How to run wire from interior cab to license plate for rear facing dash camera

[Rundeep_32]

Hi All,

I bought a vantop 612 dash camera that slips over the front rearview mirror. It's pretty neat. When in use, the rear camera that the kit comes with is used as a rearview (recording) mirror as well as a backup camera.

After doing some research my intentions were to run the rear camera cabling to the rear behind the trim and then mount it on the roll bar (I have a soft top with nothing "firm" to mount the camera on when the top is both up or down... unless I'm wrong if so, let me know!). However, the roll bar mounting for the rear facing camera limits the actual view from behind.

I then test fitted the camera to the license plate area and it provided an excellent, but a little low, view. So I ordered this mounting device from Amazon that attaches to the license plate.

The question is how do I get the cable for the reverse camera back to the license plate area? Is there a way to exit the cab from say behind the rear seats through a grommet or would it be best just to run it back from the dash area and then underneath the jeep? And if I do that what's the best way to get outside with the wire? I was thinking of going through one of those drain holes that are built into the floor mats but I also had read there's a small opportunity to run a wire on the passenger side however I don't know where that is.

What are your guy's thoughts on this? Thanks so much as always, Ed

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[cuellar13]

There are quite a few options on this, such as:

• There should be room in the front passenger kick panel area, where the antenna exits, though you will need to fish the wire through the fender, then under the vehicle along the frame
• You could fish it through the firewall, through a boot, and there are tools to puncture the boot and assist with that, then under the vehicle, along the frame
• Run the wire to the back of the cab, drill a hole, use a grommet, and fish it through there, then along the frame. Just make sure you know what you're drilling through.

The fastest way would probably be running out of the firewall then down and along the frame. If it were me, I would make sure the wire stays protected with loom, and be sure to secure it inside the frame rail. I've seen many people run wires on vehicles (front to back) that get severed by things on the road. I would NOT use the drain holes in the floor mat area- that's asking for a wire to get severed by the edge of the floorpan if someone steps just right. Hope that helps.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Probably easiest to go through the firewall, if you have the auto trans. There's a plastic plug where the clutch usually goes through.

 

[Rundeep_32]

Thank you very much for the response Mr. Bill. Of course, I have a manual transmission so that grommet does not exist lol.

I have the auxiliary option and I was thinking maybe there could be some space to get the cable out from there cause obviously there's a hole to provide the inside wiring. I just don't know enough about this so I was reaching out to this great form and I really appreciate you writing back to me!

 

[mx5red]

I ran power to my amplifier by coming up through the drain under the passenger seat (not the passenger footwell). This is by lifting up the carpet under the seat, forgot if I “had” to unbolt the seat to do this but I was doing that anyway to do all the mounting and wiring.
I cut a hole in the OEM rubber plug and fished the wire through that so it is my defacto grommet. What everyone said about using loom, zip ties, grommets etc is correct. Don’t want a wire to get cut or shorted out.

 

[Rundeep_32]

Awesome MX5 that is some interesting information that I will check out for sure!

Best, Ed

 

[culdbbi]

I ran my wire from inside the cab to the engine bay via the weatherstripping on the windshield.

 

[Free2roam]

Hi All,

I bought a vantop 612 dash camera that slips over the front rearview mirror. It's pretty neat. When in use, the rear camera that the kit comes with is used as a rearview (recording) mirror as well as a backup camera.

After doing some research my intentions were to run the rear camera cabling to the rear behind the trim and then mount it on the roll bar (I have a soft top with nothing "firm" to mount the camera on when the top is both up or down... unless I'm wrong if so, let me know!). However, the roll bar mounting for the rear facing camera limits the actual view from behind.

I then test fitted the camera to the license plate area and it provided an excellent, but a little low, view. So I ordered this mounting device from Amazon that attaches to the license plate.

The question is how do I get the cable for the reverse camera back to the license plate area? Is there a way to exit the cab from say behind the rear seats through a grommet or would it be best just to run it back from the dash area and then underneath the jeep? And if I do that what's the best way to get outside with the wire? I was thinking of going through one of those drain holes that are built into the floor mats but I also had read there's a small opportunity to run a wire on the passenger side however I don't know where that is.

