My Facelift ZT Rear Camera Install
 

Thought I'd share some photos of my recent handy-work. I purchased a waterproof wide-angle rear view camera from eBay for just under £17 quid.

Whilst fitting my new headunit (a Pioneer SPH-DA100 'AppRadio 2') I also fitted the Harman amp and subwoofer in the boot. This required me to remove all the seats and carpets to run the loom, so whilst I was there I also ran a composite video cable for a future rear camera installation.

http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_2035.jpg

I opened the boot and removed the boot lid liner, disconnected the numberplate lamp wires and tailgate actuator wire, tied a piece of string to the end and pulled it out and down of the rubber sleeve at the bottom right hand corner, then used felt tape to attach the composite cable to the original wires, and then pulled the whole lot back up (routed inside the boot lid along the yellow line in the above photo). I also pulled up a +12v supply and earth for the rear view camera which I took off the reverse parking sensor loom which I found kicking about behind the offside boot trim. I decided not to supply the camera from the reversing lights, but instead an ignition switched supply.

Next, I removed the rear MG badge and it's holder. Cut out an accurate slot on it for the camera to slide into:

http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_2033.jpg

Camera fitted, I glued it in on the back after getting the alignment spot on.
http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_2036.jpg

Next I drilled a 7mm hole in the boot lid, painted the edge of the metal to prevent future rust, and fitted a small rubber grommet. I cut the connector off the wire coming out of the camera, pushed the wires through, and then soldered and insulated the wires back together to keep the hole as small as possible:

http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_2034.jpg

After that I put it all back together, with a new MG badge, and a small but neat smear of black silicone around the camera, and these are the results!

http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_1234.jpg

The headunit has an input from the reverse lights, so when reverse is selected this pops up:

http://www.nbsoft.co.uk/camera/IMG_1235.jpg

The alignment of the camera is spot on, as you can just see the edge of the rear bumper, but also horizontally backwards. And the camera is mounted right in the centre of the vehicle, not off to one side.

Looking at the rear of the car, you'd barely even notice the camera. :D

Very neat work, I'm impressed :bowdown:

JYJ

looks very professional :bowdown:

I like the dd unit which one is it?? :shrug:

Thanks for the kind comments folks! :}

Here's the headunit:
http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25...100/index.html

And the camera:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120892369703

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!! Firefrost ...
Cheers Ian

Well done. What a great neat job you have done there. I have just fitted a cheap 12 quid camera from ebay too. It was a replacement for the radioguy one which cost 50 and was utter rubbish! I was promised that the radioguy one would have a crystal clear picture due to its Sony lens. However because I have the tourer, it wasn't a neat fit and looked awful. The new one is chrome and very neat, although not as good as your tidy installation! Welld done again that man!!

Just installed my reverse camera today as per your description. The result is excellent!

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7175/1n65.th.jpg

Just came by to say thanks for your utterly useful posting :D :bowdown:

Glad to hear it helped you out! It looks great and thanks for posting! :}

Nice Install Neil :clap:

I know this is an old post but I'm trying to do mine now but have one question.

How do I remove the MG badge holder? Looking at your pics it looks like 3 screws with one hidden behind the badge so I assume I need to somehow remove my badge and once complete replace with a new one?

Thanks,
Pat