Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2020
Front bumper mounted camera install
Good afternoon All,
I am looking to mount a front facing camera in the front bumper. I am thinking above the number plate just above the Intercooler air intake gap in the bumper. For a few reasons one to aid in off roading but mainly for SWMBO to aid in parking as I dont have front sensors. Also have a spare camera and input in my screen so why not hey!!
The camera I have is completely adjustable 360 and mounts flush so it will be a good final finish hopefully.
Questions: has anyone done this? Also when you get cameras as standard where are they mounted (D4s I guess?)
Also what is behind that top section of bumper? Can I do it with the bumper in situation or remove it? Sorry not at home to look at the D3 and just want some advice before I do it in a few weeks 07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
24th Jul 2015 5:03 pm
marscolony
Member Since: 18 Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 18
Did you ever do this install @sailorboi ?
I'm looking at adding rear camera first, but also would like a front one and curious if it's easier to do it all in one go, or if there's any thing I need to allow/cater for when doing the rear one.
I haven't even got my D3 yet I pick it up this weekend, but already planning...
10th May 2017 11:41 am
Ja92mie
Member Since: 16 Sep 2014
Location: Newquay
Posts: 1259
You would need a GVIF unit first
10th May 2017 11:43 am
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2020
I have got all the stuff but never got around to actually getting this sorted
The front end is coming off when I get a chance so I will run the cabling and fit the camera then. I have an after market screen and system so for me it is just a simple case of running the cable and connecting it up. But as said above I believe if using the standard D3 screen you will need said unit.
07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
11th May 2017 1:08 am
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
Which camera have you got sailorboi?
11th May 2017 7:56 am
fino
Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Middlesex/ Surrey
Posts: 163
I have a front camera mounted on in the grille, its fitted on the triangular trim piece and also discreet. I would like to upgrade to a D4 grille but can't see where it would fit without making up a bracket for the front camera.
I have front facing side cameras mounted on the underside of both wing mirrors as well. Very useful for squeezing through tight spots.
All done through the gvif unit.
11th May 2017 7:13 pm
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2020
Have you got any pics??? 07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
12th May 2017 12:51 am
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2020
RBP wrote:
Which camera have you got sailorboi?
At the moment I have just got a cheap reversing camera that the lines can be removed on. Not sure yet if I want the lines or not
It is one that can be angled in any direction so I can hopefully get a good over view of the front bumper as I want to use it for parking 07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
12th May 2017 12:57 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8074
I did it with a GVIF module, no need to remove bumper, the camera should come with a hole saw to cut correct size hole and camera is simply pushed in, it will fit in the center front with camera pointing max down. Very useful mod I use it almost every day , completely eliminates the front blind spot and field of view is exactly the width of the car.
A reversing camera is no good for the front as they give a mirror image not a true image and lines are not necessary.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
12th May 2017 7:46 am
Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
Do you have a link to the one you used M3DPO D4 MY15 SE TECH
D3 gone but never forgotten.
12th May 2017 10:11 am
fino
Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Middlesex/ Surrey
Posts: 163
Front camera location & picture
Use this for getting up close as possible, just manage to see the top part of the bumper in the pic.
Near side camera & picture
Off side camera & picture
I first fitted the near side camera and left guide lines there (I have to locate the wires to cut, to get rid of the lines. Very happy with this camera as it does the job of being tilted to get the forward facing position.
The off side camera is more a bodge job as the camera I got from ebay could not physically tilt in position (probably a whole batch of manufacturing defect). I had to take it apart mainly to angle it and shove a load of blu-tac in it to retain the position I wanted. Not perfect but it does the job.
If manoeuvring is still tight, I've angled the cameras so I can still fold the wing mirrors in and still look 'forward' using the cameras.
Quite easy install, hardest part feeding the wiring through the wing mirror itself and only iffy thing was making a small cut through the door wiring rubber housing for the camera wires to get through the inside of the car.
Last edited by fino on 12th May 2017 6:34 pm. Edited 1 time in total
12th May 2017 3:57 pm
Huge Halford
Member Since: 30 May 2013
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 274
Fino ..... that looks smart
Was it easy to get inside the wing mirror and what camera type did you use ??Mods:-
Beanie Grill,Side Steps,Colour-coded wheel arches, Door handles and Bumpers,Rear Bumper Exhaust Trim,Remote Start FBH,2014 D4 rear lights,Reversing camera GVIF enabled,D4 Bluetooth Module, Puddle lighted wing mirrors
To do list:-
Waxoyl the Underside.
12th May 2017 6:19 pm
fino
Member Since: 28 Feb 2014
Location: Middlesex/ Surrey
Posts: 163
Thanks.
I know you didn't ask how to........ but it wasn't difficult.
For the wing mirror.
1)Take out the actual mirror & motor behind to give you working space, drill the hole to the underside with supplied hoe saw. Trial fit camera.
2) Drill a hole in side of the wing mirror casing enough to feed the wiring through. You can either go through the triangular casing/ cup or pull this triangular casing out first.
3) Fold the wing mirror casing the opposite way (towards the front) to enable you to pull out the big triangular cup as you'll have to make a slit for the wiring. I did try feeding the wiring up and over the aluminium bracket support but too much hassle.
4) Mark the triangular casing as you need to make a long enough slit to allow the mirror to fold inwards (assuming you have power fold)and not trap the wiring.
5) Get a strong guide wire as you'll have to pull through the camera wiring through the rest of the wing mirror wiring. (fit camera and feed wire in from there through side of wing mirror, through triangular cup and then pull through in-between the existing wiring).
6) Make a hole in one rubber grommets in the door structure (following prior removal of the door card) and feed wire into the door cavity. Do a bit of fishing through the door wiring connector (pull off the rubber ribbed sleeve). Make a small cut in the sleeve to allow the wiring to come out.
7) the wiring is now outside the car, it runs close up where the front edge of the door meets the wing (you'll see it if you open the door) Give it enough tension/ slack so it doesn't get trapped when opening and closing the door.
8.) Near side camera, my wiring runs right to left across top of the engine cover (held with cable ties to the bulkhead). Eventually feeds through the usual big grommet by the steering column. Feed through to the gvif box location.
9) Off side, the same principle but shorter run to the big grommet by the steering column
All my outside wiring is in flexible conduit to protect from rain and engine heat
The side camera is something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waterproof-Mini-...rkt%3D1%26 can be bit of gamble as one camera I received did not look anything like the picture. I would look for ones that describe its a rear facing camera, but if you cut the white or green wire it can be used a front/ side camera.
Front camera I have is something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Rear-View-Re...SwNnRYlZTP. I can only see the front top edge where I have fitted it, I may try different camera or location to give me wider view. I didn't want to drill into the bumper, the grill was fine for me.
The phono cables will be long enough/ too long but the camera power cable + & - will need to be extended to the gvif box.
I use the cameras for slow tight manoeuvres. Got to keep those eyes on the road for normal driving.....
cheers
12th May 2017 7:46 pm
Huge Halford
Member Since: 30 May 2013
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 274
Thanks for the information Mods:-
Beanie Grill,Side Steps,Colour-coded wheel arches, Door handles and Bumpers,Rear Bumper Exhaust Trim,Remote Start FBH,2014 D4 rear lights,Reversing camera GVIF enabled,D4 Bluetooth Module, Puddle lighted wing mirrors
To do list:-
Waxoyl the Underside.
12th May 2017 8:51 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8074
Andy Foster wrote:
Do you have a link to the one you used M3DPO
This is the type but not the exact one as mine has been fitted about 3 years and it came with an hole saw.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I pick it up this weekend, but already planning...