What are your guy's thoughts on this? Thanks so much as always, Ed

You don't happen to have any video of that camera system in operation? I'm looking for one. Thanks

 

[Rundeep_32]

There are quite a few options on this, such as:

• There should be room in the front passenger kick panel area, where the antenna exits, though you will need to fish the wire through the fender, then under the vehicle along the frame
• You could fish it through the firewall, through a boot, and there are tools to puncture the boot and assist with that, then under the vehicle, along the frame
• Run the wire to the back of the cab, drill a hole, use a grommet, and fish it through there, then along the frame. Just make sure you know what you're drilling through.

The fastest way would probably be running out of the firewall then down and along the frame. If it were me, I would make sure the wire stays protected with loom, and be sure to secure it inside the frame rail. I've seen many people run wires on vehicles (front to back) that get severed by things on the road. I would NOT use the drain holes in the floor mat area- that's asking for a wire to get severed by the edge of the floorpan if someone steps just right. Hope that helps.

Yes, terrific advice! ty for your help, Ed

 

[Rundeep_32]

You don't happen to have any video of that camera system in operation? I'm looking for one. Thanks

Not yet but I will post a video to this thread after I get the rear camera mounted maybe even do a little driving. Unfortunately, it's supposed to be -5 here tomorrow so I think lying on the ground running wires is I know go lol

 

[Rundeep_32]

I ran power to my amplifier by coming up through the drain under the passenger seat (not the passenger footwell). This is by lifting up the carpet under the seat, forgot if I “had” to unbolt the seat to do this but I was doing that anyway to do all the mounting and wiring.
I cut a hole in the OEM rubber plug and fished the wire through that so it is my defacto grommet. What everyone said about using loom, zip ties, grommets etc is correct. Don’t want a wire to get cut or shorted out.

Very cool installation and I will definitely look at that I agree with what others said about protecting the wire with conduit and securing it with zip ties!

 

[Rundeep_32]

There are quite a few options on this, such as:

• There should be room in the front passenger kick panel area, where the antenna exits, though you will need to fish the wire through the fender, then under the vehicle along the frame
• You could fish it through the firewall, through a boot, and there are tools to puncture the boot and assist with that, then under the vehicle, along the frame
• Run the wire to the back of the cab, drill a hole, use a grommet, and fish it through there, then along the frame. Just make sure you know what you're drilling through.

The fastest way would probably be running out of the firewall then down and along the frame. If it were me, I would make sure the wire stays protected with loom, and be sure to secure it inside the frame rail. I've seen many people run wires on vehicles (front to back) that get severed by things on the road. I would NOT use the drain holes in the floor mat area- that's asking for a wire to get severed by the edge of the floorpan if someone steps just right. Hope that helps.

Thank you great advice! I think I'm going to try to see if I can borrow some space from the Aux wires coming in through the firewall and then would definitely run down the frame with conduit and zip ties etc. etc. I will let you know what happens!

 

[Free2roam]

So I finally bought a backup camera/rearview mirror set-up. Trying to figure out the wiring from camper to cab. Has anyone used this spot? It looks like that little plastic cover if almost directly on the other side of the interior cover. I've got a camper so I was thinking about the bed drain down up between the cab and then into cab. it is a little higher up than the floor drain plug. Anyone?

 

[Beemer533]

So I finally bought a backup camera/rearview mirror set-up. Trying to figure out the wiring from camper to cab. Has anyone used this spot? It looks like that little plastic cover if almost directly on the other side of the interior cover. I've got a camper so I was thinking about the bed drain down up between the cab and then into cab. it is a little higher up than the floor drain plug. Anyone?

I would not recommend using that vent. That is the pressure release for the cabin and it has flaps that open up when you slam the doors.

Any cabling you run through there will likely allow moisture to enter the cab. I suppose you could just remove that one flap and seal the whole thing up, but I don't know how good an idea that is...

The other issue is getting that back plastic wall off. I took mine out to build my seat deletes and I destroyed it. those clips suck..

 

[Free2roam]

Update. I ended up purchasing a 33 foot extension cable. Ran it down the inside of my camper, through the hole just behind the bed tie down point. Put a grommet in there. Followed the wiring on the frame up to mid cab. Another grommet to inside the frame and then out of frame. Up directly behind the battery. Ran it behind the cowl. Pulled the window forward and shoved it behind the trim. Worked out pretty good (so far) Did the same thing with the power to the camera but went from fuse box up the windshield trip.

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