rkjjeep

I recently partially installed a backup camera kit made by Emerald Integrations. I installed the camera on the plastic trim above the license plate and have started to route the wires to the front. First you remove all the trim on the liftgate and then the plastic piece over the license plate. Lots of clips and 10mm hex head bolts. I mounted the camera just inboard of the left license plate light and it fit perfectly. I will try to post pictures at another time. The directions tell you to drill a 19mm hole - DO NOT DO THAT. Only drill the hole big enough for the mounting post on the camera - about 8mm.

This is supposed to integrate perfectly with the factory touch screen so that when vehicle is put in reverse the camera image shows on the screen. Update later.

DAlex

Ummm, What year did they start putting factory touch screens into an xD?
Mine sure doesn't have one.

rkjjeep

Our 2014 has the touch screen. I think I have seen it in some 2013 as well.

rkjjeep

Finished the installation. Biggest issue was the instructions aren't very xD specific. The instructions tell you to unplug the factory 16 pin plug from the back of the radio and install the supplied harness between the factory harness and radio. On my 2014 xD (without Bespoke)
there was nothing plugged into that spot on the radio. You can cut off the unused connector. Getting the reverse signal wire patched into the connector by the left kick panel and then pinned into the radio 28 pin connector takes some time. I have way too many hours into this.

Nice bright image but the horizon ends at about twenty feet. The image is also a little off center because the camera is mounted off center. I wanted to see if anything was behind me and it works great for that.
I may eventually try one of the license plate frame cameras to center the image and improve the distance.

DAlex

So, in the end, was it really worth the time? I remember when I wired my rear fog lamps into the reflector nacelles in the rear bumper that I found it was just easier to run the wires separately to the center console.
Also, considering how small an xD is, I really see little advantage to a backup camera.

rkjjeep

I think it was worth the time. For a little over a hundred bucks I have a backup camera with a very clear image on the factory radio.