Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Looking for backup camera

1 reading
8.8K views 13 replies 12 participants last post by  Digger84  
#1 ·
I've been searching high and low for a backup camera for some time now, and although I've found a lot of potentially good options I haven't found exactly what I want. I want a camera that is:
  • Plug and play
  • Centered with Jeep
  • Equipped with guide lines
  • Water and dust proof
  • From a reputable company
  • Doesn't come with an extra monitor
  • And connects to the factory head unit.
I know that's a lot to ask for in one camera so my expectations aren't really high that something is out there. Anything would help though!
 
#3 ·
You won't find a plug and play camera that connects to the head unit. I'm not aware of any of them that have a plug for power. You will need to get that somewhere and if your Jeep didn't come with one factory, the wire isn't in the harness so that will be up to the installer to find a source for. Also they will all require you to run a wire from the rear to the front since again, if it wasn't there factory, it's not in the harness. That said, it's pretty easy with a Jeep to do and while it make seem intimidating, it's pretty easy. Jeeps come apart pretty easily.
 
#4 ·
Recently got a no name backup camera (think its around $30). Couple of issues to look for. Many of the cheaper ones, do not come with the radio adapter (the adapter has two rows of 6 or 8 pins - dont remember for sure). The adapter has multiple pins but only two were used to connect to a RCA jack on the one I purchased ($15). You will have to run a video cable from the tailgate (or wherever you mount it) to the radio and a separate wire to get power for the camera (I spliced into the backup light - when the backup light is on, the light circuit provides enough power to power the camera). The camera provides the "backup lines" which are stationary and dont show the turn caused by the wheels but that can be disabled (by cutting a wire loop). The camera also allows the picture to be inverted (by cutting a wire loop) so you can adapt the picture if you mount it upside down. If your Jeeps radio is a stock 430 and no camera was ever installed, you will likely either have to take it to a dealer to get the camera function enabled or use something like Jscan to enable the camera picture when you put the Jeep in reverse. My total cost was less than $50 and I am happy with it (I did have to build a bracket for the camera using some scrap metal I had). I did notice several more expensive cameras kits (around $130 that seem to provide both a bracket for mounting behind the spare and the radio adapter cable but I was trying to keep my cost down.
 
#5 ·
I have a 2015 JKR and it came with the basic radio. I purchased a 430N
I installed a Rear Camera to the spare tire..... I did HOURS and HOURS of research on how to accomplish the rear camera..... And like others have said, You need to mount camera run the wire from the camera to the radio, You have to tie into there rear tail lights and use the JSCAN app to tell the computer/radio that you have a camera.
It all works like it was installed from the factory.
 
#7 ·
I bought this one last year. Quadratec Spare Tire Mount Backup Camera for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK for 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK with Factory Stereo

Completely plug and plug. Has worked decently so far. The screw that holds the camera to the mount has rusted but that’s a simple fix. I have a JScan so I just enabled the backup camera with my factory non nav radio.
That looks pretty good, and I was just thinking about ordering it when I noticed the Stinger.

The Stinger is like the ClearView mirror in my wife's Defender. Holy crap I like that thing in her LR. I can load luggage to the ceiling in the back and it doesn't matter I always have an unblocked view of what's behind me!

I might have to order it instead.

 
#8 ·
I recently added a BU camera for my new-to-me 2015 JKUR.

Bought the wire kit for the stock radio (mine is the 730N) $27

Alpine Electronics ALP-HRN-CAMCH Camera Input Harness for The HCE-TCAM1-WRA, Rear View Camera System & 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler Factory Display Amazon.com: Alpine Electronics ALP-HRN-CAMCH Camera Input Harness for The HCE-TCAM1-WRA, Rear View Camera System & 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler Factory Display : Electronics

Bought the camera for $37

NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H852D49/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_T6APVGP4W58NV4N5FEHW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

And the Jscan for $24 to enable.

Mounted the camera on a homemade bracket that I bolted to the spare tire carrier and pokes through the spokes of the tire. Powered off the reverse light wire in the inside back rear passenger harness

Sure there are better setups, but for < $100 you can't beat it
 
#14 ·
The oem mygig radios REN RER RHR RBZ and RHB all accept a composite video camera

but the radio has to receive a configured for backup camera Can IHS bus message (basd on option being stored in PCM eeprom then being sent over can c bus to TIPM then TIPM translating the back up option configuration ove the can ihs bus to the mygig radio) This is what jscan does - it used can c diag bus at obd 2 port to send message to tell pcm to update option configuration stored in eeprom)

Once configured for back up camera the mygig radio will disp[lay the composite video image from camera that it gets over 2 pins of the white 22 pin connector if and only if it gets a reverse gear can ihs message over the can IHS bus

When auto tranny is shifter into reverse the range sensor grounds certain wires to TCM/PCM
when TCM/PCM sees this grounded combination it sends out a can c digital message indication gear position is reverse
When TIPM gets this message it illuminates the back up lights and sens out a can ihs reverse gear position message which is picked up by cluster and mygig radio

I had to figure out the can ihs bus messages to configure my gig radio to reverse camera option and gear shift reverse position so my adurino/can bus shield could send message over can i9hs bus to radio to display the backup camera on screen whenever a wire is grounded on a digital pin to the arduino allowing back up camera on mygig radio to function properly in my 93 ZJ grand cherokee