DIY: Front parking camera - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Lanky · 05-09-2013, 10:48 PM

First off: This is my first post, woo hoo! I've had my 2012 2SS/RS for a year now and couldn't be happier with it! While driving around the first couple of weeks I was afraid of smashing the ground effects against a curb, so I decided it would be a fun project to install a forward facing parking camera.... annnd a year later I finally got around to completing that project haha!

It would have been more useful earlier since I'm much more used to the dimensions of the car now, but it still serves as peace of mind when trying to park close to a curb. Also, I did this for under $100, compared to the curb alert which is over $150.

Here are some pics of what I came up with. I bought a visor from the junkyard, replaced the mirror with a cheap LCD, wired it to a camera I attached to the lower grille, and added a switch which I routed beneath the steering column. I still need to buy some material to wrap up the visor, and secure the switch better. I'll add more details and pics this weekend.

Aubrey64 · 05-09-2013, 11:06 PM

This is really cool! Do you have a step by step DIY?

Lanky · 05-10-2013, 08:35 AM

Thanks! I'll work on a step by step this weekend.

Aubrey64 · 05-10-2013, 12:18 PM

Awesome! Thanks

Tyler360 · 05-10-2013, 12:27 PM

Awesome! Subscribed

The Stig · 05-10-2013, 12:29 PM

Out of curiosity - do you have the OEM backup camera? I wonder if you could hook this thing up so it displays on that. Hmmm...

Lanky · 05-10-2013, 01:03 PM

Yup, I have the backup display in the mirror. I thought about trying that, but I thought up too many unknowns/complications. For example, I'm not sure if the screen in the mirror turns on when you put it in reverse, or whenever it receives a video signal (and the backup camera turns on when you select reverse). I wouldn't want to put it in reverse to turn the screen on in order to drive forward into a parking space. Plus I'd have to add some sort of toggle switch to the video feed to select between front and back anyway. It seemed easier (at least for me) to do it as a separate system.

Lanky · 10-06-2013, 10:56 AM

Finally got around to finishing up this guide! Please ask any questions you may have.

Inuyashas_Brother · 11-22-2013, 01:37 PM

Very creative and well-done. Thanks for the step by step guide!

Aubrey64 · 12-07-2013, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the DIY!!

05-09-2013, 10:48 PM	#1
Lanky Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 7	DIY: Front parking camera First off: This is my first post, woo hoo! I've had my 2012 2SS/RS for a year now and couldn't be happier with it! While driving around the first couple of weeks I was afraid of smashing the ground effects against a curb, so I decided it would be a fun project to install a forward facing parking camera.... annnd a year later I finally got around to completing that project haha! It would have been more useful earlier since I'm much more used to the dimensions of the car now, but it still serves as peace of mind when trying to park close to a curb. Also, I did this for under $100, compared to the curb alert which is over $150. Here are some pics of what I came up with. I bought a visor from the junkyard, replaced the mirror with a cheap LCD, wired it to a camera I attached to the lower grille, and added a switch which I routed beneath the steering column. I still need to buy some material to wrap up the visor, and secure the switch better. I'll add more details and pics this weekend. Attached Images

05-09-2013, 11:06 PM	#2
Aubrey64 Drives: 2010 Camaro LLT/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,685	This is really cool! Do you have a step by step DIY? __________________

05-10-2013, 12:18 PM	#4
Aubrey64 Drives: 2010 Camaro LLT/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,685	Awesome! Thanks __________________

05-10-2013, 12:27 PM	#5
Tyler360 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wittenberg, Wisconsin Posts: 701 View My Garage	Awesome! Subscribed __________________ My Build Thread:http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287531

05-10-2013, 12:29 PM	#6
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Out of curiosity - do you have the OEM backup camera? I wonder if you could hook this thing up so it displays on that. Hmmm... __________________

05-10-2013, 08:35 AM	#3
Lanky Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 7	Thanks! I'll work on a step by step this weekend.

05-10-2013, 01:03 PM	#7
Lanky Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 7	Yup, I have the backup display in the mirror. I thought about trying that, but I thought up too many unknowns/complications. For example, I'm not sure if the screen in the mirror turns on when you put it in reverse, or whenever it receives a video signal (and the backup camera turns on when you select reverse). I wouldn't want to put it in reverse to turn the screen on in order to drive forward into a parking space. Plus I'd have to add some sort of toggle switch to the video feed to select between front and back anyway. It seemed easier (at least for me) to do it as a separate system.

11-22-2013, 01:37 PM	#9
Inuyashas_Brother Drives: '10 Camaro LS - M6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 550	Very creative and well-done. Thanks for the step by step guide! __________________

12-07-2013, 02:14 PM	#10
Aubrey64 Drives: 2010 Camaro LLT/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,685	Thanks for the DIY!! __________________