Front camera install on Grand Cherokee?

[KrelleKryl]

Hi all,

I have been toying around with the idea of installing a front-facing camera to help with navigation when driving off-road. I find myself on a lot of steep hills looking at the beautiful hood of my 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, but sometimes it'd be great to have a sense of what might be over that hill... i.e., preferably not a sheer drop... And if it is, knowing so before cresting the hill :wink2:.

Have any of you tried installing a front facing camera? How easy/difficult? I can see there are a lot of cheapo wireless options on Amazon, but I have no idea how well these work or how they plug in. I have also come across the various lockpick options, which look very interesting, but again, I have no sense of how easy/difficult these are to install (or whether I could get a local shop here in San Diego to install it).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[TrailHawkGuy]

Hi all,

I have been toying around with the idea of installing a front-facing camera to help with navigation when driving off-road. I find myself on a lot of steep hills looking at the beautiful hood of my 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, but sometimes it'd be great to have a sense of what might be over that hill... i.e., preferably not a sheer drop... And if it is, knowing so before cresting the hill :wink2:.

Have any of you tried installing a front facing camera? How easy/difficult? I can see there are a lot of cheapo wireless options on Amazon, but I have no idea how well these work or how they plug in. I have also come across the various lockpick options, which look very interesting, but again, I have no sense of how easy/difficult these are to install (or whether I could get a local shop here in San Diego to install it).

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Same idea - questions here would be awesome if one could feed it into the UCONNECT screen.

BTW love my TrailHawk - always interested in seeing what others do to them

 

[KrelleKryl]

It's possible to feed it directly to the UConnect with e.g., one of these guys:

UCONNECT AIR V2

Ford, sync, sync-lp1, lockpick, blocked, video-in-motion, nav in motion, f150,raptor,fusion,taurus, flex,mustang, edge, lincoln, explorer,navigator, MKS, MKZ, MKT, Cherokee, GM, ipod, iphone, interface, unlock, navigation, aux, video, plug-in, xm, custom, accessory, nav, screen...

www.coastaletech.com

But it looks bloody complicated to me - and not quite sure if it'll continue to work if te UConnect software gets updated - or if it interferes with normal operation. If there'd be a good installer in the area, then maybe that'd be the way to go, but otherwise I think I'll try one of the cheapo wireless ones going to a separate screen.

 

[Jeep backroads]

I would love one that worked on my jk screen

 

[TrailHawkGuy]

It's possible to feed it directly to the UConnect with e.g., one of these guys:

UCONNECT AIR V2

Ford, sync, sync-lp1, lockpick, blocked, video-in-motion, nav in motion, f150,raptor,fusion,taurus, flex,mustang, edge, lincoln, explorer,navigator, MKS, MKZ, MKT, Cherokee, GM, ipod, iphone, interface, unlock, navigation, aux, video, plug-in, xm, custom, accessory, nav, screen...

www.coastaletech.com

But it looks bloody complicated to me - and not quite sure if it'll continue to work if te UConnect software gets updated - or if it interferes with normal operation. If there'd be a good installer in the area, then maybe that'd be the way to go, but otherwise I think I'll try one of the cheapo wireless ones going to a separate screen.

Thanks for sharing- this indeed looks cool. I agree with your concerns about UCONNECT updates.

In my view it boils down to multiple screens or taking a gamble. Maybe an extra IPad that also gives Extra Navigation (GAIA etc) is the way to go afterall. Curious to see what other options come up

 

[KrelleKryl]

I'm thinking maybe something like this - a wireless license plate camera:

Amazon.com: Digital Wireless Backup Camera &5'' Monitor HD 720P Kit for Cars, RVs,Trucks,Pickups, Campers IP69 Waterproof Rear/Front View Switchable Driving Monitoring/Reversing Use Guide Lines On/Off: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: Digital Wireless Backup Camera &5'' Monitor HD 720P Kit for Cars, RVs,Trucks,Pickups, Campers IP69 Waterproof Rear/Front View Switchable Driving Monitoring/Reversing Use Guide Lines On/Off: Car Electronics

amzn.to

The problem here is that the camera needs a live wire, and I'm honestly not sure how to do that, but surely there must be an easy way? Hook it into the front lights?

 

[TrailHawkGuy]

I'm thinking maybe something like this - a wireless license plate camera:


The problem here is that the camera needs a live wire, and I'm honestly not sure how to do that, but surely there must be an easy way? Hook it into the front lights?

Have you considered a simple on off switch ie activate when needed ? The 12v you can get from many places. Problem with front lights is that they are permanent on when dark - off the fog lights could be a little more flexible.

 

[KrelleKryl]

Yeah, I'd probably turn the system on and off via the monitor that plugs into the 12V in the car.

For the camera, where would I be able to draw 12V to the camera? I'll probably also install a rocker switch in the engine compartment so I can switch off the system completely.

 

[TrailHawkGuy]

Yeah, I'd probably turn the system on and off via the monitor that plugs into the 12V in the car.

For the camera, where would I be able to draw 12V to the camera? I'll probably also install a rocker switch in the engine compartment so I can switch off the system completely.

Off the fusebox ? Front passengerside. Add an extra fuse and you are good to go ;)

 

[TrailHawkGuy]

Off the fusebox ? Front passengerside. Add an extra fuse and you are good to go ;)

Maybe use one of these

Pixnor 12V ATO ATC Add A Circuit Fuse Tap Piggy Back Standard Blade Fuse Holder with 20A Blade Fuse - Size M
But best is to have somebody that has the needed certification to avoid any issues and make sure this works

 

[SilverSurferJKU]

I’ve been using the lockpick for 3-4 year now and it’s simply to best avenue for cameras. The front camera automatically turns on at 5 mph and you can set up to 4 cameras from it