Advice on installing Slee reversing camera bracket (1 Viewer)

[sonk76]

I just purchased the bracket for relocating the reversing camera on to the tire carrier (to regain its useful function.) I received the bracket from slee--it looks great, very heavy duty--but it came with no instructions on the install.

Anybody here have any first hand advice on how to proceed with the install?

My primary questions are around what is the best way to handle the wiring (e.g., cut the camera off at the current location and snake wires back and extend, or leave wire in place and just splice into it at some other point.) And what body trim/panels I should remove to make my access easiest.

Also, any advice on how to best close up the hole left behind by the camera that will no longer be above the license plate?

I'll post some pictures when I get going with it...

 

[BBQ BOY]

I didn't know Slee had such a thing. I'm interested in seeing what's said.

 

[sleeoffroad]

The bracket is just that. It bolts to the center of the tire using one of the studs of the tire mount. The camera bolts to the bracket using the factory hardware. We have not made the cover for the existing camera hole, but a simple piece of ABS plastic with 2 holes work fine with some sealant.

Extending the wiring is left up to the user.

 

[BBQ BOY]

Are you able to see the hitch with the way the camera is positioned? It would be pointless for me if I could not see the hitch to align my trailers up to.

 

[sonk76]

The bracket is just that. It bolts to the center of the tire using one of the studs of the tire mount. The camera bolts to the bracket using the factory hardware. We have not made the cover for the existing camera hole, but a simple piece of ABS plastic with 2 holes work fine with some sealant.

Extending the wiring is left up to the user.

Thanks Christo. Good suggestion on the ABS plastic, I have some lying around so I think I'll go that route.

On the wiring, I'm just hoping to get any insights from those who've done this. I'd rather make new mistakes than repeat old ones

Btw, I love how solid the bracket is--exceeded my expectations, I thought it would have been much "lighter duty".

 

[sonk76]

Are you able to see the hitch with the way the camera is positioned? It would be pointless for me if I could not see the hitch to align my trailers up to.

I have not yet installed this, so can't speak with 100% certainty, but given the physical location of the camera at the back of the tire carrier it seems to me that it would be impossible to see the hitch from there. The back of the tire carrier is a good tires width "beyond" the hitch, and any ability for the camera to see towards to hitch I suspect would be blocked by the tire.

I'll confirm one way or the other once I have this installed.

 

[Tahomatom]

I dont have the mount you speak of but the camera I just installed this weekend can tilt. When I backed up the a trailer the other day I just adjusted it down a little till I hooked up and then moved it back.

 

[1loudLX]

My 05s camera barely shows the bumper in it's location. Moving it farther out onto a swing out and I doubt you'll see the hitch. Maybe you will see just the tip

 

[sonk76]

Ok. I just took a closer look at the location of the new mount and the ability to see the hitch from there. At this point I would be saying there is NO WAY that you can see the hitch from the new location (unless some crazy time/space twist/discontinuity/worm-hole stuff is going on... but crazier things have happened.)

I'll confirm for sure once the install is complete (tonight/tomorrow.) I'm only hesitating to get on with the project until I have a little more clarity on what to expect with the wiring... but I may just have to bite the bullet and go to it.

 

[Romer]

This is another option. I can see the hiych https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/519389-moved-rear-camera-less-blockage.html

 

[sonk76]

This is another option. I can see the hiych https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/519389-moved-rear-camera-less-blockage.html

That looks great!

Romer, is there anything other to getting the reversing camera off than unscrewing the two star screws on each side of the camera and then pulling? I've got the screws off, and the camera still feels pretty secure in there. I don't want to break anything by just yanking on it unless that's the only way... any thoughts?

RTH -- I'm in the garage right now trying to get this done, so any quick input is much appreciated!

 

[Romer]

there are actually two plastic clips. I broke them getting it out, no big deal, but if you could get a pliers on the inside, you can squeeze the pins together while you pry it out. Since I used metal screws to put it into place, there was nothing to gain from saving them.

 

[sonk76]

Thanks. I've been trying to get these out for an hour! a real pain in the neck! Can't really get behind there very easily...

 

[Romer]

you can see in the first picture in my link those sqaure holes for the clips are pretty big

 

[sonk76]

Progress updatea

Ok here are a couple of pics off the progress.:

Stainless steel bracket arrived unfinished. I decided to give it the POR15 treatment, followed by a couple of layers of Rustoleum Semi-gloss (for UV protection)

 

[sonk76]

The bracket will ultimately be mounted in the center of the tirecarrier.

I had a very difficult time getting the camera dismounted from its original location. I ended up braking the clips that held it in place (see picture)--and will either purchase replacement clips from Lexus or just mount with regular hardware.

Final picture shows the camera freed from its original spot. I degreased it and gave a cover of some rustoleum to help give some additional protection now that it will be more exposed. You can see I kept the connector attached to camera. My plan is to cut the connector off at the car end, and then run wires up to the carrier, which preserves my ability to then easily disconnect the camera if needed.

 

[sonk76]

I've been looking at how to run the wires and given that I don't see a very easy way to do this, and I am not all that excited about tearing apart my interior trim without knowing what I am doing, I think I am moving to plan b. I am going to copy romer and just move the camera to the left...

Perhaps one day I'll buy a switch and another camera. Then I cam switch between the two backup cameras ...

 

[sonk76]

Change in direction

OK. I switched my game plan to follow the route that Romer did in his camera relocation thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/519389-moved-rear-camera-less-blockage.html

I'll post my further experience along those lines on that thread, so that all the related material sits together.

If I pick up the full relocation effort again, I'll update from here.