Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I'm considering installing a rearview mirror with a built in backup camera capability. I'm considering a wireless system for ease of install but would do a wired system if the wireless systems aren't reliable.

I have a 69 with a bolt-to-the-roof rearview, for general ease of install I guess I would have to remove that mirror and bracket and install a mirror that attaches to the windshield glass. There are mirrors that clip to your existing rearview but I'm not sure if that would look janky or if the mirror would remain steady in everyday use.

Does anyone have any experience with products like this? Brand and retail source recommendations?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

This is the kind of product I'm considering. This one is the "strap to your existing rearview" style but there are very similar offerings that are a complete mirror with a glue-to-the-windshield mount.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/37570128909...&ul_noapp=true

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

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I haven't checked on cameras for a couple of years. Those look interesting. Keep us up to date on what you decide to do.

I hope there is someone that has tried this style of camera.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

It's a great price but that seller doesn't have a great reputation rating.

I am looking at this setup, it is what you are looking for but it is also a dashcam and recorder.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Yeah, the example I provided a link to was just to show the type of product I was looking at. First problem is the strap on kind of mirror product are all a little too small. My existing mirror is 12 inches across. With the strap on style, the ends of my existing mirror would be peeking out either end of the new mirror, would look janky.

Then the cabling becomes a problem. Much of it is bulky and would need to be run along the windshield gasket and would look half-assed. With modern cars you can put the cables up under the edge of the headliner and a-pillar covers, no such option on these trucks. One option would be to try to run the cable inbetween the outer roof panel and the inner roof panel, but the install of that would get pretty involved.

Then I thought about just getting a system with a dedicated stand-alone monitor screen. But then where would you mount the screen?

I've put backup cameras on more modern cars and it is so easy since you can connect them into the stereo double din headunit to use that screen. Hard to find a way to do this clean on these old trucks without hacking things up a bit. Might not be worth the trouble.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

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Man it'd be tough to drive without the rear view mirror doing what it does, especially at night. All the other features are great but I'd need to keep it as a mirror. I've seen mirrors that have screens embedded...something like that might work better if available. My GM DD has the backup camera in the mirror and when it's not on, it's still a mirror. Maybe the tech is better than my imagination though and it can do what a mirror does but with camera and screen instead of a mirror.

Having GPS at this price point (Amazon Pelsee P12) is a good thing methinks.

-Kevin

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Well, these products are a mirror when the backup screen isn't active.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

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Well then, I retract my statement(s).

-Kevin

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

How do trucks with the roof mounted exterior running lights get the wiring down to the electrical system? And how were the wires run up to the top front of the cab? I assume the wires ran between the inner and outer skins of the roof, but how were the wires installed in the first place?

Edit: I did some searching and also reviewed the assembly manual and if I wanted to run the wiring through the cab roof it seems it would make most sense to run the wire from the mirror location back to the dome light location and then have the wiring follow the dome light routing.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I don't have Cab Clearance Lights myself, but I'm guessing the wires run up thru one of the A Pillars of the front Wind Sheild Frame.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

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Here ya go...

image from:
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=839261

-Kevin

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Driver's side A pillar. There's a great youtube video on how to easily run the wire.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

You could perhaps just use your smartphone as the screen with sum'n like this: https://www.amazon.com/License-Green..._df_B06Y3TSWLK

This was just the first one that popped up, I'm not recommending an Amazombie brand, but this is essentially off the shelf tech now

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

this^^ kind of thing is also repositionable, so you could move it from truck bumper to trailer

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I have an '09 CTSV. It did not have a factory backup camera. I looked at adding it to the nav but that is spendy. I ended up with a 16 pin Gentex 657 mirror with a display built in from a Buick Enclave and rear trim with camera from a '11 CTS. Like $40 for parts at the pick-a-part. I took a long "pigtail" from the donor car. For a truck most any 4-wire camera would work. The wiring is pretty simple. You can buy a harness on Ebay or make your own from a RCA video cable with a trigger wire (see Amazon). The mirror needs a windshield mount. It does require wiring to the mirror which is probably not simple in a truck. But if you search for "gentex 657 mirror" you can find info on wiring it. You basically have to have power, ground, and a backup signal + video to make it work. A different approach.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I have a Garmin GPS in a A/C vent holder in my '71 GMC Jimmy. Because the tailgate is high, my rearview is rstricted, especially in tight city traffic. I had to back up from making a [northbound] left onto the freeway, when a Cop used his flashing lights and sirens to stop an [eastbound] offender in that intersection. That killed the Left Turn Arrow. [Emergency vehicles emit a flashing strobe signal that automatically commands intersection signals to go their way as a priority.] Not seeing anyone thru my mirrors, I backed up outta the intersection, but a low slung Cadillac was lurking in my blindspot. My ball hitch punched a neat hole in his plastic front bumper, and my rates went up.
I'm looking for a back up camera that plays with my existing equipment.

