rear view camera install

[shortys408]

can anyone verify a way to wire the camera wiring from outside of the trunk to the inside of the car? Someone said maybe through the license plate lights but I do not know how to get these out. has anyone installed one of these that can help me?

[AppleBonker]

can anyone verify a way to wire the camera wiring from outside of the trunk to the inside of the car? Someone said maybe through the license plate lights but I do not know how to get these out. has anyone installed one of these that can help me?

LP lights is the easiest way to go. I don't remember exactly how to get the light bar (trim panel over the license plate) off, but you'll need to take the carpet off of the deck lid. Then, I think there are two bolts and two clips that need to be released. Once that's done, the bar pops off and you can get to work. Here are some pics of where my wiring runs:

Right through the light location:

I had to cut an opening to make sure the wire didn't get pinched (just with a razor blade):

View from the inside:

[shortys408]

great, ill give this a try soon.

[rjdmmfl1]

that "someone" was me , but I didn't install mine this way, I drilled a small hole just under that light

[AppleBonker]

that "someone" was me , but I didn't install mine this way, I drilled a small hole just under that light

As long as the wire gets in there, it doesn't matter too much. One thing I didn't do, but I probably should have, was to seal the hole with some sort of automotive epoxy. Probably not entirely necessary, but would've been nice. Just a thought though.

[shortys408]

sorry doc, i owe you a thank you as well

[rjdmmfl1]

Yeah I agree... also, for the record, I wish I had done mine this way... I do NOT suggest drilling if you can help it!

As long as the wire gets in there, it doesn't matter too much. One thing I didn't do, but I probably should have, was to seal the hole with some sort of automotive epoxy. Probably not entirely necessary, but would've been nice. Just a thought though.

[shortys408]

applebonker, which camera do you have? I ordered the VTL420 from ebay with that 25% off.

[AppleBonker]

applebonker, which camera do you have? I ordered the VTL420 from ebay with that 25% off.

I have a Boyo one, although I don't remember the exact model off the top of my head. It may very well be the 420. I've been very happy with it, so I'm sure you'll like yours. The image is superb for what the thing costs.

[rjdmmfl1]

[QUOTE=AppleBonker]

Boyo here also!

[AppleBonker]

Boyo here also!

I'm assuming you like yours as well. I just double checked, and I've got the Boyo VTL350. They aren't the exact camera, but they're similar (I'm referring to the actual camera, not the frame it is on). You should be happy with it. It works very well in the dark (helps me back up with the limo tints on the back windows - now I can see something).

[rizla]

What did you hook the camera up to display? Did you guys get the 3" monitor set?

Ultimately i'd like to put a car pc in my Altima Couple and have it switch to the backup camera when i put it in reverse. I wonder how easy thats going to be..

[AppleBonker]

What did you hook the camera up to display? Did you guys get the 3" monitor set?

Ultimately i'd like to put a car pc in my Altima Couple and have it switch to the backup camera when i put it in reverse. I wonder how easy thats going to be..

Mine is running into my Alpine HU. When I flip into reverse, it goes on. Also, I can run it at any point (like when I'm driving forward - kinda fun, but pretty useless).

[rizla]

Mine is running into my Alpine HU. When I flip into reverse, it goes on. Also, I can run it at any point (like when I'm driving forward - kinda fun, but pretty useless).

Not sure if you'd be able to give me some tips in what direction I should be heading for my audio/video upgrades, but here's where I stand. I bought an A/C with the Premium Package (Bose 6 Disc w/Bluetooth + steering wheel controls, etc). I love the way it works and sounds. I didnt opt for the Navi package because it wasnt worth the extra bucks becuase I knew I wanted to throw a PC in there.

Now here's the problem with the carPC, from what I've been reading. Since I have the premium sound, the Bose head unit is bigger than normal so I cant just put a secondary DIN in there that has a monitor (i've found a couple that is just a slide out monitor).

Basically I have to sacrifice the Bose system in order to get the in dash LCD, I can either do that or mount the LCD on TOP of the dash board which I def dont want to do for obvious aesthetic reasons as well as theft.

Ultimately my quesion is, can I add an LCD into my dash with the BOSE system or is it an all or nothing setup.

If I decided to scrap it and go with a decent aftermarket head unit, will it play nice with the bose+amp+speakers as well as the steering wheel controls? Now that i've been using Bluetooth I cant seem to part with it..

Now that I think of it, I may have ONE option that could keep the Bose. Find a way to fabricate a mount for the LCD in the bottom compartment below the stereo.

[AppleBonker]

Ok, lots of questions there. If you're looking to put in a car PC, and keep all of the rest of the stereo the same, I believe your only option would be to put the screen in the compartment below the climate controls. I can't see any way to have a pop out screen directly above/below the Bose system without a great deal of custom install work. Also, getting the audio connection to the Bose unit might be tough. I know of no rear auxiliary input for the Bose unit, so it might have to be plugged into the front.

