Back-up camera
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 847
Likes: 4
From: In my house..
So I put a backup camera on Bubba, and it's pretty cool. However, the issue is that while the camera outputs what it assumes is centered behind the van, it's actually mounted on the licence plate well in the door so the image is off center by a foot or so. It's something I will compensate for over time if no other simple mounting location is possible, but has anyone else installed one in the rear center? How did you do it? Mine's specifically a 97 E-350.
or..
mount it on the roof and cover it or maybe along the inside edge of the rear window, the trick is finding a way to rotate the camera inside the housing allowing you to position the bracket in a manner that suits you best
or..
modify the existing mount so the camera is at the inside edge of the license plate instead of the center, get creative..
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 847
Likes: 4
From: In my house..
This is what i had in mind..
flush-mount camera $13.30
5" TFT LCD Monitor $24.10
mounting ideas..
https://www.google.com/search?q=flus...OS%3B300%3B300
flush-mount camera $13.30
5" TFT LCD Monitor $24.10
mounting ideas..
https://www.google.com/search?q=flus...OS%3B300%3B300
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 414
Likes: 1
remove the LR door panel and drill hole through door skin as close as permitted to the edge the door, the hole should be just big enough for the lens of the camera to fit through snugly, fabricate two 90 degree angle brackets and attach one to each end of the camera bracket then drill 2 holes through the inside edge of the door and through the corresponding angle bracket, use rivets and gun to secure, run wiring and reinstall door panel..
or..
mount it on the roof and cover it or maybe along the inside edge of the rear window, the trick is finding a way to rotate the camera inside the housing allowing you to position the bracket in a manner that suits you best
or..
modify the existing mount so the camera is at the inside edge of the license plate instead of the center, get creative..
or..
mount it on the roof and cover it or maybe along the inside edge of the rear window, the trick is finding a way to rotate the camera inside the housing allowing you to position the bracket in a manner that suits you best
or..
modify the existing mount so the camera is at the inside edge of the license plate instead of the center, get creative..
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
The camera I have now was very inexpensive, and while it's functioned satisfactorily so far without issue, I'm hesitant to drill into the van to mount it because I don't see it lasting 10 years and I don't want to deal with another round of surgery if I can't find a similar sized replacement. I've gotten used to the offset with it mounted in the plate well, to be honest. It does give a good view of what's behind the van, so it serves its' purpose well as-is.
And it worked well enough that I bought another when I got the '88 Club Wagon. I do not use the rear doors much so I fastened the camera to a piece of pipe strap and stuck it under the weatherstrip on the left side rear door. The view is as close to center as needed and just above the step bumper.
One issue, vehicles are a LOT closer than they appear on the screen.
jim
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Jim that's an exceptionally affordable back up cam set up---thanks for that link.
I'm curious though about Pyle's claims of its IR capabilities---any impressions or observations about how well it works in low light situations, aka "dark" ?
I'm curious though about Pyle's claims of its IR capabilities---any impressions or observations about how well it works in low light situations, aka "dark" ?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
I'm having problems posting photos for some reason but the daytime view is in my gallery:
Rear view camera next to mirror. by jimandnena - Ford-Trucks
At night, with the backup lights on, I can see the house across the street from us. I don't know about IR, usually there is some IR LED light source on the camera and I don't see that anywhere. This is a cheap model but the one on the Explorer has been there 4 years and still working.
jim
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Thanks Jim---I keep forgetting we have rather bright and effective back up lights on our vans! 
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
I'll try to stay up past my bedtime and get some night photos. The rear view mirror is still better for daytime driving but when backing up, the camera is best.
I thought about installing additional cameras like the stealth fighter uses but it seemed a little overboard. :-)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'll try to stay up past my bedtime and get some night photos. The rear view mirror is still better for daytime driving but when backing up, the camera is best.
I thought about installing additional cameras like the stealth fighter uses but it seemed a little overboard. :-)
jim
F-35's make the Millennium Falcon look like a Model T, only quite a bit more I think?
Love to see the night time photos when/if possible. If you can't stay up late just get up earlier?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
Rearview camera by jimandnena - Ford-Trucks
jim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Altamont, KS
I installed a Pyle brand backup camera on my van. It looks just like the one George has. Mostly wanted it for hooking up trailers so that I could see the ball.
Mine is mounted to the top the receiver hitch. I could a chunk of treated 2x4 and attached it to the crossbar part of the hitch and then used a couple screws to mount the camera to the 2x4. The camera sees the trailer ball and I can now back right up to a trailer without getting out. I don't really need it to see out the back since I have windows all around.
Mine is mounted to the top the receiver hitch. I could a chunk of treated 2x4 and attached it to the crossbar part of the hitch and then used a couple screws to mount the camera to the 2x4. The camera sees the trailer ball and I can now back right up to a trailer without getting out. I don't really need it to see out the back since I have windows all around.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Sorry to resurrect this thread again, but I finally got around to buying a backup cam...the flushmount one, to be specific. That said, how do you secure the camera to the car?! I haven't drilled any holes yet, and I've googled the install for these things, but there are literally NO install tips or videos available for the flush mount kind. I'm just really confused on how this thing stays mounted in place.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?