techboj
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 19, 2005
- Messages
- 210
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Surrey, BC Canada
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 99 Sport + 06 EB
My 99 sport used to have a 7-inch DVD monitor on a homemade housing right under the radio bezel. I have used it for several years but the cheap myron-davis player eventually failed. Since the model is no longer being made and I really have very little use for it, I decided to do something else.
I've always wanted a reversing monitor to help me in backing up or when hitching to a trailer ball. They were previously an expensive add-on but now you can get one for under $100 including the camera. I got one from a local Canadian Costco for about $50 on sale.
Most aftermarket reversing cameras are wireless and uses bluetooth technology. While this is generally good and simplifies installation to a certain degree, it does offer some disadvantages. 1. Some parking lots have wireless cameras running off the same 2.4Ghz frequency - I've seen aftermarket reverse cameras pickup these signals instead of what your actual camera is transmitting. 2. Since there is a new legislation in BC (Canada) against operating a mobile phone whilst in the car without handsfree, I have a bluetooth wireless module installed for my phone that conflicts with the wireless reverse cameras.
Anyway, the video monitor is a small unit with a 3.5 inch screen. It comes with various adapters so you can install in in-dash, suction cup, on the windshield or vent clips. None of these options appealed to me. I wanted a more oem / integrated look.
I remembered I had a non-working 2nd gen computer / trip console. I dismantled the screen and removed everything inside and placed the new aftermarket video screen behind it. After adjusting the viewing angle, I recured everything and wired the video screen and camera as instructed in the included diagram. The other good thing with this monitor is that it has instructions on how to hardwire it instead of using wireless. The usual bluetooth signal is good for about 30 feet which is longer than most vehicles but the wired option provides additional flexibility if you want to install the camera in a towed vehicle (such as a trailer, camper). Furthermore, the wired option prevents the interference on and from bluetooth and 2.4Ghz equipment. The wired option simply utilized a long stereo patch cable (similar to the cable used to connect your mp3 player to a stereo jack, except its 20 feet long
Photo above show the oem-looking trip computer installed in a 99 sport. Contrast, brightness and orientation only need to be set once. The camera generally remembers the settings unless you disconnect the main battery. If there is a need for adjustment, notice the small "pin-holes" I made on the screen
Photo above shows the image as displayed by the rear view camera
Wiring of the camera itself was simple. The camera itself receives it's trigger from the reverse lights. I had to run a small gauge wire from the positive of the reverse light to the designated wire on the camera. Another wire was for ground and the the wired option plugs into a jack that looks like a standard stereo port. Run this cable towards the center console and plug it into the monitor. No additional wires are needed to power the monitor. The monitor automatically powers up when the vehicle is shifted to reverse
Current location of the camera is below the bumper and above the hitch. My intention was to make the camera not visible (as opposed to having is slapped on the license plate). The problem with this is that the spot between the bumper and the hitch gets mucked up with snow and dirt during winter. This summer I will move it to the rear center trim (the one with the ford logo) above the license plate. I'm also planning on changing the switches on the computer to more functional accessory switches (more lights, etc)
I've always wanted a reversing monitor to help me in backing up or when hitching to a trailer ball. They were previously an expensive add-on but now you can get one for under $100 including the camera. I got one from a local Canadian Costco for about $50 on sale.
Most aftermarket reversing cameras are wireless and uses bluetooth technology. While this is generally good and simplifies installation to a certain degree, it does offer some disadvantages. 1. Some parking lots have wireless cameras running off the same 2.4Ghz frequency - I've seen aftermarket reverse cameras pickup these signals instead of what your actual camera is transmitting. 2. Since there is a new legislation in BC (Canada) against operating a mobile phone whilst in the car without handsfree, I have a bluetooth wireless module installed for my phone that conflicts with the wireless reverse cameras.
Anyway, the video monitor is a small unit with a 3.5 inch screen. It comes with various adapters so you can install in in-dash, suction cup, on the windshield or vent clips. None of these options appealed to me. I wanted a more oem / integrated look.
I remembered I had a non-working 2nd gen computer / trip console. I dismantled the screen and removed everything inside and placed the new aftermarket video screen behind it. After adjusting the viewing angle, I recured everything and wired the video screen and camera as instructed in the included diagram. The other good thing with this monitor is that it has instructions on how to hardwire it instead of using wireless. The usual bluetooth signal is good for about 30 feet which is longer than most vehicles but the wired option provides additional flexibility if you want to install the camera in a towed vehicle (such as a trailer, camper). Furthermore, the wired option prevents the interference on and from bluetooth and 2.4Ghz equipment. The wired option simply utilized a long stereo patch cable (similar to the cable used to connect your mp3 player to a stereo jack, except its 20 feet long
Photo above show the oem-looking trip computer installed in a 99 sport. Contrast, brightness and orientation only need to be set once. The camera generally remembers the settings unless you disconnect the main battery. If there is a need for adjustment, notice the small "pin-holes" I made on the screen
Photo above shows the image as displayed by the rear view camera
Wiring of the camera itself was simple. The camera itself receives it's trigger from the reverse lights. I had to run a small gauge wire from the positive of the reverse light to the designated wire on the camera. Another wire was for ground and the the wired option plugs into a jack that looks like a standard stereo port. Run this cable towards the center console and plug it into the monitor. No additional wires are needed to power the monitor. The monitor automatically powers up when the vehicle is shifted to reverse
Current location of the camera is below the bumper and above the hitch. My intention was to make the camera not visible (as opposed to having is slapped on the license plate). The problem with this is that the spot between the bumper and the hitch gets mucked up with snow and dirt during winter. This summer I will move it to the rear center trim (the one with the ford logo) above the license plate. I'm also planning on changing the switches on the computer to more functional accessory switches (more lights, etc)
