Impreza WRX Club Inc. Forum

Fitting an aftermarket reverse camera to a Factory Sat Nav system as found in MY10 & MY11 WRX (possibly others including Forester)

*** It must be noted that even though delivered in Oz that this head unit is an NTSC model, you need an NTSC camera, PAL camera will not work.

Cost is about $150 with a custom cable & quality NTSC 16:9 camera. You need a custom cable as there is not a standard RCA video input on the back of this NAV unit. The connector that hosts the video input is not common or easy to find.

The Head unit in the MY11 is a Kenwood unit and from what I can see it has been around for about 1-2 years in various Subaru models.











THE SCREEN PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT NIGHT LOOKS PERFECT & COLOURFUL IN DAYLIGHT.

PARTS NEEDED

Custom made cable to plug into the back of the factory SATNAV unit. Has an special plug wired to an RCA Female connector for video. Order from Canada $26.95 Delivered (about 1 week) email jtco@sympatico.ca

NTSC & super small reverse camera. Widescreen & Colour. I got mine from a seller in Sydney called Max phone 0410-184410 (I have bought 2 from him now over the past 2 years, very happy) The model I purchased was a Sharp CCD NTSC super small (metal housing) reverse camera.

Cable ties
2 x Vampire Cable Clamps/Crimps (I would recommend these over soldering to connect the camera power wires to the reverse light wires - Jaycar sell these)
Drill and a range of drill bits (to drill thru plastic), depending the camera and cables 4-6 mm or if the camera has a connector on it 7-10 mm
Misc tools such as a few screwdrivers and a small socket set


FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Make sure you get a small body camera to fit discretely above the rear license plate and again make sure it is widescreen. You don't need a model with night vision LED's as the reverse light is adequate. One thing that is not adequate is the standard 5M cable that comes with most cameras, you will need ideally an extra 2M using this route.

The factory NAV will auto switch to the camera once you select reverse and the NAV will display a distance overlay with lines on that you can measure the distance with.

You will need an extension cable for power & video as the standard 5M cable is too short. Max sells extensions so make sure you ask him for one.

The end result is 100% factory look and operation. Reverse image pops up when you select reverse. Wire the camera power to the reverse light power. Fit the camera just above the license plate.

Allocate about 2 hours to fit it. Getting the head unit out is easy and quick.

FITTING PROCEDURE

- Remove the grey sound deadening trim panel from inside the boot.
- Drill a hole for the cable to pass thru in the plastic area just above the license plate.
- Route the cable and screw or double sided tape the camera
- Route the cable to the arm of the boot
- Cable tie the cable down the boot arm
- Refit everything back onto the boot (or do later after you have tested)
- Connect the camera positive wire to the (+) positive wire that goes to the reverse light (best to identify with a multimeter)
- Connect the ground the camera to the body of the car or another known ground or (-) negative
- Route the video cable to the end of the boot arm (use cable ties to secure)
- Make sure you leave enough slack where the cable exits the boot, down the boot arm and into the cavity between the boot and the back seat (no need to remove the back seat).
- As for routing the cable from the boot. It is pretty obvious just time consuming and make sure you leave enough slack, follow the cable route already running from the lights on the boot, down the boot arm and then the cable runs in behind the insulation, past the back seat and under the removable plastic covers over the rear and front sills. Then of course up into the back of the dash.
- Route the cable to the front of the car
- Getting the head unit out is easy. Just pull off the plastic surround, use force it won't break. Then 4 bolts and it slides out. Some of the cables are a bit short though so be gentle.
- Route the cable up to the dash and round the back of the NAV unit.
- Fit the custom reverse camera cable
- Plug in the reverse camera cable to the reverse camera adaptor
- Turn on the ignition and test
- Select Reverse Gear with the ignition ON and the Reverse camera image should appear onscreen in 16:9
- The Subaru NAV system by default puts out those coloured distance bars and the warning message (make sure you buy a camera that does not put out a grid image also!)
- Endure your video is correctly oriented (some cameras have a jumper to reverse or flip the image or you have to ground a cable, check camera manual)make sure you are happy that all connections are secured with eith shrinkwrap and/or cable ties

-Refit everything

Enjoy!

Moved to a more appropriate area ...

Good work

How do you get the sat nav out and do you have pics of the camera installed.

Where did you put the cable through into the boot?

Getting the head unit out is easy. Just pull off the plastic surround, use force it won't break. Then 4 bolts and it slides out. Some of the cables are a bit short though so be gentle.

As for routing the cable from the boot. It is pretty obvious just time consuming and make sure you leave enough slack, follow the cable route already running from the lights on the boot, down the boot arm and then the cable runs in behind the insulation, past the back seat and under the removable plastic covers over the rear and front sills. Then of course up into the back of the dash.

Make sure you get a small body camera to fit discretly above the rear license plate and again make sure it is widescreen. You don't need a model with night vision LED's as the reverse light is adequate. One thing that is not adequate is the standard 5M cable that comes with most cameras, you will need ideally and extra 2M using this route.

The factory NAV will auto switch to the camera once you select reverse and the NAV will display a distance overlay with lines on that you can measure the distance with.

As I stated in my original post there are 2 suppliers there who can provide the same parts I ordered, I highly recommend these.

What I was asking is there a spot where you can thread said cable through the bootlid to where the camera is?

There will be after you drill one. Not sure much more I can tell you, just do it.

Thanks....that answers the question

I mounted my camera under the bottom of the bumper, right down low. Works well. I'd go as far as to say it might be in a better position than the boot mounted camera that cost $1,000'ish. It has a 170degree viewing angle which is ample. Still no substitute for reversing sensors though, but good to make sure you don't accidentally run over something if you are reversing into your garage like I do.

Happy to show you if you are remotely in my vicinity. (SE Melb)

i reckon if you painted the little gold screws black it'd look really slick!

Unless you are lying on ya back you won't see said screws

ahh ok i assumed this was a photo from behind

Behind yes, but from down low!

You definately can not see the screws from behind, only looking up.

I think I will remove the birdshit on my boot just to the right of the camera, I though it would look sick but now I have changed my mind.

I don't quite understand this part. Will the cable run outside the car to the front or underneath the carpet?

Ummmmm, the cable stays enclosed wholly within the vehicle.

Pull off the plastic trims on the floor of the car where the carpet meets the door sill and you will discover a vast and willing cavity in which to lay your cable.

I say "no" to running cables outside the vehicle and I would encourage you to do likewise....

Cool thanks.

My adapter just arrived from America today and I am about to order the Camera from Max from ebay. Just awaiting for his reply as to how much it cost for the extension. Alterntively I don't think it would cost much to get a 10m rca cable from some one locally.

Make sure you get the correct camera!

I got this one
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 968wt_1128

Got the parts on order - can anyone suggest a good Auto Electrician in Melbourne who can do the install for me?