A Restyling How-To: Hindsight: Install a rear-camera backup system

More and more, vehicle owners are requesting more features added to their vehicles, some pre-installed from dealers, but most added on either as part of a sale, or later, when aftermarket restyling shops get drivers coming in.

Safety devices, such as rearview backup systems that alert drivers to blind-spot objects and, especially, children or other people who might be near and unseen, are one of those items restyling shops can offer their clients.

While many shops get the training and practice to install such devices as a rear-mounted camera connected to a video monitor for the driver (be that a rearview mirror, already installed unit or standalone), there are those shops that turn away business because they feel they lack the technical expertise to handle such an install.

Throughout the next several pages is a general yet straightforward how-to on installing a rear camera display for a customer’s vehicle. Remember to always follow and/or ask manufacturers of such devices for specific directions.

For this demonstration we use Mito’s rear camera display mirror and VN2218 backup camera installed on a 2007 Ford F-150 XLT.


1. Original F150 mirror: On this F-150 the OE mirror has a compass module attached to the arm. This will need to be removed and then re-attached after the new mirror has been installed. Remove mirror from windshield, leave wiring for compass module intact.	2. Mirror button: The F-150 has the same button that our mirror will fit. If the vehicle does not have this mount, a new button will need to be glued to the windshield; certain vehicles have adaptors available, as well.

3. Install new mirror: Plug the first section of the mirror harness into the back of the new mirror. Place mirror on button and tighten set screw with a T20 Torx drive bit.	4. Run harness for new mirror: Tuck the wires for the new mirror along the headliner heading toward the driver’s side A-Pillar.

5. Remove driver’s side grab-handle: Remove the bolts holding the factory grab-handle and A-Pillar trim in place.	6. Remove trim along A-pillar: Remove the factory trim along the A-Pillar; be careful to avoid any airbag wiring. This area needs to be exposed to continue running the mirror wires.

7. Connect next section of mirror harness: All of Mito’s RCD mirror harnesses are made in sections to allow for easier installation. Connect the next section and continue to tuck the wires along the headliner to the A-Pillar; then continue to route the wires down the exposed Pillar.	8. Continue running the mirror wire harness: With the trim piece removed, the harness can be routed down and into the kick plate area.

9. Re-attach the grab-handle and trim piece.	10. Remove trim pieces to expose the underside of the dash area: Remove any trim pieces necessary to gain access to the ignition harness to make wiring connections.

11. Route harness to underside of steering column: Continue to route the mirror harness through the opening just created. At this point you will connect your accessory (switched) power, ground and reverse trigger.	12. Test all connections with a voltmeter: NOTE: Don’t use a test light (you’re a professional, right?); use a volt meter to test for good accessory power, ground and a reverse trigger.

13. Solder and tape off all connections.	14. Remove trim at kick plate and along door sill.

15. Continue to run wire harness: Run the wire harness along the door sill; in this case, the best place to get to the underside of the truck is right at this point. The wires will run through the floorboard and then continue along the truck’s brake-light harness.	16. Camera installation: We are using a Mito VN2218 camera with a license plate bracket for this installation. Begin by removing the license plate from the vehicle.

17. Place camera: Put the camera in place; there are slots in the bracket to allow for left-to-right movement of the camera in case it were on an SUV or a car with a trunk latch, or a license plate illumination light directly above it.	18. Install camera on license plate: Once you have determined that where you place the camera won’t affect the normal use of the vehicle (or the camera), install camera on license plate, routing the camera harness through the existing opening in the bumper.

19. Re-attach license plate with camera in place.	20. Make necessary camera connections: Any camera connections made under the body of the vehicle need to be weatherproofed. We suggest using heat-shrink to do this.

21. Continue running the camera harness: On the F-150 an easy way to run the camera harness under the truck is to follow the brake light harness back to the kick plate of the driver’s side. Zip-tie the harness to keep it from hanging down and being exposed.	22. Connect camera to mirror harness: Make all connections for the camera to the mirror harness. The camera needs to be powered from the supplied leads on the mirror harness. Connect the video connection and tape it off.

23.Test the installation: With the truck turned on, place foot on the brake and shift into reverse. You should have an image of what is directly behind the vehicle. Shift into any other gear and the display disappears; the monitor will only work in reverse.	24. Completion: While the truck is in reverse and the image is on, make any adjustments necessary to the camera for the preferred viewing angle. Re-attach any trim pieces and the installation is complete.

Restyling Magazine

A Restyling How-To: Hindsight: Install a rear-camera backup system

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