Rear Camera Integration With Aftermarket Head Unit

[rlong69]

I would like to add a mainstream aftermarket head unit like Kenwood or Pioneer to my JLUR. iDataLink does a decent job retaining controls, but does not appear to solve the digital camera buss thing. Is there anything out there that can do that? Not currently interested in the Heigh10 or any of the Android radios.

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[JEEP4U]

Alpine makes such a unit.............but it will cost............Check out the video at Quadratec.

Alpine X409-WRA-JL 9in Dash Restyle System for 18-21 Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT | Quadratec

 

[Terpsmandan]

Metra has a solution. The AXPIO-JL1.

https://axxessinterfaces.com/product/AXPIO-JL1

Works with Pioneer 4660NEX and 4600NEX shallow 3" chassis and the 5700NEX modular. Supposed to work with the big screen modular Pioneer units with a cutting and trimming. It comes with a replacement analog camera. Those who have used the Maestro unit say that this camera will work. Not sure about installation.

https://www.amazon.com/RAAYOO-Universal-Installation-Guildlines-non-mirror/dp/B074P45P7G

I debated back and forth because I have had good performance with the Pioneer units in my JK but I liked the idea of the bigger screen but I am going with the Pioneer.

 

[rlong69]

I should have been a little more specific. I am not interested in the $3k Alpine total solution. It is nice and looks great, but that is way too much money in a head unit.

The Metra is close, but I am not interested in changing the camera to low def. analog. Mostly I am just not interested in changing the camera. I also am not a big fan of the add on chime.

The closest I have seen is using the iDataLink, which gives you the choice of several shallow mount head units. It however does not deal with the camera at all. You lose it.

I am getting ready to install the Pac AmpPro adding amps and full speaker replacement. I will retain the 7" screen for now, until I can find a good solution to add a head unit. The amplifiers I am adding have built in DSP so I will get a pretty good sound out of it. I ran this same setup in my 2018 except I had the 8.4" radio.

I may just find an 8.4" factory unit and move on. Honesty feel like nothing great is coming any time soon. Especially with the new UConnect hardware coming out now.

 

[Terpsmandan]

The issue is that the OEM camera is digital and aftermarket HU are still analog and can't use the signal. The Alpine comes with an adapter to switch it to analog. Not sure if it's proprietary to the whole Alpine 209 restyle unit or available for other Alpine HU's. I will have an 8.4 Uconnect for sale in Feb when my JL order comes in. Standard on a Rubicon for 22. Also the chime volume can be adjusted by the Pioneer.

 

[jmccorm]

I seem to remember that the Heigh10 kit for the JL Wrangler included a converter box which downconverted the factory rear camera signal into a standard (but lower quality) RCA video signal. You don't have to get the Heigh10 itself, just figure out and get the conversion box they pair with it. I once documented what that was, but I've lost it. :/

 

[rlong69]

The issue is that the OEM camera is digital and aftermarket HU are still analog and can't use the signal. The Alpine comes with an adapter to switch it to analog. Not sure if it's proprietary to the whole Alpine 209 restyle unit or available for other Alpine HU's. I will have an 8.4 Uconnect for sale in Feb when my JL order comes in. Standard on a Rubicon for 22. Also the chime volume can be adjusted by the Pioneer.

Yeah, I agree that is the root issue. The problem is all of the work arounds like that turn it into a low def. mediocre image compared to the factory camera which is pretty good.

I am curious if the D/A video converter is available with anything else. Alpine is the head unit I would prefer anyway.

When you get your head unit pulled and ready to sell, ping me. I could make selling that super easy if my situation does not change.

 

[rlong69]

I seem to remember that the Heigh10 kit for the JL Wrangler included a converter box which downconverted the factory rear camera signal into a standard (but lower quality) RCA video signal. You don't have to get the Heigh10 itself, just figure out and get the conversion box they pair with it. I once documented what that was, but I've lost it. :/

Interesting, I thought that unit actually maintained the image quality of the OEM. (stayed Hi-Def)

 

[jmccorm]

Interesting, I thought that unit actually maintained the image quality of the OEM. (stayed Hi-Def)

I had it mostly right. There's a specific odd format that FCA products are using and I've forgotten the name right now. But what the box does it to covert it to *HDMI* not RCA.

The module is an RPA-HD1 and is part of the SRK-JW18EH intgration kit for Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT for HEIGH10 and ELEV8 head units. I can't find a page where just the RPA-HD1 is sold by itself, so you might need to just ask PAC Audio about it and if they'll sell it unbundled (you'd think they would, if not just for repairs).

The installation manual (particularly the wiring diagram) shows the factory's Fakra (camera) connector going in and HDMI going out. The only thing that bugs me is that it also connects to another module, the PAC-LINK. I can't be 100% sure if the RPA-HD1 will or will not work standalone.

EDIT: Is LVDS the video system the Wrangler uses?

 

[Terpsmandan]

When you get your head unit pulled and ready to sell, ping me. I could make selling that super easy if my situation does not change.

I will. Ordered it last week. Already has a vin.

 

[rlong69]

I had it mostly right. There's a specific odd format that FCA products are using and I've forgotten the name right now. But what the box does it to covert it to *HDMI* not RCA.

The module is an RPA-HD1 and is part of the SRK-JW18EH intgration kit for Wrangler JL/Gladiator JT for HEIGH10 and ELEV8 head units. I can't find a page where just the RPA-HD1 is sold by itself, so you might need to just ask PAC Audio about it and if they'll sell it unbundled (you'd think they would, if not just for repairs).

The installation manual (particularly the wiring diagram) shows the factory's Fakra (camera) connector going in and HDMI going out. The only thing that bugs me is that it also connects to another module, the PAC-LINK. I can't be 100% sure if the RPA-HD1 will or will not work standalone.

EDIT: Is LVDS the video system the Wrangler uses?

Yeah, that makes more sense as to how they are doing it. I suspect that even if I had that converter there would be another issue. You would need your radio to trigger the HDMI input instead of the analog camera input with camera on signal from the can bus. This part I doubt is supported by anyone at this time. That adapter 100% looks like the future of making this work. I may inquire about it to them.

 

[jc99]

@rlong69 Did you ever find a solution to this? I have a Stinger Heigh10 in my JT but the rear camera shuts off over 15 mph or so. I would like to find a way to split the video feed and have the factory camera work as normal but also have a second input on the Heigh10 always be able to view the rear camera feed to monitor when pulling a trailer.

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