26 - Backup Camera

As part of my Double DIN Stereo upgrade, I also installed a backup camera.

(This mod took place on December 8. 2024)

Installing a backup camera is actually pretty simple. Most modern backup cameras provide a combination camera signal/reverse light cable which has a red power wire integrated into and alongside the signal wire with the yellow RCA plugs. This combination wire is typically 20 to 25 feet long, to allow for the distance between the head unit and the rear of the car.

The hardest part of the job is running this wire thru the rubber conduit between the car body and rear hatch, and especially inside of the metal frame that surrounds the rear window.

Here is a physical representation: at the back of the head unit, the yellow RCA plug of the backup camera combination wire attaches to the Backup Cam port, and the red wire connects to the (typically) pink wire.

At the rear of the car, the yellow RCA plugs of the backup camera combination wire and the backup camera (lower right corner) are connected. The red wires of the backup camera combination wire and the backup camera power wire are both connected to the + wire of the reverse light (represented by the bare bulb), while the black wire is goes to ground, or the - wire of the reverse light.

After making the required connections at the back of the head unit, I ran my backup camera combination wire. To conserve wire length, I routed my backup camera combination wire from the head unit, behind and above the glovebox, up the A-pillar, along the passenger side headliner, then to the middle of the car. Another option is to go on the driver's side roof instead of the passenger side. (Going down and along the floor, then back up to the hatch hinge, uses more wire length.)

Use a plastic pry tool to remove the 3rd brake light cover, then unplug the electrical connector.

(The middle rubber conduit is a larger diameter than the driver's side rubber conduit, hence it is easier to pass the somewhat large yellow RCA plug thru the middle conduit.)

With the aid of a length of larger and stiffer white wire, I "fished" the backup camera combination wire to the driver's side and thru the middle rubber conduit, into the hatch, and over to the driver's side.

I used a plastic pry tool to pry off the plastic interior panel of the rear hatch.

Here is the rear hatch interior panel after being removed. Notice that some of the white attachment clips have became detached from this panel and were left behind, still stuck in the metal hatch. These white clips will have to be removed from the metal hatch and reinstalled into this interior panel, prior to reinstallation of the interior panel.

I used a metal electrician's fish tape to pull the backup camera combination wire and a length of my own 2-conductor wire (to extend power and ground) thru the left rear window frame, from the driver's side rubber conduit (lower right) to the license plate area (upper left). You could perhaps instead use a coat hanger or a "fish tape" made of fiberglass.

Due to the confined spaces and tapering angles, this was the most difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming part of the job.

This is a view of the inside of the hatch with the interior cover off. The rear wiper motor is on the left. Note the white plastic attachment clips still in the hatch, these need to be removed and reinstalled into the interior cover.

OPTIONAL: I used a 10mm deep socket to remove the 5 nuts that attach the license plate light cover.

The outside tips of the license plate light cover are held on with white plastic clips which remained in the hatch when I popped off the cover. Fortunately neither the cover nor the clips were damaged. I carefully removed the clips to reinstall them into the cover.

White plastic clips replaced and ready to reinstall the license plate light cover.

OPTIONAL: i used a round file to create a notch for the camera wire.

I attached the camera using two self-tapping sheet metal screws.

New 1/2" diameter hole drilled and grommet added. About to reinstall the license plate light cover. After that, I connected the RCA plugs and power/ground wire.

IN HINDSIGHT: I could have simply drilled my backup camera wire hole somewhat near to the camera mount point, and run my wire tucked and alongside the license plate light cover, instead of actually removing the cover.

i used a plastic pry tool to expose the reverse light on the driver's side. I tapped the extended backup camera power wires into the reverse light's power and ground wires, then insulated them with electrical tape.

Here is the hatch interior panel with all white attachment clips reinstalled, ready to install back into the car.

Backup camera installed.

Image from the backup camera.

Next: Reverse Light LEDs

You can send your questions or comments to BrickPig2011xb@mail.com

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