2007 Expedition OEM Back-Up Camera Retrofit

[jmciver]

The factory backup camera was not an option until 2008. However, the piece that has the camera, the chrome trim above the handle on the rear lift gate, looks to be identical to the non-backup camera trim piece. The only apparent difference is that the button to open the rear lift gate is offset a bit to make room for the back-up camera.

I think the OEM backup solution looks the cleanest. I almost went into sticker shock when I saw how much the dealer wanted for that part with the camera. But I still have not ruled it out yet. So.....

1. Has anyone done this retro-fit on a 2007+ Expedition?

2. If so, are all of the harness plugs on the camera trim piece (for the lift gate open button and the rear license plate lights) and the mounting points the same as the non-camera piece?

3. What type of plug, specifically the "video out" plug is on the OEM camera?

Question 3 is probably the most important for me since if I do this I will be integrating the OEM camera with an aftermarket head unit, which uses a standard RCA plug for the video signal.

 

[achilles99]

Has anyone done this retrofit? I'm thinking of doing the same thing on my 08 EL Eddie Bauer...

 

[limited on 22's]

this would be a great mod to do out of curiosity how much is the part ?

 

[jmciver]

If I remember correctly, the cost for all of the parts came to over $500+ from the dealer. And there was no guarantee I could easily integrate the OEM camera (which probably uses some special type of video connector) to my aftermarket head unit (which uses a standard RCA connector).

When I get around to my camera upgrade, I am probably going to go with this one here.

However, I still might go the OEM route if I can find the parts cheap and not have to "re-create" a harness video harness connector to hook it up to my aftermarket head unit. But I would have to see the parts first before I drop the cash for them, which is difficult since those parts would be special order at any dealer.

 

[limited on 22's]

yeah thats a nice setup also

 

[achilles99]

The camera itself you can get for about $150:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...rQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2131wt_982

However, I called and asked if it's RCA. It is NOT, it goes into a harness. That harness probably goes into the factory nav I guess?

I will most likely just reuse my AVIC Z3 system with the Pioneer rearview camera. It worked great in my Tundra. I just have to figure out how to run the wire from the back of the Expedition to the front. Anyone ever take apart the liftgate?

 

[jmciver]

That is not a bad price (I could not find one on eBay when I first looked). You will also need a new chrome trim piece where the camera is installed since the one for the camera is slightly different. If I knew what the pinouts were I could probably make a harness. My guess there are probably 4 wires in that harness: two for power (12V and GND) and two for video (+ and -).

 

[jimmyv13]

I will most likely just reuse my AVIC Z3 system with the Pioneer rearview camera. It worked great in my Tundra. I just have to figure out how to run the wire from the back of the Expedition to the front. Anyone ever take apart the liftgate?

I will probably do the same when I get around to upgrading. The wife is getting antsy about a touchscreen nav system since her sister has one and she can't be outdone...

 

[achilles99]

I like mine. The nav sucks compared to my Garmin but it does the ipod, bluetooth, and rear dvd great (I can use the nav, radio, xm, or ipod up on the main screen while DVD output plays in the back... I use a headrest monitor).

The ipod controls are super slow if you want to find a song, so I just use playlists.

 

[Expedition]

i've been wanting to do this to! I also thought about replacing the liftgate "Ford" emblem with one off of the 09-11 f150 platinums that's the "Ford" emblem with the intergrated camera into it, but it's slightly bigger then the expedition one

 

[PaisanNYC]

I know its not the "OEM" look, but I have used the Boyo VTL-300 (black finish) license plate frame camera twice. Great clarity and night vision makes backing up an ease here while parallel parking in NY!

 

[bionichicken]

Backup camera

I have a King Ranch with a key lock tailgate. I replaced the key lock with aftermarket camera. Put in an actuator for the tailgate lock and have a camper top with an actuator lock. Now when I lock and unlock the doors the tailgate lock and camper top lock works in conjuntion with door locks. The rear camera works both in reverse mode and when I am going down the road so I can see what's behind me and also watch my trailer when it is being towed. If you buy afternarket I would suggest Boyo brand.

 

[achilles99]

I ended up using the Avic Z3 camera (sold separately). I ran the wire by cutting a small slit by the license plate light on the tailgate. Ran the wire along the inside of the hatch, through the rubber grommets, under the headliner and to the front of the car. Cord was just long enough to locate the camera junction box in the side panel of the passenger side.

I had to tap into the reverse wire and the parking light wire located in the bundle of wires in the passenger sidesill. I believe the reverse wire was green/brown and the parking light wire purple/white (used it as illumination wire since Ford doesn't include it in the factory harness). Use a voltmeter on the taillight plug to figure out the exact wire colors for reverse and parking lights.

 

[TIKT B8]

1. Has anyone done this retro-fit on a 2007+ Expedition?

2. If so, are all of the harness plugs on the camera trim piece (for the lift gate open button and the rear license plate lights) and the mounting points the same as the non-camera piece?

3. What type of plug, specifically the "video out" plug is on the OEM camera?

Question 3 is probably the most important for me since if I do this I will be integrating the OEM camera with an aftermarket head unit, which uses a standard RCA plug for the video signal.

I am in the process of doing this but i am going to use the factory head unit with a lockpick.

2. The harness will not work because the light and gate button piggy back onto the camera harness instead of the other way around.

3. The camera does not have a video out plug. It uses a harness with 6 wires. 1) 12V 2)Ground 3)Shield 4)Dead 5)Video + 6)Video -

I am going to cut off the harness and connect a RCA cable to the video +/- and run the power and ground wires independently.

Here is the camera end

Here is the wire that I will be using to add a RCA end to the camera

Here is the wiring where the lights and button piggy back on the camera harness, it is a bad picture but hopefully you get the idea.

Here are the parts that I have gathered to try this install. I just have to order the lockpick to start the install. I have found two complete camera housings and an additional camera.

 

[hjsimpson]

I am in the process of doing this but i am going to use the factory head unit with a lockpick.

2. The harness will not work because the light and gate button piggy back onto the camera harness instead of the other way around.

3. The camera does not have a video out plug. It uses a harness with 6 wires. 1) 12V 2)Ground 3)Shield 4)Dead 5)Video + 6)Video -

I am going to cut off the harness and connect a RCA cable to the video +/- and run the power and ground wires independently.

Here is the camera end

Here is the wire that I will be using to add a RCA end to the camera

Here is the wiring where the lights and button piggy back on the camera harness, it is a bad picture but hopefully you get the idea.

Here are the parts that I have gathered to try this install. I just have to order the lockpick to start the install. I have found two complete camera housings and an additional camera.

You looking to get rid of your additional camera?

 

[TIKT B8]

Yes after i install one in my car I will be selling the spare camera and the other complete camera chrome housing w/camera. I will be selling all of the pieces for the price that I paid on ebay (all parts are used). It will be muuuuuuuuuuuch cheaper than the $650 list on the housing. I just do not want to sell them until I get mine installed just in case I screw something up.

 

[jmciver]

That is very impressive and makes me think I might go that route now. What is the part number for chrome piece and/or how did you search for it on eBay? I can't seem to find it, but I may not be searching right.

 

[TXFRDOwner]

Here's a nice backup cam, thats what I got in my 07 EB. it sits really flush under the handle and looks factory.

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-g...per-CCD-Sensor-free-shipping-wholesalers.html

 

[star-art]

I'm in need of the camera and license plate lamp housing if you still have it. Please let me know. Thanks!

 

[TXFRDOwner]

Don't have any personally, but I bet you won't get one cheaper than $50 (with a nice factory look) anywhere else.