PDC mod
 

I have the License plate PDC retrofit kit sitting around in the garage for a few weeks and just now that I finally have the time to install it (I even had time to install the grocery gripper). I have to admit that I somewhat regret not spending the extra $700 bucks on OEM PDC when I ordered the X a few years back. But this retrofit kit somewhat makes up for it and I'm very pleased with the result! Attached is a couple of pics, but you would hardly notice it on the black beast :) I'll do a write up on the install if anyone is interested.

BTW...Thanks to the site sponsor, Morristown BMW, for the great discounted price and Mike/Nick for the great services/helps.

Nice job! Can you tell us exactly what that piece is in the last picture? Does this wire into the X5 (i.e. do you have a button) or is it simply engage when you go into reverse? How much was it?

The plastic piece in the last picture is what BMW calls "grocery gripper" and it's in their accessory catalog. It's simply something for plastic grocery bag handles so your groceries won't slide all over the place.

The License plate PDC is wired into the reverse light, so it'll engage automatically when going into reverse. There's no button to activate. I got it for $220 + shipping.

Well...here's my contribution to this awesome site...The license plate PDC installation tips article has been written (see items #13 and #14 under the Body, Wheels, & Styling section of the home page). Item #13 is the instruction from BMW and item #14 is the installation tips.

looks nice :)

Thanks for your DIY instructions. I will be installing it on a 2006 3.0 i

Are you happy with its sensing abilities as I have read about some concerns that it is mounted too high compared to rear bumper mounted sensors ?

What type of drill bit did you use for drilling thru metal ? ( 12 mm step bit is mentioned in BMWs instructions )

Thanks again for the DIY with detailed photos.

It worked surprisingly well for only 2 highly mounted sensors. Straight back, you'll get the first faint beep starting at about 3ft-4ft that turns into a solid beep at about 1ft. At 45 degree, you should really stop at the first few beeps.

I don't recalled what size drill bits I used, but I did start out with a small drill bit (probably 5mm), then step up to a larger sizes to enlarge the hole until the rubber grommet fit in tightly.

Again, the most difficult part of the mod would be to fish the wires through the rubber boot between the tailgate and body. A couple of others that also did this project also agree...so don't say I didn't warn you :)

I came across this

Here is where you can make it easy on yourself. Make a "sewing needle" out of some stiff wire. I used some spare solid core copper electrical wire I had laying around.It is flexible, but still stiff enough to do what I need. ( I plan to use a wire hanger ) Make a loop with your wire to form the eye of the needle. Slide the eye through the grommet, so that the loop is accessible. It helps to put a small amount of lubricant on the needle to aid in sliding it through (I used a thin film of Vaseline).
Pass several inches of the wire you are running through the eye of the needle.Pull back on the other end of the needle to easily pull the wire through the grommet. It will make short work out of fishing the wire through the grommet.

Pics here

http://shbox.com/fw/fw3.jpg

http://shbox.com/fw/fw4.jpg

http://shbox.com/fw/fw5.jpg


You can tie a string to one end of the wire and pull it through the grommet-them tie this sring to the wire you want to thread and pull it through. This is described here

1. If you do not have a 'fish' tool, make one up out of at least 2 feet of semi flexible wire. An old coat hanger will do. Make sure you bend both ends back on themselves so when you push it through the grommet it won't get punctured. Tie the 6 foot piece of strong string to one end of the fishing tool and put a piece of electrical tape over this end. Lubricate this 'tool' with vaseline or similar.
2. Working from the inside of the truck, feel for the grommet and start feeding the 'fish' through towards the door. You can help it along by feeling and shifting the 'accordian' part of the grommet with your other hand. Once you are through to the inside of the door. Pull the 'tool' and string through to the door and out the speaker opening but make sure you leave enough string on the inside of the truck so you can pull it back..
3. Untie the string from the 'fish' tool. Tie the string securely to the free end of the 8-wire bundle and tape it securely. You do not want it to accidentally pull off.
4. Lubricate the 8-wire bundle and pull it through the grommet to the inside of the truck.

I can only tell if this will work after I do this. It is supposed to be the toughest part of the job.

Professional fishing tools :p:
http://www.howtowireahouse.com/Fiber...Push_Rods.html

http://www.howtowireahouse.com/Fiber...Push_Rods.html

http://www.howtowireahouse.com/Exten...Retriever.html

A wire hanger sprayed with a lubricant did the trick for me.

the sensor starts beeping at 12 to 15 ft with a continus beep at 4 to 5 feet- did I install the wires wrong or thats the way it is ?

Are you placing the controller in the proper location as indicated by the instructions? I found that the brake/tail light wirings are VERY noisy. If you place the controller or run the sensor wires anywhere near those brake/light wires, it will behave erratically.