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Anyone added a backup camera?

58K views 55 replies 23 participants last post by  lolwisper4321 
#1 ·
One omission in my XTL was the backup camera.

Anyone added one to a transit?

I'm thinking a license plate mount and rear view mirror monitor.

The quote I got from the local customizing shop was ridiculous ($700+) and also included a waiver for a broken windshield when removing the existing mirror.

Thoughts?
 
#4 ·
I've been on Amazon for awhile. It's all confusing. None have any indication if they would directly fit on a Ford mirror mount. I'm not even sure what a Ford mirror mount would mean. I don't see any way to take off just the mirror and leave the adhered arm.

I would't care if it was direct from NASA, I'm not paying $700.
 
#5 ·
The 2015 Transit is so new that I doubt if you will find anything aftermarket (not-Ford-OEM) available for months and months.
 
#6 ·
I found this one (misnamed) that in the comments said it worked on several Ford models. I think I'll take a chance.

 
#7 · (Edited)
I got a monitor off ebay that clips to the rear view mirror. no need to remove anything. Was about $35. Works fine, dual input, rotates/reverses image if needed, etc. I did a quick search and these things are readily available.

Here's a link to the same thing from amazon for $30 delivered.

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Buyee-Inch-Widescreen-Resolution-Selecting/dp/B00M6QOGGK/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1416280666&sr=1-12&keywords=clip+on+rear+view+monitor[/ame]
 
#9 · (Edited)
Airedrifter & all,

Posted this previously. Tadi Brothers has systems that you could add. Look in their RV camera section. 1-2-3- or 4 camera system. Back-up camera has the option of being always on, not just when backing up. Side camera's can help monitor with lane changing. Saw one wired so that when turn signal was activated it switched viewing to that side and rear. You can set it up to display what you want to view and change either manually (push button) or with remote. View from 1 -4 camera angles at a time.

You can place monitor, 7" or 9" , whereever you want, they come wired or wireless.

Backup RV Systems - Tadibrothers

Semper Fi
 
#11 ·
Curt,
The displays ( 3 camera) I've seen have them mounted either forward of the doors (better view of more of the adjacent lane) or under the outside mirrors. You can mount the side camera's just about anywhere. And of course in the rear, either high or low. They also have a rear camera that has two cameras in it. One points down at your hitch the other at the road behind. What I like about the system is that the rear camera isn't just on when you are in reverse, it can be constantly on or not, your preference.

Semper Fi
 
#16 · (Edited)
I got my Transit with back up camera and I LOVE IT! One of the main reason I had to special order my van to be honest. It has a BLACK doted line showing you center of the van handy when you connecting to the trailer, then it has two white lines which help when you park, basically it's connected to a steering wheel radius so whenever I turn my steering wheel angle of those line change to show me where will I end up parked. Really handy! Also it has other lines red means about foot left, yellow about 2 feet distance. Here are pics of back up camera location and a back up camera screen. It will not show white lines on the screen because I took a pic in my garage van has to be moving in order for white lines to come up on the display.
 

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#17 ·
Airedrifter,

I too had one added by the Ford dealer after purchase. Initially quoted the same $695 but negotiated it into the purchase at no additional cost. (They got me for pre-paid maintenance, but that's another story.) Someone else already described where it's located and how it works, so I won't repeat that, but I will second that it integrates perfectly with the van.

Interestingly enough, my salesman mentioned that it was not done by the dealership but by an outside, local vendor under contract to install the Ford warranted system. Perhaps if that's the case in your area you can find out who does the installations and get the same thing for significantly less without your dealer's upcharge.
 
#18 ·
With the standard non-tow mirrors, it would be a benefit to have a backup camera. I have inquired about a Transit specific unit like this one.

RVS-770913 | Chevrolet Express Backup Camera System | Rear View Safety

I am waiting to hear back from Rear View Safety sales dept. With my rear-view-mirror-delete, due to no windows, there is a great spot to mount the display.
 
#19 ·
I ended up installing these.