If you decide to go aftermarket for the head unit, the steering wheel controls will still work (with the exception of the phone buttons). Most aftermarket HUs have bluetooth compatibility, so you can still go hands free, just not with the steering wheel buttons. On mine (once I get it setup), I can actually dial numbers from the head unit as well as find locations on my navigation and call them. The amp and speakers will not sound exactly the same either. It will work, but the audio quality will be diminished (and going from Bose to less than Bose is probably a bad idea).

Basically, your best option is the most expensive. Scrap everything Bose and go all aftermarket (not what you wanted to hear I'm guessing). Second best would be to mount the screen in the lower compartment.

[rizla]

Ok, lots of questions there. If you're looking to put in a car PC, and keep all of the rest of the stereo the same, I believe your only option would be to put the screen in the compartment below the climate controls. I can't see any way to have a pop out screen directly above/below the Bose system without a great deal of custom install work. Also, getting the audio connection to the Bose unit might be tough. I know of no rear auxiliary input for the Bose unit, so it might have to be plugged into the front.

If you decide to go aftermarket for the head unit, the steering wheel controls will still work (with the exception of the phone buttons). Most aftermarket HUs have bluetooth compatibility, so you can still go hands free, just not with the steering wheel buttons. On mine (once I get it setup), I can actually dial numbers from the head unit as well as find locations on my navigation and call them. The amp and speakers will not sound exactly the same either. It will work, but the audio quality will be diminished (and going from Bose to less than Bose is probably a bad idea).

Basically, your best option is the most expensive. Scrap everything Bose and go all aftermarket (not what you wanted to hear I'm guessing). Second best would be to mount the screen in the lower compartment.

Thanks, you basicially reiterated what i've been suspecting. I dont want to do a copmplete swap of the bose because I think its good for my needs and god damn it, i paid good money for it! :P

I'll have to figure out a wayt to get a 7" to fit in there without looking to tacky. I can deal with having to connect a cable to the aux input. Not too much of an eye sore for me. I just think having it mounted below the climate control will make my eyes travel farther to see directions from the navi, but I can deal.

Do you think a 7" can fit down there, i havent measured it yet.

Sacrifices... Still love the car though.

[shortys408]

how do i get those 2 clips off to get teh trunk bar off. i am stuck here.

[shortys408]

ok i figured it out. all the wires are ran throughout the car, i just need to wire to the reverse light from the head unit. I also need to find a power and ground. I can find a ground easily but what should I use for power for the camera?

[AppleBonker]

ok i figured it out. all the wires are ran throughout the car, i just need to wire to the reverse light from the head unit. I also need to find a power and ground. I can find a ground easily but what should I use for power for the camera?

Doesn't the power run the length of the wire with the signal cable? I think the one on my Boyo did. So I just tapped into the power near the head unit. That's probably the easiest place (my battery wasn't installed in my trunk at the time I installed my camera. Either way, you have to run at least the signal cable from the camera to the head unit, run a power cable along with it. You can tap right into the accessory power that goes into the head unit (the camera hardly draws any power).

[shortys408]

what color is the accessorie wire?

[AppleBonker]

what color is the accessorie wire?

I tapped into the aftermarket wire harness. On most of these, black is ground, yellow is 12v always on and red is the 12v accessory power. The instructions included with your wiring harness should have that information. I'm not sure what the color of the factory wire harness is. I could check the service manual, but it is probably easier to just tap into the aftermarket wire harness.

[shortys408]

done installing, thanks for your help. did you take any measures to prevent anyone from ripping the camera off your car?

[AppleBonker]

done installing, thanks for your help. did you take any measures to prevent anyone from ripping the camera off your car?

I was trying to think of something when I first installed it. However, there is really nothing you can do other than a normal car alarm. After installing mine, though, I've never noticed any car with an aftermarket rear view camera. This isn't because they don't exist, it's just that no one pays attention to it. I think you'll be ok.

[shortys408]

they make a special locking screw for these, it requires a special allan key with an indent in it to remove it. I may order them.

[AppleBonker]

they make a special locking screw for these, it requires a special allan key with an indent in it to remove it. I may order them.

Like I said, I haven't had a problem with mine. If you're looking for that piece of mind though, I say go for it!

[Hiram]

may i ask where did you get those LED light which you installed them above fog light? that is awesome, dude... plaese tell me, i want one too...

[rjdmmfl1]

may i ask where did you get those LED light which you installed them above fog light? that is awesome, dude... plaese tell me, i want one too...

see here

http://forums.altimas.org/zero...age=1

[mveezy]

can anyone verify a way to wire the camera wiring from outside of the trunk to the inside of the car? Someone said maybe through the license plate lights but I do not know how to get these out. has anyone installed one of these that can help me?

LP lights is the easiest way to go. I don't remember exactly how to get the light bar (trim panel over the license plate) off, but you'll need to take the carpet off of the deck lid. Then, I think there are two bolts and two clips that need to be released. Once that's done, the bar pops off and you can get to work. Here are some pics of where my wiring runs:

Right through the light location:

I had to cut an opening to make sure the wire didn't get pinched (just with a razor blade):

View from the inside:

In case anyone is installing a backup camera in a 2008 Altima, the color of the reverse wire is pink and black, just got done doing this myself.

[omega13]

Can the stock reverse camera be added to a 2008 that doesn't have it?