DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera
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Here’s how to install a backup camera on your car:
First thing is you’ll need the camera and a deck that supports a video input. Here I took apart my aftermarket deck in preparation for routing wires:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-aokwmej.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489466d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-aokwmej.jpg)
The camera I bought was a generic nut-mounted camera that I’ll mount to the chrome trim.
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-plcoyuz.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489467d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-plcoyuz.jpg)
Remove the trunk liner:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-snd2idy.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489468d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-snd2idy.jpg)
Four 10mm bolts to remove the chrome trim:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-aks8gfv.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489469d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-aks8gfv.jpg)
Behind the trim, I will be mounting the camera slightly to the right of the center keyhole, near the right side license plate light:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-esztpfc.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489470d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-esztpfc.jpg)
The camera comes with a hole saw of the correct size, so I drilled the chrome bezel:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ej8vebw.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489471d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ej8vebw.jpg)
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-5sfujbw.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489472d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-5sfujbw.jpg)
Routed and mounted the camera through:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-phujiig.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489473d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-phujiig.jpg)
The nut just barely clears the bolt protrusion on the chrome trim, and the cutout for the license plate light.
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-zq3d5cq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489474d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-zq3d5cq.jpg)
To route the wires through the trunk, I drilled a hole in the decklid. You might want to insulate this hole with a grommet after to prevent water penetration:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-twtymio.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489475d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-twtymio.jpg)
Routing the wires through:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-cightj8.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489476d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-cightj8.jpg)
The video cable provided has a red wire that’s the trigger wire. It will run along with the video line to activate the headunit when its in reverse to turn on the camera:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-44yxrpr.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489477d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-44yxrpr.jpg)
I tapped into the red reverse wire. Good idea to tap into the tail light side of the harness, in case it needs to be replaced in the future:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-lyrldvq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489478d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-lyrldvq.jpg)
For the camera ground, I found an empty connector with a white and black wire that turns out to be ground under the deck lid:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-tsduhlh.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489479d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-tsduhlh.jpg)
Ran my reverse wire up the quarter panel:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ueuu8sq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489480d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ueuu8sq.jpg)
Neatened up my deck lid wiring:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ujpbzus.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489481d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ujpbzus.jpg)
Next, the rear seats need to be removed to run the video line:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-nl2ry2r.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489482d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-nl2ry2r.jpg)
There’s a hole where the trunk wiring harness runs through the body behind the rear drivers side seat bolster:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-1njxkml.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489483d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-1njxkml.jpg)
Ran my line underneath the seat cushion, under the carpet to the center console:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-dth8vdf.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489484d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-dth8vdf.jpg)
Under the carpet:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-e66gqez.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489485d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-e66gqez.jpg)
On the headunit harness, the pink wire happens to be the reverse trigger:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-l0sv12a.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489486d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-l0sv12a.jpg)
I plugged in the RCA cable to the video input, and replaced the interior pieces:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-bfh8d6q.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489487d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-bfh8d6q.jpg)
The end result is a decent quality backup camera (for a generic Chinese headunit that came with the car and an eBay camera at least!):
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-qbwj3jb.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489488d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-qbwj3jb.jpg)
Night time quality is still useable with stock reverse lights and LED license plate lights:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-01ivsvd.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489489d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-01ivsvd.jpg)
First thing is you’ll need the camera and a deck that supports a video input. Here I took apart my aftermarket deck in preparation for routing wires:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-aokwmej.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489466d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-aokwmej.jpg)
The camera I bought was a generic nut-mounted camera that I’ll mount to the chrome trim.
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-plcoyuz.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489467d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-plcoyuz.jpg)
Remove the trunk liner:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-snd2idy.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489468d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-snd2idy.jpg)
Four 10mm bolts to remove the chrome trim:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-aks8gfv.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489469d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-aks8gfv.jpg)
Behind the trim, I will be mounting the camera slightly to the right of the center keyhole, near the right side license plate light:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-esztpfc.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489470d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-esztpfc.jpg)
The camera comes with a hole saw of the correct size, so I drilled the chrome bezel:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ej8vebw.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489471d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ej8vebw.jpg)
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-5sfujbw.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489472d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-5sfujbw.jpg)
Routed and mounted the camera through:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-phujiig.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489473d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-phujiig.jpg)
The nut just barely clears the bolt protrusion on the chrome trim, and the cutout for the license plate light.
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-zq3d5cq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489474d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-zq3d5cq.jpg)
To route the wires through the trunk, I drilled a hole in the decklid. You might want to insulate this hole with a grommet after to prevent water penetration:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-twtymio.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489475d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-twtymio.jpg)
Routing the wires through:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-cightj8.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489476d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-cightj8.jpg)
The video cable provided has a red wire that’s the trigger wire. It will run along with the video line to activate the headunit when its in reverse to turn on the camera:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-44yxrpr.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489477d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-44yxrpr.jpg)
I tapped into the red reverse wire. Good idea to tap into the tail light side of the harness, in case it needs to be replaced in the future:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-lyrldvq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489478d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-lyrldvq.jpg)
For the camera ground, I found an empty connector with a white and black wire that turns out to be ground under the deck lid:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-tsduhlh.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489479d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-tsduhlh.jpg)
Ran my reverse wire up the quarter panel:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ueuu8sq.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489480d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ueuu8sq.jpg)
Neatened up my deck lid wiring:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-ujpbzus.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489481d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-ujpbzus.jpg)
Next, the rear seats need to be removed to run the video line:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-nl2ry2r.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489482d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-nl2ry2r.jpg)
There’s a hole where the trunk wiring harness runs through the body behind the rear drivers side seat bolster:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-1njxkml.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489483d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-1njxkml.jpg)
Ran my line underneath the seat cushion, under the carpet to the center console:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-dth8vdf.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489484d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-dth8vdf.jpg)
Under the carpet:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-e66gqez.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489485d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-e66gqez.jpg)
On the headunit harness, the pink wire happens to be the reverse trigger:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-l0sv12a.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489486d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-l0sv12a.jpg)
I plugged in the RCA cable to the video input, and replaced the interior pieces:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-bfh8d6q.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489487d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-bfh8d6q.jpg)
The end result is a decent quality backup camera (for a generic Chinese headunit that came with the car and an eBay camera at least!):
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-qbwj3jb.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489488d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-qbwj3jb.jpg)
Night time quality is still useable with stock reverse lights and LED license plate lights:
![DIY: How to Install a Backup Camera-01ivsvd.jpg](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/es-1st-to-4th-gen-1990-2006/489489d1683152063t-diy-how-to-install-a-backup-camera-01ivsvd.jpg)
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Fritz330 (01-30-19)
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