E53 Rear Camera Shortcut Mounting
 

Today I installed my rear camera in anticipation of receiving my Eonon GA6166 head unit tomorrow. Forgive me if this approach has been done before, I'll just share my current take on how I went about it.

I've seen lots of amazingly good work by folks here and elsewhere on installing their rear cameras and give props to them for their efforts. Many of these approaches involve mounting the camera in the rear lift gate, and that's, IMHO, an optimum position for them, however, I wanted a simpler approach that would avoid me having to pull all the inner trim off and run the cables down to the floor near the spare tire from nearly the highest point of the vehicle.

This is the camera I selected. Part of my selection criteria was having the trigger wire running within the video cable so only one cable needs to be pulled up to the HU where you can make the video and trigger connection.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_P...=w1001-h691-no

CMOS 170° Anti Fog Night Vision Waterproof Car Rear View Reverse Backup Camera | eBay

This is my end result, incorporating the camera alongside my retrofitted OE trailer connector & harness:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uW...=w1187-h890-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KI...=w1187-h890-no

This location allowed me to come into the rear floor pan in through the tailgate wiring boot, which I liked for ease of access and the perfect location for me to make my connections in the spare tire area. This also puts me right smack in the area of where the reverse bulb wiring is located, so as to make that connection tap easier.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Op...=w1187-h890-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pF...=w1187-h890-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/47...=w1187-h890-no

A slight razor blade cut in the side of the boot just big enough to allow a push of the connectors through was all I needed. I feel the boot seal around the wire is adequate enough for my needs.

Here below is the camera wire going through the side of the boot

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FT...=w1187-h890-no

Here are the camera wires coming inside the body just behind the spare

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P7...=w1187-h890-no

Pulling the video cable through to mate up with the camera

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AX...=w1187-h890-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ig...=w1187-h890-no

Connections to camera made and hidden behind the factory wiring cover

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Px...=w1187-h890-no

Granted, this is not as clean an install as some of the amazing work done by others, but it will work for my needs and is low enough to be subtle to my eyes.

This is the left side reverse light bulb wiring so when I dive into the wire bundle I can tap into the correct reverse positive trigger wire

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wq...Q=w668-h890-no

This is the right side reverse light bulb wiring, it has a different colored positive wire with stripe. I've been told that in BMW wiring, brown is ground.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EA...g=w668-h890-no

I'll figure out which one I can find in the wiring bundle when I tear into that tomorrow.

I'll adjust the angle of the camera after I am able to view the image on the Eonon screen.

I've wanted a video TPMS system for a while (don't have one in my E46 w/Eonon GM5150) and with this install I'm going with this external sensor TPMS system and will incorporate it into my HU and camera install.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/su4AAO...eY/s-l1600.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361386621796

Mike

THANKS for sharing - please keep us informed with the rest of the install!
total cost?

Just had a flat tire yesterday - built in standard tire pressure system notified me with enough time to get home and fix the tire in my driveway. You need sometime more accurate?

Looked up the head unit you are planing - why does it say "Android"? Does that just mean its computer system is based on Android? and would it sync/work with/apps of iPhone also?
Curious how "plug and Play" the head unit will be.

THANKS

My 2003 X5 doesn't have any factory TPMS system. I hated the embedded sensors in the wheels whose batteries ultimately die and you end up replacing a very expensive sensor or their batteries with an unmounting of the tire.

I am attracted to the ease of dealing with the battery in an external sensor as well as the video display of pressures and temps anytime I am inclined to want to check the tires.

The Eonon HU I am planning is an Android based OS platform and can link to your phone hotspot for live internet based apps for music, software updates, etc.

There is a good thread on this unit here:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...on-radios.html

Mike

I would rather be camerafree that have 2 bolts like that running through the bumper.

Hi Jsoto,

That's quite all right, I recognize my approach might not be exceptionally appealing cosmetically.

The two bolts were necessary for me to add the Westfalia factory hitch wiring plug attaching bracket

http://www.xoutpost.com/members/semc...x5-wiring1.jpg

I appreciate your comment because it has energized me now to paint those bolt heads black which would make them less obvious.

Thanks again Jsoto

Mike

Received the Eonon HU today

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xK...=w1184-h888-no

Got my work cut out for me with factory Nav (no DSP) and hauling that Fakra harness all the way to the rear. :wow:

Mike

I was under the impression you only needed to run the cable to the rear for the DSP amp. That said, I wasn't aware you could do NAV without DSP so what do I know?

Yes OF, apparently DSP was a separate factory option (at least in my 2002/2003 build year) and factory NAV could be ordered separately.

I am not sure that the Eonon GA6166 is able to be integrated into the on board DSP system :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: but their advertising copy says that it can here:

:dunno: :dunno: :dunno:

http://www.sbo2.net/photo2/CA6166/CA6166-05.jpg

Mike

Why did'nt you use the camera on your goodies table, Milton - did it come with the HU?
Do you have cell bluetooth before this retrofit?
My 04 was wired for it but I had to find the ULF unit (I think thats what its called - the box in the back side panel that runs it).
And is the new head unit compatible with the bluetooth - show your calls coming in on the screen/phonebook?

Thanks for sharing all this!

Hi Kevinkay,

Yes, I could have used that one but it still would have been put by me below the bumper and by using the license plate camera, I minimize the off center offset :dunno: :dunno:

I can still retrofit the Eonon camera if things don't work out with the one I've already mounted.

Yes, I currently have a Dice Mediabridge BT set up but I really wanted a more modern resolution GPS, BT integration and DVD infotainment system and for <$300, what could go wrong???? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Mike