Several months back I completed designing and building a custom harness to allow the nearly plug-n-play install of the newer Ford OEM navigation with Sync in my 2008 Super Duty. As a continuation of this project I added a custom camera system which originally just added a front camera and a custom steering wheel switch to allow turning the video on (regardless of what gear the truck is in) and switching the display between the two cameras.

Well I have now completed what I believe (and my wife hopes) is the final part of this project. This final part just adds a couple more cameras to the system and some pretty cool (at least I think they are cool ) features for controlling the cameras/display. With this new four camera ability it is now possible to have a standard backup camera on the tailgate of the truck, a front camera to aid in nose in parking, a camera inside a trailer and finally a camera on the rear of the trailer. The camera inside the trailer will allow you to see your load while driving to be sure nothing has shifted or if you are hauling livestock (ie. horses) you can check on their well being. The trailer's back camera provides the same features as a normal backup camera on the truck (displays automatically when the truck is shifted into reverse) but it shows the view behind the trailer since the view behind the truck itself is of little value when backing a trailer.

So how does it all work you ask...well, anticipating that some would be curious, I created a short video demonstrating the camera system.

Custom backup camera - YouTube

Steve

 

Steve,

I saw this video for the first time a few weeks ago. This is one of the coolest freakin' mods I've ever seen!!

I have had plans for a long time now to add a rear camera to the truck and one to the back of my cargo trailer. I have been thinking of ideas on how to do those mods. The wife mentioned having one inside for the horses but we never thought of a front-mounted camera.

Having it switch to the front for 15 seconds is genius!!! With big trucks you sometimes need every inch of space to maneuver these things!!

However, I have a 2002. I JUST picked up a 2009 tailgate with step and camera. One of my future purchases will be an in-dash DVD/NAV unit with auxiliary input for a camera.

You must have some type of switchbox to go between the camera inputs? You must be some electrical guru to figure out the in-wheel switch and how to set all of that up. Are you able to supply information, data, schematic and/or a parts list on how to do this?

Is this something that could be done with an aftermarket DVD head unit??

Awesome job!!

 

I see you are in Ohio...might not be to far from me (I am in Louisville).

Anyway, If you want to chat about the system and how you might be able to get it working in your truck jump over to the powerstroke.org forum and PM me. I dont think I have posted enough to be able to recieve PMs here and I am much more active on that forum.

Steve

 

did this require any software programming or was it all done with hardware?

 

There are some custom eletronics I added which include a micro-controller. There is obviously custom software on this micro-controller. In addition there is a bit of custom programming done to the nav unit itself.

Steve

 

This is nothing short of amazing; well done.
Can you take on something like energy self sufficiency or the national debt next?

 

how did you access the programming in the unit itself?