I added a rearview camera to my wife's coupe a month or so ago. Got it at Sam's for something like $100. Pretty big screen and I hung it on the glove box. Looks pretty good and works great. Especially at night. The reverse lights light up the world. My wife would like me to fix it so the camera is on all the time. I'm afraid that might be a bit distracting, but fun when stopped at lights, etc.

The only issue we have with it is that the screen sometimes comes on by itself with a lot of snow and interference. The camera is not on, but something is making the wireless receiver in the monitor think it needs to turn on.

David

 

Can you provide some info on the manufacturer and model of this camera? It's intriguing and there are others who have expressed interest in a rear-view solution.

 

Where did you mount the camera?

 

There are several models on the market. I purchased one from Walmart for a customer. The camera mounts to the rear license plate. The monitor is color and can be mounted by two way tape or velcroe.

 

Here's a link to my installation of a back-up cam I installed from Costco. I called the manufacturer about the durability of the cam being turned on all of the time with the ignition. They stated that with these less expensive cams it is not recommended, because they will not last as long as more expensive ones made for constant use. So, mine is set up to operated only when the back-up lights are on.

 

I missed your link.

I should have checked on the brand name before I posted. I don't see it on the Sam's page or Costco. Looking on eBay, there are many different types. Things to consider:

1. License plate bracket mounting is simple - just make sure there is either a tilt mecahnism on the camera or (as in my case), the camera can be mounted at a slight angle.

2. The camera is connected to a small transceiver. The transaceiver is spliced into a reverse light in rear brake light housing. The monitor plugs into a cig. lighter.

3. Don't fret over "Night Vision". The reverse lights are plenty bright for these little cameras.

4. The sun visors can't hold squat, let alone a 7" monitor. A thin flat screen that is wider is better for attaching to glove box than a smaller, thicker screen. I'd rather have it on the glove box than on top of the dash.

5. Some newer models have GPS and monitor in one unit. Pretty cool if you don't have GPS already.

 

Too cheap to really put the link up?

These sure beat the radar type.

 

Yep, I forgot the link. Here it is:
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=24436

 

I have a radar detector , gps,phone now rear view camera. What more can i have hanging on dash and windshield when i get through, i will need sonar are front view camera to drive Then i can paint all windows black. I hate having all those wires running across the **** pit. What to do?

 

Check the owners manual for the back-up screen. Generally, LCD screens don't like excessive heat or cold. Putting it in front of the vent exposes it to both, severely shortening the life of the unit. If it condenses (after a while being blown on by the A/C then sitting as the car gets hot while parked) it will go south even faster. Note in this "before" picture directly below, I had my XM radio there. I moved it pretty quick.

As for wires, I started out with quite a mess and a GPS on the dash.



Then I looked at the service manual and found a few things - the a-pillars snap off and have enough room to conceal pretty large wires. There's room in the dash and access from both sides to fish wires from below.

Panavise makes a bracket for the Crossfire that's easy to install in a few minutes with a screw driver that will support a GPS. It does not interfere with the glove box or air bag.

More Info
Many radar detectors can be mounted on the visor with a clip and the wires run under the edge of the headlining to the a-pillar.

There is a phone bracket mount that is on eBay that will mount to the console to the right of the stick without holes that would allow a cradle with power to be installed and the wires concealed. Another easy install.

I don't have the phone thing (it's bluetooth and I leave it in my pocket, comes through head unit) but here's what mine looks like with GPS, LCD screen, and radar detector.





More Info...
(I removed the little screen visible in this shot and integrated the iPod and XM radio into the head unit.

 

I can only say your site (http://4x4icon.com/crossfire/maintenance/index.htm) is amazing, well done.

 

Thanks. It's documentation for me to keep track of how I did the different things - made sense to share it...

 

Being OCD myself, I really appreciate and admire your attention to detail.
Thanks for sharing,
Rich

 

Well, I don't have it anymore. At least not the monitor part. Camera still there. Car got broken into. Smash and grab. Passenger window. They left the power plug. Idiots.

David

 

I'm really sorry to hear that. It always baffles me why people do that stuff - it never usually ends up that they get away with anything useful. I mean, what can you do with the monitor?

Do you live in a high-crime area? More and more I am grateful for the quaint little nowhere I live in. (gates, perimeter security and dogs notwithstanding...)

Where's Clint when you need him?

 

Well, they also got some Scotch tape and breath mints from the console.

Not a high crime area per se, although there were two cars on the street broken into the same night. My son's car stays out there all the time, but it's a Honda Element and too high for the smash/lean in through window/grab what you can routine.

I forgot to mention that the idiots missed the window the first time with whatever they used to bash it and dented the roof just above the window.

If we had just put the XMAS stuff back in the attic instead of taking up the Crossfire parking spot in the garage for that one night..........

 

Did you wire up the pioneer V.D.P. system? I have it but I dont know where the wire is hat tells the cars speed? Think it is the pink wire on the V.D.P.wireharness? Any clue ?

 

Yes. The Pioneer installation manual outlines all the details. My write-up complete with a fully documented wiring diagram is on my web site here.

http://4x4icon.com/crossfire/Vehicle...ssor/index.htm

 

Thanks !! Great work with the site!!!

 

Wow! This site is amazing. I am assuming that he does not have to work for a living or he does not sleep.

I also like the toolbox just for Crossfire Tools and the drawers being labeled. lol

I think I am gonna follow his lead on the headlight restoration kit and get some Silver Star Headlamps. Mine are getting kinda foggy these days and my eyes are getting older by the day.

Kudos!