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Rearview Mirror Monitor / Camera Installation

37K views 28 replies 16 participants last post by  FORKLIFT352 
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Installation of a Rearview Mirror Monitor and Camera

By "Pushbutton"

8 July 2006

This instruction was done based on a 2005 Magnum, but with some minor change could work on any of the LX cars.

Objective: Resolve the very poor rear view on the Magnum in a better way than either ultrasonic or infrared sensors can provide.

Self-Imposed Restrictions:
- No big holes in the body.
- No modifications to the Navigation system due to an extended warranty.
- Good visual integration with the interior.
- Wife-proof. Sorry, but I had to say that!

Equipment Selected:

- Smallest Rearview Backup Camera, Waterproof, 7/8" long by 5/8" diameter...about $105. Ref. eBay # 4646251866.
- Rearview Mirror/Monitor (MM from here on in this blurb) 9.5" wide by 4" high. Same width as OEM, but 1.5" higher...about $150 w/ useless camera (see end of article). Ref. eBay # 9742009270.

I had considered the larger 12" wide mirror, but it was far too big to preserve a decent view to the front. Also, I had considered the visor and small LCD on the dash but discarded them for ease-of-use reasons.

Tools Required:

Voltmeter
1/2" drill
1/8" drill
Pop rivet gun
Silicone Sealant
Fish
Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
Terminal Crimpers
Soldering Gun & Rosin Solder
Trim Tool
Tywrap Gun
Phillips Screwdriver
Flat Screwdriver
Small Hammer or Mallet
Torx Screwdriver T-20


The Process:

Step 1

Mount the MM to the vehicle. This is the biggest issue with the LX's since the EVIC is very close to the OEM mirror and there is insufficient room for the taller MM. You will have to move the mirror mounting metal piece down about 1 - 1.5". I suggest having a professional glass shop do this. I did and it cost me $20 and 15 minutes...far cheaper on both counts than a new windshield!



Step 2:

Secure the MM to the OEM mirror. The MM is a clip-on design, but it does not hold securely on our mirrors. So I used Radio Shack High Strength Velcro, two pieces, about 1 x 1.5" from the OEM glass to the back of the MM.



Step 3:

Open up the car panels. Remove the following panels:

- Rear Seat bottom, just pull up hard on the front about 1' in from the side.
- Cargo floor down to the battery.
- Rear Opening Lower Cover, 4 Phillips screws.
- RH Tail Light access cover



- Front Passenger end of dash trim, pry lower edge first with trim tool, then pull gently.
- RH windshield ("A" pillar) trim, pries out from top with trim tool, then rotate horizontal while pulling gently.
- Front passenger lower door opening trim, pry with trim tool from rear of piece, rotate upward while pulling backward.
- Rear RH passenger lower door trim…partially. Pry up front only with trim tool



- Front passenger seat belt cover, 4 Phillips screws, slide belt out with seat fully forward.
- Remove about 5-7 (I forgot!) white push rivets with trim tool to expose wire bundle aside front & rear seats.

Step 4:

At this point I suggest that you connect the rear view camera to the MM and temporarily wire it according to the instructions. This will allow you to select proper placement of the camera and monitor prior to making any cuts.

Step 5:

If you liked what you saw in step 4 you are ready to commit!
With a pencil locate the camera position. Mark & drill two 1/8" holes. Remember to locate it out of the way of pedestrians and car wash implements of destruction.



Step 6:

Drill one ½" hole in the rear inside fascia on either side of the rib, just below the thicker section of metal, as shown in the photo. (Photo is looking almost straight down.)
NOTE: I had already installed an infrared backup alert below the license plate. This accounts for the four black and black/green wires shown on the right of the rib.



Step 7:

Pop rivet the camera to the car. Consider using aluminum rivets for security and antirust as well as backup washers on the inside …if your fingers can reach; I got only one!



Step 8:

Since I already had the backup sensor installed I hooked up a red 22 AWG wire to the RH backup light and ran it forward to the MM as a "reverse sense'" circuit to awaken the MM. I also tied in the camera power to this circuit in the rear of the car. Ground the camera power ground anywhere convenient.

ALTERNATIVELY: You can find the same wire in the RH passenger foot well as a white wire with a light green stripe in a brown 26 pin plug, pin 17. (Thanks to Magnum Maniac.)

Step 9:

Run the red "reverse sense" wire and the camera video output cable forward along with the main wire harness bundle.



Continue to string the cables towards the front along the wire bundle path.



Dress the cables carefully around the seatbelt mechanisms.

Step 10:

Dress cables to the side of the bundle and secure them to the main bundle with tywraps…sorry for the bad photo!



Step 11:

Dress the extended wire from the MM under the front lip of the headliner, down the "A" pillar to the passenger side kick panel area.



Step 12:

Find an ignition hot wire. It should be pink with a white stripe (thanks again Magnum Maniac). I simply hooked mine into the same accessory (lighter) tap that I had used for the radar detector and cell phone hands free unit.

Step 13:

Wire it up per the instructions that came with your MM and camera.

- Camera input (do not shorten the cable, simple coil it up & hide it).
- Ground.
- "Reverse sense" to backup circuit.
- Ignition (Hot).

Solder and insulate all connections with butt connectors & tape. Secure wires as required.



Step 14:

Turn it on and behold your work!

Please note you will want to use your MM controls to select the proper image (normal if you have a "reversed camera" or reversed if you have a "normal camera"). Basically you want the same perspective that you get in the actual OEM mirror.



NOTE: The actual MM image looks a lot better than this. I think it is the way the digital camera processes vs. the human eye…don't know for sure.

Take notice of the Weller soldering gun, a Christmas gift in 1957, the kneeling pads and the DeWalt case as they appear in the above image as compared to the real view below.



Notice how close the items are to the rear bumper. I put the 20# propane tank in afterwards for visual scale.

Seal any holes you made with silicone RTV and let them set for 24 hours before moving anything around them.

Step 15:

Put it all back together before you wife gets home!
 
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