Routing cable for backup camera

[captainhero]

Hi

Looking to install a new head unit and a backup camera. I was wondering where to route the cable for the camera ? Is there a harness i can follow to get inside the cab from the bed ? Then how do i get to the dash ?
Does anyone have any tips or recommendations on how to route the cable in general ?

Thanks

 

[Dirtman]

Just route it by following the taillight harness up to the engine compartment and then run the wire(s) through the grommet on the drivers side firewall under the brake booster. Depending on the model, the power and ground wire will simply tie into the reverse light wire at the rear of the truck and only the video feed wire will need to run up to the cab.

 

[Curious Hound]

What he^^^said. I just did this on my 97 F150. And it went well. The camera I installed replaced my tailgate handle so I had to route the cable out of the tailgate. I took the extra step to run a dedicated power wire along with the video cable. That way my camera has power whenever the key is turned on. I then supplied a reverse signal to the head unit. That way, the head unit switches it's display when I put the transmission in reverse or any time I select that display. I can check on my trailer while driving down the road if necessary.

Here's a picture of my video cable exiting the tailgate (left) and going through a hole I cut (right side) to get under the truck.

 

[Curious Hound]

One other thing. If your truck is an automatic, there is a nice big grommet where the clutch master cylinder would have been. That is a great place to get wires through the firewall. Easy to access on both sides.

 

[Dirtman]

You could also be really lazy and cheat like I did and just mount it on the glass.

 

[captainhero]

Thanks for all the tips ! i will look for these harnesses / grommets (i'm not super familiar with the electrical inner workings of the truck - only been doing brake/suspension work on it).
I'm thinking running 2 wires and the video cable : 1 wire for key power as ericbphoto suggested, and then one wire to get the signal from the reverse light. Where would be the easiest way to get key power ? i'm thinking to just get it from the autoradio harness as i'll be in there anyway ? What type of cable should i get ?

 

[Dirtman]

If I remeber correctly generally the yellow wire on the radio adapter harness is usually key on power.

 

[fastpakr]

What he^^^said. I just did this on my 97 F150. And it went well. The camera I installed replaced my tailgate handle so I had to route the cable out of the tailgate. I took the extra step to run a dedicated power wire along with the video cable. That way my camera has power whenever the key is turned on. I then supplied a reverse signal to the head unit. That way, the head unit switches it's display when I put the transmission in reverse or any time I select that display. I can check on my trailer while driving down the road if necessary.

Here's a picture of my video cable exiting the tailgate (left) and going through a hole I cut (right side) to get under the truck.

View attachment 27209

Did you put a diode on the switched wire to keep your reverse lights from coming on when you manually select the rearview camera?

 

[Curious Hound]

I found my reverse signal under the hood. If you order the EVTM (electrical and vacuum troubleshooting manual) for your truck it will help you locate places to tap into signals you need. 16awg or18awg wire is all you need for camera power and the reverse signal. You can buy automotive primary wire at most automotive stores or order it online.

On My '97, since that is earlier than these new display head units, I had to bring reverse signal, parking brake signal and speed signal to the head unit. Some of that is for the safety features that prevent you from watching a movie while driving.

 

[Curious Hound]

Did you put a diode on the switched wire to keep your reverse lights from coming on when you manually select the rearview camera?

No. That's not necessary. I just borrowed the reverse signal to let the head unit know when the transmission is in reverse. The head unit is not supplying power on That wire. I took camera power directly from an accessory power circuit. I believe I tapped it into the accessory power supply for the head unit.

 

[fastpakr]

The head unit has to be sensing 12v on that wire to know (or think) the transmission is in reverse. I'd love to see a wiring diagram to understand how you're not backfeeding power into the circuit.

 

[Dirtman]

Thats how mine is wired, the camera runs and records constantly but only switches to show on the display when in reverse. Its only using the reverse wire as a signal to activate the display. The reverse wire is independent from the actual camera power source.

 

[fastpakr]

I'm not talking about power for the camera, just the reverse sense wire feeding the radio. If you're applying power to that wire, it's going to also go anywhere that wire is connected on the harness. Is that not directly connected to the reverse light output from the transmission range sensor and therefore the back up lights?

 

[Curious Hound]

The head unit has to be sensing 12v on that wire to know (or think) the transmission is in reverse. I'd love to see a wiring diagram to understand how you're not backfeeding power into the circuit.

The reverse circuit from the transmission reverse swutch is supplying the 12v for the head unit to sense. The head unit is not supplying 12v on that connection. It is just looking to see if the 12v is there, which indicates transmission is in reverse.

 

[Dirtman]

Your not putting power to the reverse sense wire. Only receiving power from it. The power wire for the camera itself never feeds into the reverse wire.