Goofy thread title but its all I got. I have the backup camera that comes on in the rear view mirror. Is it possible to hook it up to one of the upfitter switches to turn it on even though I am in drive? It would be nice to be able to activate it while towing to double-check the linkages and hookups in moments of 'holy crap, did i forget to put that pin in?'

Thanks boys.

 

Nothin'? Beuller?

 

Check out this thread if you haven't already. A couple of the members in there have something similar to what you're talking about.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...amera-yet.html

Look down toward the more recent posts. The thread was started in 2007 but was resurrected about a week ago with new posts and info.

 

Is it an aftermarket backup cam or the OEM one?

If its aftermarket then yes, it should be easy to do this. If its OEM then I don't know about finding the wires and such.

Anyhow, I have mine rigged up so I can manually turn it on. There's some info about how I did it on my webpage here:

2004 F250 Auxiliary Switch Install

Scroll down to page 2 of the schematics and you'll see how I have it connected up with diodes and such. Works like a charm.

Edit -- some more info about the actual camera installation here:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~jmray/F250BackupSensors.htm

 

It is the OEM one. Man, am I loving that thread ps72 put up. Off to check out yours now, Baja. Thanks, man.

 

Yes you can but if my guess is right might only work from manual turn on but not reverse feed( might turn on reverse lights when manual switch is on ill get the color codes for ya when i get home

 

you need to grab a diode. A diode acts like a check valve. Only allows current one way. run a wire from your upfitter switch to the trigger wire on the camera

I only have a 2009/2010 Workshop DVD. I'll look at it later and see what the trigger wire is for the Rear Mirror Camera. There is a wire from the Inst. Cluster that runs to the Rear Mirror. This triggers the LCD display on, which in turn powers the Rear Camera on.

You wire the diode so that you don't reverse feed that trigger wire. That way, whenever you flip the upfitter switch, the mirror/camera is turned on.

I'll post up pics in a few hours of the Wiring Diagram.



edit: btw, that write-up you posted up is amazing 1975StroppeBaja! I hadn't even considered doing an electronic 4x2 low range. I was just going to install manaul hubs

 

Thanks!! The low range 4x2 works great and comes in real handy occasionally.

 

Does the reverse switch control the power supply to the camera or does it switch the ground?

 

Photobucket is fighting me right now, so I can't post a picture. My Ford Service DVD only covers the 2009 models, so hopefully your 2011 is similar.

Your camera should have 10-11 wires in it's harness.

Blue: Key On Power
Blue-Gray: Compass -
Gray-Blue: Compass +
Green-Brown: Reverse Signal
Yellow-Green: Microphone +
Blue: Microphone -
White-Green: Drain
White-Green: Video +
Brown-Violet: Video -
Black: Ground


The wire you want to tap into and use the Diode on is the Green-Brown wire. This will trigger the mirror into thinking the truck is in Reverse and will turn on the camera and LCD.

edit: got FTE photo thingy to work 1/2 way. keeps resizing smaller

 

as you can see from the diagram above (the bottom one), the camera is on anytime the truck is running.

so it's simply a matter of triggering the LCD display to turn on. simple and effective. I'm glad you asked this question because I am installing a 2009 F-150 camera into my F-250 right now and these diagrams are priceless. I was going to have to do the research anyways

 

Awesome stuff, tylus... thank you!

 

no problem. I just hope they didn't change much out from the 2010 to the 2011 during the redesign.

Ford likes to re-use stuff. Chances are that harness stayed the same

 

Anybody know what wire is the trigger wire for the backup camera for the navigation screen?

I have the backup camera in my navigation screen and would really like to do this upgrade.

Thanks guys.

 

I did this mod this weekend on my 2010 F350 with the factory camera and the screen in the mirror. The Green wire with the brown tracer is the wire to do this. I accessed this from the main connector behind the passenger side A post kick panel. Wired in the diode and ran a wire under the dash to the #3 upfitter switch. Works like a Champ!!