Off-Road Camera (front facing) writeup

[DCBlake]

Thanks to everyone posting here, it helped tremendously with my own install. I thought I'd add a few comments for others looking to do the same. I bought the $25 RCA camera connector from Zautomotive that connects to the jeep's display. It's way overpriced, but it's convenient. God only knows how one would go about figuring out what are the right pin inserts to buy in order to make your own. I also bought the Natika camera described a few pages ago, but I can't say I was thrilled with it. The picture quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially when you compare it to the built-in back-up camera. The install went mostly as expected with one exception: the wire clamps provided with the Natika kit didn't work. The pwr/gnd wires on the Natika side were so small that they failed to cut through the insulation and make contact with the wires. Took me a while to debug that problem. Ended up stripping the wire insulation off, adding some solder to beef up the wire dimension and reinstalling. I've connected them to the 12V cigar plug on the center console. That is live only when the ignition is on, so no drain while the vehicle is garaged.

Please post some pics so others can see how yours looks and is installed:

Here's how mine was setup with some footage for the one I installed on my jeep... I also attached some instructions for reference...

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[Mikeg4572]

Here is mine mounted on a Smittybilt XRC bumper, its pointed down so I can see where I am going when climbing up steep inclines. Works awesome!

 

[Kansascoast]

Here is mine mounted on a Smittybilt XRC bumper, its pointed down so I can see where I am going when climbing up steep inclines. Works awesome!

Mike, what kind of camera did you install? Are you able to see the full width of the tires?

 

[Mikeg4572]

Mike, what kind of camera did you install? Are you able to see the full width of the tires?

Chuanganzhuo Car Front View Camera, Universal High Definition CMOS Non-Mirror Image Waterproof Aluminum Material Front View Camera,Without Distance Scale Line,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ARS6UWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_mepWCbWP34HM3

Yes you can see full width.

 

[SPooN887]

Has anyone added more than one camera? If so, how did you setup the ability to switch from one camera to the other?

Thanks.

 

[punkin_JL]

I have the UConnect 7. Can I upgrade to the 8.4? The dual camer feature is only available on the larger screen.

 

[kkuntz01]

I have the UConnect 7. Can I upgrade to the 8.4? The dual camer feature is only available on the larger screen.

There should be no reason why you can't upgrade. The only question would be how much is it worth to you.

I was looking at later model 8.4's for the hell of it as a swap on my wife's '14 Ram so we could get Carplay functionality and it was about $1000 or so for one.

 

[TroyBoy]

I moved my off-road camera to just behind my oil pan. I was hoping the camera had a little wider angle but it will do. I have an Artec aluminum skid plate which made for a perfect mounting point.

 

[DanW]

I moved my off-road camera to just behind my oil pan. I was hoping the camera had a little wider angle but it will do. I have an Artec aluminum skid plate which made for a perfect mounting point.

That is exactly what I want to do! I think you've easily got enough of a view to aid with tire placement and to ease your differential around obstacles! Nice work! You are using the Tazer as the interface, right?

 

[TroyBoy]

That is exactly what I want to do! I think you've easily got enough of a view to aid with tire placement and to ease your differential around obstacles! Nice work! You are using the Tazer as the interface, right?

Thanks. Yes I use the tazer to enable the camera. I’m looking forward to testing this camera position out on the trails.

 

[DanW]

Thanks. Yes I use the tazer to enable the camera. I’m looking forward to testing this camera position out on the trails.

Where did you run the wire to the head unit?

 

[TroyBoy]

Where did you run the wire to the head unit?

I ran the wire up along the skid plate mounting points and drilled a couple small holes into the skid plate to zap strap the wire. The wire then follows the engine mount on the drivers side and then straight up. I have an automatic so there is an easy access through the firewall there. As for plugging into the head unit, zautomotive has instructions online for that.

 

[Bradenframe]

Just wanted to say thanks to the OP and posts.
Installed my camera today. The angle is a little higher than I’d prefer...but the screw on the camera matched the bolt on the bottom of my Smittybilt XRC front bumper so it was an even more secure, no drill, install.

Wiring with the zautomotive adapter was a snap and really everything went very seamless.

Just wanted to say thanks.

 

[DCBlake]

I have the UConnect 7. Can I upgrade to the 8.4? The dual camer feature is only available on the larger screen.

Here's a few companies that has those units but again it is quite a cost... Some companies like Alpine will have a unit out sometime in the near future as well..


https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-navigation-radio-uconnect-uaq-4c-nav-upgrade

https://www.factoryradioparts.com/p...t-4c-nav-with-8-4-inch-touch-screen-uaq-radio

Details on the Alpine:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/new-alpine-jl-restyle-i209-wra-video-from-ces.21683/

You can search and find some sites stating they are selling them but those are going for 2.3k and up...

Here's some helpful hints from another thread in this forum:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/upgrade-uconnect-7-to-8-4.17251/

 

[JAFO]

Here's a few companies that has those units but again it is quite a cost... Some companies like Alpine will have a unit out sometime in the near future as well..


https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-navigation-radio-uconnect-uaq-4c-nav-upgrade

https://www.factoryradioparts.com/p...t-4c-nav-with-8-4-inch-touch-screen-uaq-radio

Details on the Alpine:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/new-alpine-jl-restyle-i209-wra-video-from-ces.21683/

You can search and find some sites stating they are selling them but those are going for 2.3k and up...

Here's some helpful hints from another thread in this forum:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/upgrade-uconnect-7-to-8-4.17251/

And then there's this...
2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler JL 8.4″ Android tablet radio replacement (mfg states it supports 3 cameras - front/right/rear)
http://www.linkswellinc.com/products/t-style-radio/ta-jpl08-4rr-1/

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