So if you install a rear bumper with tire carrier or jerry can holders you get a nice blocked view on the back up camera. I searched Mud and the internet and found that people with a 100 series cut a new hole in the hatch so the camera moves over and is not obstructed. Not sure what company, but they even sold a block off plate to cover the hole. Not much out there for us 200 owners so I started looking at the above option. It is possible to make another hole in the 200 hatch, but did not want to. I know on the Aussie bumper they sell a relocation kit that moves the camera to the spare tire carrier. Almost impossible to get here in the states so back to staring at the rear hatch. Once the wheels started turning I was looking a the license plate lights which are useless now since my plate is on the jerry can holder and compared size of the lens to the size of the camera. Much easier to cut a hole in a piece of plastic that is easily replaceable if needed so I tore into it with a saw and removed the camera for test fitting. The wire harness also needed to be longer so I cut the harness and lengthened with enough slack to mount in the place of the license plate lens. A soon as I spliced the harness I crossed my fingers and made sure the camera still worked. No problem there. Now I needed to mount the lens into the modified lens. After test fittings and getting the best angle I used a plastic bonder to mold around the camera and merge it to the lens. Once dried I was able to sand and paint. Could not believe how easy this was going. Once the paint was dry I did a final test fit to make sure everything was good. The only small snag was that I had to cut the harness connector to fit since the angle of the lens connector was against the tailgate. Easy sacrifice since I got the best angle I could. Very easy mod and very satisfied how it turned out. Next up is the sensors in the bumper. @MScruiser has already done this so I will follow his lead on it. I did not take as many pics as I usually do, but here is what I did.
Blocked view
Longer harness splice
Test fitting the lens. You can see the gaps that need to be filled so the unit is sealed from the elements
Blocked view
Longer harness splice
Test fitting the lens. You can see the gaps that need to be filled so the unit is sealed from the elements