It was a bit hairy but I got it done. Threaded the camera wire through the license plate light, the wires through the flexible conduit on the rear door, across the doors under the head liner and into the box surrounding the rearview.

Matching up the mirror and the mount was a bit of a deal. The Transit mount is NOT like other Ford mirror mounts and I had to be pretty McGiver about getting a solid mount. Ended up threading the center of the glue on, used self threading fine cutting thread machine screw, split washers, and threadlock.

Can't tell it's not factory. I wish there was a more center mount but I put a red dot on my trailer and back to it. :)



Amazon.com: Pyle PLCM18BC License Plate Mount Rear View Backup Parking Assist Camera, Night Vision LEDs, Built-in Distance Scale Lines, Waterproof, Zinc Black Chrome: Car Electronics
 
#25 ·
I ended up installing these.

It was a bit hairy but I got it done. Threaded the camera wire through the license plate light, the wires through the flexible conduit on the rear door, across the doors under the head liner and into the box surrounding the rearview.

Matching up the mirror and the mount was a bit of a deal. The Transit mount is NOT like other Ford mirror mounts and I had to be pretty McGiver about getting a solid mount. Ended up threading the center of the glue on, used self threading fine cutting thread machine screw, split washers, and threadlock.

Can't tell it's not factory. I wish there was a more center mount but I put a red dot on my trailer and back to it. :)

Airedrifter,

Where did you hook up the power, ground, etc. to on the Transit?
 
#22 ·
Just heard back from Rear View Safety, Inc. They are making a custom molded "third" brake lamp camera. Nice and high up for visibility. Shawn, salesman, said they should be ready for shipping in 3 weeks. Their other packages are $250-$350, so I am hoping this kit will be the same...

Backup Camera System | Rear View Backup Camera | RearViewSafety.com
 
#24 ·
I am not sure where you would look for dis-assembly instructions. Maybe similar to other ford products?

If you do not have a rear view mirror, you can mount a 7 inch or larger screen where the mirror would be. That will be my attack plan since I have no rear windows. Definitely out of the way of forward visibility.
 
#28 ·
Just a point of interest on this companies camera system. The instructions advise it is only to be used when the vehicle is in reverse, so can't be used as an always on camera, like some other systems.:(

Semper Fi
 
#32 ·
Back up Camera

I put in a Licence plate camera with a rear view LCD monitor. The installation of the Camera was nothing difficult. The problem is the rear view mirror. It is not standard. It required me to take off the factory bracket, modify the mount and mount the bracket to the aftermarket mirror. I was a Car Audio installer for 8 years, and a former aircraft mechanic. This took me several hours to get this installation done. I spent about <$200 in parts, but took a while to get it all together. I will say that the camera on the licence plate causes an offset on the view, but nothing that is detrimental.
 
#51 ·
How did you run the wire from the license plate into the cabin of the van? I couldn't find anyway that went in without having to drill any holes..
I put in a Licence plate camera with a rear view LCD monitor. The installation of the Camera was nothing difficult. The problem is the rear view mirror. It is not standard. It required me to take off the factory bracket, modify the mount and mount the bracket to the aftermarket mirror. I was a Car Audio installer for 8 years, and a former aircraft mechanic. This took me several hours to get this installation done. I spent about <$200 in parts, but took a while to get it all together. I will say that the camera on the licence plate causes an offset on the view, but nothing that is detrimental.
 
#34 ·
Taking review camera apart.

It was not easy. Took me about 2 hours to get it apart. Once the housing is off, the mirror twists off. I then took the twist lock mount off and mounted it to the new mirror. Getting the bracket with the mirror on again was difficult, but not impossible.
 
#35 ·
My XLT also didn't came with rear backup camera and I'm planning to install the factory OEM one.

I got the parts numbers on www.fordparts.com and got the camera, the casing and the module on ebay. (only waiting for the module now)

Beside drilling the plastic panel, attached the camera to it and connecting the camera to the module, is anything else I have to do to make this work ? I will really appreciate any help from you guys.

Thanks,
 
#37 ·
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