Moving my OEM Backup Camera

Backup Camera Question: I will be putting an A.R.E. canopy on the back of my 2018 1500. This canopy replaces the tailgate as it has a walk-in door on it. It’s kind of a cool gig.

So, since the backup camera is in the tailgate, I’ll lose that.

My thought is to buy an OEM replacement part and mount it in the plastic part of the rear bumper, next to the license plate. If I get an OEM camera, the wiring harness should plug right into the connection port, just like the tailgate one did.

I am thinking I should be able to drill a hole just slightly smaller in diameter to the camera body, squeeze it in the hole, and the tight fit should hold it snuggly. I could even put a little gasket sealer or silicone sealer to make it doubly secure.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this project?

Thanks in advance,

David

more than likely the camera will come with a little pig tail for wire and you will have to get the mating part to plug in where the tailgate harness does.

THe biggest downfall i see is the moving grid lines are calibrated to be mounted in the handle so moving it they will not be as accurate.

Why doesn't the company make something to integrate the camera into? I would reach out to them about this. All trucks moving forward will have back-up cameras and most already do. They are going to lose a lot of business if they don't figure that out.

baum said:

more than likely the camera will come with a little pig tail for wire and you will have to get the mating part to plug in where the tailgate harness does.

THe biggest downfall i see is the moving grid lines are calibrated to be mounted in the handle so moving it they will not be as accurate.

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Yeah, That's a good point. The Camera is currently not centered but it is calibrated. I am wondering if I position it an equal distance away from center line, the grid lines might still be valid.

I was hoping that the OEM replacement part came with the plug,,,, We'll see I guess.

I had entertained mounting the new camera on the canopy shell, higher up than the original location, to improve the view. If I go that route, the wiring will be a little more work.

Thanks for the feedback.

adrianp89 said:

Why doesn't the company make something to integrate the camera into? I would reach out to them about this. All trucks moving forward will have back-up cameras and most already do. They are going to lose a lot of business if they don't figure that out.

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They offer to put one of those lame license plate frame cameras on there, splicing into the wiring of the current camera versus using a removable wire harness plug. I've never been impressed by those cameras and wasn't fond of the idea of them cutting into my AV wires.

Almost all canopies on the market, to my knowledge, don't require removing the tailgate. So, in that regard, the owner still maintains the factory camera regardless of canopy choice. Not so with this fancy model I chose!

If it was me I would also try to find a way to mount it on the shell, be a better view that down on the bumper.

Jarhead57 said:

If it was me I would also try to find a way to mount it on the shell, be a better view that down on the bumper.

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Yeah, I'm waiting for the shell to arrive to see how feasible that is. Maybe up by the third brake light. Extending the cable is not a big deal. Just securing it to the frame that will be opening and closing periodically and safe-guarding it from the doggies too.

I bought the same cap for my 1500 , having same issues. I contacted ARE they just started sellinga relocates for the camera. I have not contacted my local dealer yet about it, I'm sure it won't be cheap.

I had a aftermarket license plate camera on my 06 Ram and it was crappy. It marginally helped with backing up to hook up the camper.

Some of license plate ones are actually very stealth, people just install them wrong. The Metra one is one of the best of the market.

Mine was a wireless and it had a poor image. I even had the manufacturer send me another camera and it was no better. I`m sure there were better models out there.

Iv'e been wondering about the license plate cameras, infotainment sells a kit I am considering for my wife's grand cherokee. However I didn't know if the lines are calibrated for the lower mounting point on a ram. Has anyone used this kit with the license plate cam and can speak to the quality of the camera itself?

https://www.infotainment.com/collections/all/products/obd-genie-cg4-rear-view-camera-bundle

I had a
Yada Digital Wireless Backup Camera with 4.3" Monitor

stay away from this one

DAVID E CARTER said:

I bought the same cap for my 1500 , having same issues. I contacted ARE they just started sellinga relocates for the camera. I have not contacted my local dealer yet about it, I'm sure it won't be cheap.

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I contacted them too, it was a cluster. The dealer that I bought the cap from was kinda lame. "We don't do any electrical stuff other than brake lights." I guess it's pretty complicated, LOL. So, what I ended up doing was having a local car specialization place, KingPin, make a mount for me that sits below the third brake light on the cap. I bought a replacement camera kit, the whole kit, including the harness, from the dealer for $300. I then had KingPin install the factory camera in their mount, and it works fine for the most part. I think the image on the screen is darker than a non-modified system, but I'm not sure. I don't use the guidelines because they are off some. If I had to do it again, I'd look more into the ARE option, which is probably a lot better price wise. But with that cap, having the rear view mirrors tilt and the camera on, is about the only safe way to back up, in my opinion.

SO255 said:

........ Extending the cable is not a big deal. Just securing it to the frame that will be opening and closing periodically and safe-guarding it from the doggies too.

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Did you just cut and splice in, extra lengths of wire or reuse either of the plug/socket?