Backup Camera Relocated.

That is SO beautifully done!!! Thanks for sharing all the details!!!

Whoa, that is sweet!!! Great job!

Does anyone know if it's possible to plug an OEM camera into the existing camera port, but run it through the bumper like OP did? Does the OEM camera run up through the tailgate and down the C pillar?

BruceTheAscent said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to plug an OEM camera into the existing camera port, but run it through the bumper like OP did? Does the OEM camera run up through the tailgate and down the C pillar?

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Up through the tailgate, joining another harness, into the driver's D pillar, coming out in the framework near the rear AC unit. It's an analog camera, using four wires back to the head unit. Two are standard 1V signal wires, two are 6V power wires.

BruceTheAscent said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to plug an OEM camera into the existing camera port, but run it through the bumper like OP did? Does the OEM camera run up through the tailgate and down the C pillar?

Click to expand...

You can plug an OEM camera but that means you would need to purchase the harness and figure out there it connects before it reaches the tailgate. I was going that route but I couldn't figure out which harness to purchase Subaru Ascent rear harness and I didn't feel like spending $135.

Could one add an OEM backup camera to the front of the car and mount a selector switch on the dash? I sure would like a front camera for parking.

Very nice!

8gv said:

Could one add an OEM backup camera to the front of the car and mount a selector switch on the dash? I sure would like a front camera for parking.

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I thought about doing this but I would rather use it for of road purposes. I would also want to activate the camera on demand, not only when it's in reverse. I have an extra OEM back up camera I could use but I'd need to figure out which harness/wires use.

8gv said:

Could one add an OEM backup camera to the front of the car and mount a selector switch on the dash? I sure would like a front camera for parking.

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Use the oem front camera from the Touring instead. Also 6V. And, it will mount in at least Premium and Touring with just one hole drilled (the mounts are in the back).

extremeskibum said:

You can plug an OEM camera but that means you would need to purchase the harness and figure out there it connects before it reaches the tailgate. I was going that route but I couldn't figure out which harness to purchase Subaru Ascent rear harness and I didn't feel like spending $135.

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I was hoping to do the same - would you mind sharing which products you did purchase to make this build happen? I might try to replicate what you've done here, but mount the camera to the top of the tailgate looking down.

BruceTheAscent said:

I might try to replicate what you've done here, but mount the camera to the top of the tailgate looking down.

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For that, you might want to consider the Touring's OEM inside top camera, and the replacement trim housing for it. It will package it neatly away inside the car, behind the glass, and in the wiper zone. It gives a great wide angle rear view image, like looking at the rear view camera, but can be digitally angled downwards to look down.

Here are the parts I purchased:

• Reverse Backup Camera
• 3 Way Round Rocker Switch 12V

Everything for less than $30.

You'll also need about 10 feet of wire to connect from the OEM camera wire to the switch (length depends on location), you'll need to split the video feed from the head unit to the switch and from there camera to the switch. I used speaker wire (because that's what I had laying around). There is a small access panel on the rear hatch, you can also mouth the switch there so that would require a much shorter wire.

Here is a tip, when you ground the camera, make sure you ground it using the camera wire because the camera wire grounds to the head unit and the head unit has a clean ground. I made the mistake of grounding to the body and I get interference on the new camera. The OEM camera is still crystal clear.