When I get my '67 K/10 Suburban back on the road, I will need a back up vision system for that,

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Here is my solution to a front/rear facing camera. I installed this after almost getting side swiped because I couldn’t see to the right of me, due to topper and sport mirrors.
It’s an Auto-Vox V5 Pro. I drilled a 3/4” hole in the ceiling skin behind the mirror cover and fished the cable up the a pillar, pulled the visor to help, and over to the center.
The mount is fabricated from mild steel and uses the oem arm.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Is this piece what you fabricated? And can you share any details or pictures of how you did that?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Yes I fabricated the bracket out of 3/16th mild steel. I copied the square mount on the mirror and drilled thru holes for the screws and wire. I cut out a triangle shaped arm with a 3/16ths thru hole for the arm screw. Then I tacked them together and mocked up in the truck. I gently tipped the mirror to a comfortable viewing angle, removed the mount and TIG welded it. Painted it semi gloss and assembled it all together. Pictures attached for sizing.

It’s been a fantastic addition. It’s a “dash cam” as well, hopefully I’ll never have to use it as such.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

That is just beautiful work! It looks to me like you have the best solution. Was there any fabrication involved with mounting the rear-facing camera?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Thank you! Well worth the time and $. Going to do it on the next truck. I think I flipped the camera mount 180. The system is very user friendly, and piece of mind.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

That is a beautiful installation and pretty much what I'm looking to do.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Impeccable timing on the Auto-Vox. There's a Black Friday sale going on now :metal:

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

You can save about $30 over the Amazon Prime price by buying directly from Auto-Vox.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

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For my reference, how does that work at night? The glare of lights through the mirror in a conventional setup vs the glare in the camera generated image?

Thanks,

-Kevin

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

It is a full time camera, meaning no mirror function. The glare isn’t too bad, it’s noticeable when you are at a stop light. The screen does get whited out. That is due to the camera at bumper level.
It is a shift from your standard mirror, but I quickly got used to it. Having a wide open rear view is well worth that inconvenience personally.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I didn't realize the V5 Pro wasn't a regular mirror as well, that it is a dedicated camera monitor.

I wish there was a practical way to mount the rear camera at a higher point than the license plate. I have a retractable tonneau cover that has a metal crossbar/handle at the back I could mount a camera to but then it would be sticking up and be easily knocked off not to mention wiring on a moving platform would be a trick to work out. I also guess you could mount the rear camera to the top of the rear window looking rearward but then that kind of defeats the point of having it function as a backup camera.

I DO like the ability to not wire it to the reverse light and just being able to use it as a backup camera naturally and being able to turn on the lines manually if you really want them.

Where did you mount the GPS module?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Perhaps a Camera mounted in the Cargo Light?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

That might work pretty well, but I don't have one on the truck.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

dont they have a factory mirrior w this option on the aftermarket market

i remember seeing something on another forum at when they put it in reverse , a smaller image or the whole mirror would show up on the backup camera . . . ?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

There are plenty that are just backup cameras that are a true mirror and when reversing a panel illuminates inside the mirror to show what the backup camera sees. The V5 Pro we've been discussing is a front and rear looking dashcam device built into a rearview mirror body. If all you want is a backup camera, the true mirror w/backup feature would be fine and work as a regular mirror when not in use.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I said Gentex 983 in my earlier post but it is actually a 657. Sorry. I think 983 is 10pin with CAN that you don't want but 657 is 14 pin without CANBUS that you can use in a retrofit.

The Gentex mirror I used is this. Full time mirror and shows backup when you go in reverse on about half the screen. You could fab a bracket to get from mirror to existing roof mount or just glue a mount to the windshield like the cars it came from. It has a bunch of functionality like OnStar that you don't need, but with a few wires you can have a backup camera and an autodimming mirror. You just need ignition power, ground, reverse signal, and video at the mirror.

At the back you can use a license plate style camera. Hook both power and trigger to the reverse lights. Use an RCA camera cable (with a trigger wire) to get up to the mirror. Routing the wires up the A-pillar and over is probably the hardest part. This one could be pretty inexpensive. $15 mirror at the pick-a-part, $22 for a camera on Amazon, and $12 for the RCA cable on Amazon. So roughly $50 and some time. You could buy a custom cable on Ebay that would drive the cost up or splice on to the mirror cable from the donor car (or just use the donor plug and buy pins from Mouser).

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

You might also scavenge an in-mirror setup and camera from an 07-10-ish F0rd Expedition/Lincoln Navigator.
No idea what you'd have to do for mounts, but if you can supply power it'll work

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Could you possibly post a couple more pictures to show how and where you mounted the camera at the back?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Extending what Rust_never_sleeps said, my sister's 2012 Ford F150 has the backup screen in the rear view mirror. Turns on when in reverse, and is a regular mirror when not.

I was also looking at the Jeep Gladiator tailgate for the camera. It's a flat area that has an angled mounting surface for it. Thoughts?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I'm confused about Auto-Vox V5 Pro discussed above. Is it not reflective at all and is not a mirror, just a non-reflective blank screen when the camera is not on? Or just the way JEM Motorworks wired it makes it on all the time?

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

It is not a mirror at all. Just a monitor for cameras. Search for it on Youtube and you can see examples that are not powered on, it us just a blank dark screen when not on.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

I just ordered the Auto-Vox V5 Pro. Will be making a mount like JEM made to fit it in the same manner. Bought it directly from Auto-Vox, about $179 shipped.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

The dashcam/backup camera/mirror kit arrived today. Really nice looking equipment.

Re: Anyone have experience with a rearview mirror backup camera set up?
 

Sweet! let us know what you think when you get it setup. This might be the only piece of modern tech that I will eventually install in my 68 c30 which has a flat bed with a headache rack with expanded metal so its not easy to see through with a mirror anyway.