Wanted to give everyone a heads up. Today I just finished installing a new backup camera on my truck. It replaces the tailgate latch with a new one that has an integrated CCD camera. There are several brands out on the market, but this one just came out this month:



It's made by Rostra, and it fits 2004-2012 F-150 and Superduty (according to their site). I have a 2008 tailgate, and it was a perfect fit for mine. Got mine from a place called Brandon Distributing. Very good customer service, even followed up with me after my order was placed to let me know it was a brand new product, and that they would ship me one as soon as the got it in inventory. Don't know if posting the link to a non-sponsor like this is kosher, but what the hell:

ROSTRA Latch Camera for 2004-12 Ford F150 Trucks

The reason why I'm pimping this camera is that it's at least $100 cheaper than any other brand I've found out there. I picked this one up for $220, and most others were $350+ for a CCD version (which is what my Kenwood requires). It looks to be really high quality, the picture is better than my old backup camera, and it looks OEM. So I'm happy with it.

One thing to note, I was searching the forums trying to figure out where to tap into the reverse tail lights for the camera, and no one had a consensus on where to tap into the cab. Everyone always pointed at the harness under the hood, or the wire loom at the back bumper. Yet this kit was set up for connecting somewhere in the cab. I did find a thread that pointed to the wrong wire under the steering column, and connecting my backup camera to this wire caused my truck to ding like I had the key in the ignition with the door open.

So..... passenger's side kick panel, black wire w/pink trace. Can't miss it. Tap that wire, and there's a ground right there as well. Works perfect for those looking to hook up a backup camera, and need a place to tap into the cab rather than outside. This backup camera kit has the exact perfect wiring length to tap into that kick panel, if you have an in-dash DVD system like mine. If you're using a rearview mirror display, it might fit, but I don't know for certain.

Anyway, just wanted to post this to help others. I was kinda frustrated with my online search for backup camera info, so maybe this will help future installs.

 

Curtis, post a pic of your monitor with the camera activated please!

Stewart

 

As you wish

<img src="http://powerstrokearmy.com/photopost/data/500/medium/2012-10-21_17-45-50_733.jpg" />

It's not grainy on my screen, that's just how my phone picked it up.

By the way, that's an 8" drop hitch, and that camera picks it up on the very bottom slot. My old camera wouldn't see it at all.

 

Great info on the black wire pink tracer for the in cab signal. When I installed a back up camera on the wife's truck, I just ran a wire to the back to pick up reverse since I had to run wires to the camera anyway.

That's a pretty impressive wide view for a camera that seems to be pointing mostly down.

 

nice panoramic view. My backup cam is on the license plate, pretty cheezy, but it works

 

VERY nice!

Stewart

 

That's what I just replaced. Except mine quit working.

 

That is a nice view

 

I've always wanted to do this! Awesome view!! I'm still rocking a stock head unit, so it won't be anytime soon for me.

 

I really like the OEM appearance. Let us know in several months how it holds up.

 

Yup. Can't argue with that. I'd have to agree!

Stewart

 

NICE view O YEA

 

I concur !!! I don't think Rob's wife knows he is posting her photo on his profile.

 

If it breaks, I'll post up why and how.

 

I just ran across this camera, myself, and found your thread looking for reviews/feedback. Thanks for posting. Curious: my 08 is already pre-wired and has the blue screen in the mirror for a few seconds when I select reverse. Sometime prior to my purchase of this truck, the tailgate got replaced. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone has spliced this into an existing 'mirror' setup rather than the 'glass cockpit'. Today is Thanksgiving, so I may give Brandon Distributing a call tomorrow to see if they have advice. Thanks again for posting, especially the rear shots.