods247 might be onto something.

 

I came looking for the same answer for a different reason. I am putting on an ACE topper with a back door hatch and my tailgate will be completely removed.

 

Cut a small hole in the flap?

 

I'm looking to remove my tailgate and either put on a net something. Also wondering if anyone has relocated the camera. I love the camera function and would like to keep it. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

http://travelswithrockythedog.blogspot.com/2012/06/relocated-back-up-camera.html

 

Great idea here. I was about to do it when I realized the bottom edge of my rear hatch door literally goes right across this oem hole. I was thinking about buying a blank hitch receiver plug cover, cutting out a hole in it, and then mount camera in new lowered location. Might be hard to adjust camera angle...

I might just duct tape the little bugger to my rear diff....

 

just get some velcro,and stick it to the handle, Then wallah your handle stays up and you still have a back up camera

 

I know this is a really old thread. But! This is a problem that Dakine was aware of, we've actually redesigned our tailgate pads and now have a solution for the backup camera. You will see the new tailgate pad this spring. No need to relocate the camera! Just get an updated pickup pad.

 

I just swapped out the factory stereo for a Pioneer last weekend. I'm going to put a backup camera in the bumper next to the license plate.

UPDATE: The camera mounted here is working out great for me. The center section of the bumper is angled inward so when I mounted the camera flush it was looking off towards the passenger side. I was able to fix it by removing the threaded mounting hardware, pointing the camera in the proper direction, and gluing the snot out of it with RTV on the back. There's a small gap around the camera frame towards the license plate as a result.

The thing I didn't figure on is that the license plate lights tend to blind the camera. I'm looking into installing a relay to cut out the license plate lights when the backup lights come on. Stay tuned...

 

I double sided taped mine to the top of my bumper. Works great.

 

Subbed, relocating after I finish my swing out.

 

Anyone have pics of it relocated on a aftermarket bumper because the tire carrier was blocking it?