Q: Additional Cabling.
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Q: Additional Cabling.
Just a quick question: I'm thinking of installing one of those licence plate rearview cameras, but how do I get the video cable into the cabin? Without drilling, that is? I spent sometime looking around yesterday, but couldn't find a useable passage. Also, I'd prefer not to have to run the cable to the engine compartment into the cabin as it may not survive the high temp there.
The truck is a 1998 Mazda B4000 2WD.
Any suggestions?
Thank you very much in advance.
The truck is a 1998 Mazda B4000 2WD.
Any suggestions?
Thank you very much in advance.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Fresno, CA.
Buy a wireless rear view camera 
I don't know of any location on the cab you can use for the cabling without drilling a hole, or running up through the engine bay. If you have a flex rear window you can run it through there, but your best bet would be to get a wireless camera.
I don't know of any location on the cab you can use for the cabling without drilling a hole, or running up through the engine bay. If you have a flex rear window you can run it through there, but your best bet would be to get a wireless camera.
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
The 1998 might be different, but somehow I doubt it. Under both my passenger and driver seat there are rubber grommets for whatever reason. The hole inside I believe is 5/8", plenty big enough for the camera video wire. It'll pop out either under the front seats or right behind. I can get a quick pic if ya like.
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Originally Posted by RangerPilot
The 1998 might be different, but somehow I doubt it. Under both my passenger and driver seat there are rubber grommets for whatever reason. The hole inside I believe is 5/8", plenty big enough for the camera video wire. It'll pop out either under the front seats or right behind. I can get a quick pic if ya like.
I didn't see any grommets from under the cabin yesterday, but I'll look again. Pictures would help a lot.I thought about the wireless option, but I'd really rather not.
I was looking at the cabling for the radio and other dashboard instruments, any chance there? I'm going to take a look at them more closely to see if there's any entrance point that may be reuseable.
Anybody else's got other suggestions, I'm all ears.
Thanks for your response.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Here ya go:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...e-grommets.jpg
That's the passenger side, looking forward, head against the rear tire, just outside of the frame rail.
As you can see, there are two of them. They are in matching locations on the driver's side. This is a regular cab, so if you have an extended cab, they may move slightly. And honestly, I have no idea why these are here.
In the picture, I used the rear one (albeit on the driver's side) and it came out right behind the front seat. The front one should come out underneath the front of the seat I believe.
Hope it helps.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...e-grommets.jpg
That's the passenger side, looking forward, head against the rear tire, just outside of the frame rail.
As you can see, there are two of them. They are in matching locations on the driver's side. This is a regular cab, so if you have an extended cab, they may move slightly. And honestly, I have no idea why these are here.
In the picture, I used the rear one (albeit on the driver's side) and it came out right behind the front seat. The front one should come out underneath the front of the seat I believe.
Hope it helps.
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Thanks! I'll look for these. I didn't see them before, but now that I know what to look for, I may find these holes.
One remaining question is how to power the camera. I'm thinking of simply using the headlight power off of the trailer plug. IOW, I'll have to switch on the headlights to switch on the camera. The other two leads are for L/R signals. I think the more common practice is to splice into the reverse lights leads, but my personal preference really is to have the camera active as long as the key is on. Sort of like the radio, but I don't know which cables back there to splice into to do that.
Anyhow, right now, I'll be happy if I won't have to drill anything.
Thanks again.
One remaining question is how to power the camera. I'm thinking of simply using the headlight power off of the trailer plug. IOW, I'll have to switch on the headlights to switch on the camera. The other two leads are for L/R signals. I think the more common practice is to splice into the reverse lights leads, but my personal preference really is to have the camera active as long as the key is on. Sort of like the radio, but I don't know which cables back there to splice into to do that.
Anyhow, right now, I'll be happy if I won't have to drill anything.
Thanks again.
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Perhaps you can run a wire into the cab, to a switch to activate the camera? Without knowing the wiring diagram or wires coming out of it I'm not positive that will be applicable, but it should be.
That way you can have it on when you and and off when you want, plus not have to borrow power or splice into any of the rear lights.
That way you can have it on when you and and off when you want, plus not have to borrow power or splice into any of the rear lights.
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Found them! The grommets, I mean. 
It's an oblong-shaped hole underneath about where the safety belt for the side-facing jumper seat in the extra cab is. There's one on each side.
That's also an interesting idea about powering the camera. I'll have to read up on the wiring diagram in the shop manual and may be pull out the radio and/or the glove compartment to see what's available. But, that's a small matter. I can always hook it up to the trailer plug.
Excellent. Thank you very much for your help.
It's an oblong-shaped hole underneath about where the safety belt for the side-facing jumper seat in the extra cab is. There's one on each side.That's also an interesting idea about powering the camera. I'll have to read up on the wiring diagram in the shop manual and may be pull out the radio and/or the glove compartment to see what's available. But, that's a small matter. I can always hook it up to the trailer plug.
Excellent. Thank you very much for your help.
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