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Adding back up camera

21K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  strmanglr 
#1 ·
I have the 430N option, but the vehicle does not have the back up camera. How difficult is it to integrate a backup camera with the stock head unit?
 
#3 ·
It's easy. You have several options.

  1. Buy your choice of camera. Buy a multimedia harness for the radio and have a dealer flash the vehicle to activate the camera option. The flash can run up to $150 or more.
  2. Buy your choice of camera. Buy a LockPick, Navtool or NavTV, which are unlock interfaces that enable the camera and other functions. This option does not require a dealer flash.
  3. Buy an AEV or Brandmotion camera system with a vin locked flash module. This option does not require a dealer flash, as you will flash the vehicle yourself.
  4. Buy your choice of camera and this. This option does not require a dealer flash, as you will flash the vehicle yourself.
 
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#4 ·
Or,
You have at least one more choice. Just 'cause I could, I did it the REALLY CHEAP way. I purchased a $13.99 camera and a $19.99 little monitor. I have a $34 system that was extra easy to install and, I didn't have to go through any dealer or, pay the high dollars for a system that has a "flash" module with it. Now, I'm not condemming the use of the 430N as the monitor, not at all. I applaud anyone who's done it and, is using it without issue.
I ran into issues with our local dealership in the fact that IF I were to spend the higher dollars and install a system that utilized the 430N screen, our dealer said they WOULD NOT flash the radio. They had their reasons for not doing it and, I was not going to change their mind.
So, without going into what I could do about that, as in go to another dealer, I simply elected to do what I did. The next closest dealer to us is 3 hours away and, I really didn't want to go all that distance just to pay a dealer flash my radio to accept a backup camera.
So, hence, a cheapo camera and a cheapo monitor and, you see what you see in the pics.
It's just another idea if anyone's interested.
Scott
 

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#5 ·
Garmin makes GPS is several size screens that will accept a camera. You get a nice GPS also, for much less than the Jeeps with lifetime map updates and traffic.
 
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#6 ·
I recently installed a PAC BCI-21H and a Spare mounted camera for a 430 (non nav) for about $260. The hardest part is routing the camera wire to the front. The Dash and Stereo come out pretty easy. I went this option due to the dealer wanting $100 just to do the flash, so now I have an option of turning on the camera at anytime.
 
#10 ·
For those with a 430N radio, but no back up cam installed, Here is what is needed for about $133 to get it working:


Software for laptop ($49)
https://appcar-diagfca.com/en/place-order/
OBD to USB cord ($30)
https://www.amazon.com/…/B00…/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00…
Radio video plug ($20)
https://www.amazon.com/…/B06…/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00…
Back up cam ($33)
https://www.amazon.com/…/B07…/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00…


Basically, install the camera in the jeep (3 hours), install the software in the laptop (downloaded in a few hours after payment), get them communicating and turn on the backup cam in the software (about 1/2 hour to figure out).
 
#13 ·
Roger that, my pleasure. I sometimes wish I'd have gone the expensive route and used my Radio/GPS screen as a back up camera screen too but, while I'm not really a cheap-o (who is that pays over $40K for a darn Jeep) to pay at or around $350 and up for a back up camera system that, a $34 system does which, is merely presenting a picture of what's behind you when you pop your Jeep into reverse. Yes, the 430N or 730N screens are bigger, no doubt about that but, so far, my little 3" x 4" screen has prevented me from, bumping into cars in parking lots during day or night, running over little kids, animals, desert tortoises, bumping into LARGE rocks or, dropping off the edge of the world when backing during off roading and THAT, is what any back up camera system is all about.
Scott
 
#14 ·
@FIRE UP, does it come with wiring instructions so it turns on only in reverse?
 
#15 ·
strmanglr,
Well Sir, it does but, I can't remember if they were all that detailed or not. But, it's actually very simple. (has to be for me to tackle it). There is a small cable exiting the camera that is oh, maybe a foot or so long. Then, again if I recall, it splits into the power and ground wires for powering up the camera and, the cable that needs to go to the monitor.
All I did was, mount that camera on my home made mount that is centered in top circle of my spare tire. From there, I routed that cable into the grommet where the third brake light enters the back side of the tail gate. Then, yanked off the plastic protective panel on the front side of the tail gate and routed all the wires along side the existing third brake light and power lock wires. I also took painstakingly time to route it THROUGH the fluted flex tubing between the tail gate and the body.

From there, I taped them to a piece of wire which, I used to polk them down through the body grommet in the corner of the tub and into the rear of the tail light housing on the right side. At that time, I found the hot, and ground of the back-up light for that side. I then just stripped a bit off of each of those wires and soldered the hot and ground from the camera to those wires that lead to the back up light, DONE.

Now, when the Jeep is put into reverse, the power is sent to the back up light and, that also powers up the camera. When that happens, it now sends its signal through the cable, to the little monitor I mounted in the tray, on top of the dash. Routing that cable was actually fairly easy. I ran it along the bottom, next to both door jambs and, up into the bottom side of the dash. Then, up into that little tray area. Not very difficult. Hope this helps some.
Scott
 
#16 ·
Yes it does, thank you.

Electricity is like magic to me, I have v limited knowledge.
 
#17 ·
@FIRE UP, links aren't working anymore.

Edit:
4 1/2 hours later they are working.
 
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