My Facelift ZT Rear Camera Install

neilbaker86 · 22nd August 2012, 21:10

Thought I'd share some photos of my recent handy-work. I purchased a waterproof wide-angle rear view camera from eBay for just under £17 quid.

Whilst fitting my new headunit (a Pioneer SPH-DA100 'AppRadio 2') I also fitted the Harman amp and subwoofer in the boot. This required me to remove all the seats and carpets to run the loom, so whilst I was there I also ran a composite video cable for a future rear camera installation.

I opened the boot and removed the boot lid liner, disconnected the numberplate lamp wires and tailgate actuator wire, tied a piece of string to the end and pulled it out and down of the rubber sleeve at the bottom right hand corner, then used felt tape to attach the composite cable to the original wires, and then pulled the whole lot back up (routed inside the boot lid along the yellow line in the above photo). I also pulled up a +12v supply and earth for the rear view camera which I took off the reverse parking sensor loom which I found kicking about behind the offside boot trim. I decided not to supply the camera from the reversing lights, but instead an ignition switched supply.

Next, I removed the rear MG badge and it's holder. Cut out an accurate slot on it for the camera to slide into:

Camera fitted, I glued it in on the back after getting the alignment spot on.

Next I drilled a 7mm hole in the boot lid, painted the edge of the metal to prevent future rust, and fitted a small rubber grommet. I cut the connector off the wire coming out of the camera, pushed the wires through, and then soldered and insulated the wires back together to keep the hole as small as possible:

After that I put it all back together, with a new MG badge, and a small but neat smear of black silicone around the camera, and these are the results!

The headunit has an input from the reverse lights, so when reverse is selected this pops up:

The alignment of the camera is spot on, as you can just see the edge of the rear bumper, but also horizontally backwards. And the camera is mounted right in the centre of the vehicle, not off to one side.

Looking at the rear of the car, you'd barely even notice the camera.

Jim Jamieson · 22nd August 2012, 21:56

Very neat work, I'm impressed

JYJ

clembo · 22nd August 2012, 23:06

looks very professional

I like the dd unit which one is it??

neilbaker86 · 22nd August 2012, 23:57

Thanks for the kind comments folks!

Here's the headunit:
http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25...100/index.html

And the camera:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120892369703

Ian G · 23rd August 2012, 07:12

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!! Firefrost ...
Cheers Ian

Longbridge Loony · 23rd August 2012, 08:47

Well done. What a great neat job you have done there. I have just fitted a cheap 12 quid camera from ebay too. It was a replacement for the radioguy one which cost 50 and was utter rubbish! I was promised that the radioguy one would have a crystal clear picture due to its Sony lens. However because I have the tourer, it wasn't a neat fit and looked awful. The new one is chrome and very neat, although not as good as your tidy installation! Welld done again that man!!

Sjonnie · 13th March 2014, 17:33

Just installed my reverse camera today as per your description. The result is excellent!

Just came by to say thanks for your utterly useful posting

neilbaker86 · 13th March 2014, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sjonnie

Just installed my reverse camera today as per your description. The result is excellent!

Just came by to say thanks for your utterly useful posting

Glad to hear it helped you out! It looks great and thanks for posting!

NOCTURNAL · 19th March 2014, 08:26

Nice Install Neil

Patnut · 22nd February 2019, 15:39

I know this is an old post but I'm trying to do mine now but have one question.

How do I remove the MG badge holder? Looking at your pics it looks like 3 screws with one hidden behind the badge so I assume I need to somehow remove my badge and once complete replace with a new one?

Thanks,
Pat

22nd August 2012, 21:10	#1
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	My Facelift ZT Rear Camera Install Thought I'd share some photos of my recent handy-work. I purchased a waterproof wide-angle rear view camera from eBay for just under £17 quid. Whilst fitting my new headunit (a Pioneer SPH-DA100 'AppRadio 2') I also fitted the Harman amp and subwoofer in the boot. This required me to remove all the seats and carpets to run the loom, so whilst I was there I also ran a composite video cable for a future rear camera installation. I opened the boot and removed the boot lid liner, disconnected the numberplate lamp wires and tailgate actuator wire, tied a piece of string to the end and pulled it out and down of the rubber sleeve at the bottom right hand corner, then used felt tape to attach the composite cable to the original wires, and then pulled the whole lot back up (routed inside the boot lid along the yellow line in the above photo). I also pulled up a +12v supply and earth for the rear view camera which I took off the reverse parking sensor loom which I found kicking about behind the offside boot trim. I decided not to supply the camera from the reversing lights, but instead an ignition switched supply. Next, I removed the rear MG badge and it's holder. Cut out an accurate slot on it for the camera to slide into: Camera fitted, I glued it in on the back after getting the alignment spot on. Next I drilled a 7mm hole in the boot lid, painted the edge of the metal to prevent future rust, and fitted a small rubber grommet. I cut the connector off the wire coming out of the camera, pushed the wires through, and then soldered and insulated the wires back together to keep the hole as small as possible: After that I put it all back together, with a new MG badge, and a small but neat smear of black silicone around the camera, and these are the results! The headunit has an input from the reverse lights, so when reverse is selected this pops up: The alignment of the camera is spot on, as you can just see the edge of the rear bumper, but also horizontally backwards. And the camera is mounted right in the centre of the vehicle, not off to one side. Looking at the rear of the car, you'd barely even notice the camera.

22nd August 2012, 23:06	#3
clembo Loves to post MG ZT+ 1.8 turbo 160 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: newton aycliffe Posts: 297 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	looks very professional I like the dd unit which one is it?? __________________ [SIGPIC]Only happy when its shiny!!![/SIGPIC]

23rd August 2012, 07:12	#5
Ian G This is my second home Small Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Land of the Eel Posts: 6,315 Thanks: 2,328 Thanked 2,991 Times in 1,431 Posts	MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!! Firefrost ... Cheers Ian __________________ The man behind redfive

23rd August 2012, 08:47	#6
Longbridge Loony Loves to post MG6 GT SE & Rover 25 IE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 409 Thanks: 112 Thanked 23 Times in 14 Posts	Well done. What a great neat job you have done there. I have just fitted a cheap 12 quid camera from ebay too. It was a replacement for the radioguy one which cost 50 and was utter rubbish! I was promised that the radioguy one would have a crystal clear picture due to its Sony lens. However because I have the tourer, it wasn't a neat fit and looked awful. The new one is chrome and very neat, although not as good as your tidy installation! Welld done again that man!! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Above all it's a Rover

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22nd August 2012, 21:56	#2
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Very neat work, I'm impressed JYJ

22nd August 2012, 23:57	#4
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	Thanks for the kind comments folks! Here's the headunit: http://www.pioneer.eu/uk/products/25...100/index.html And the camera: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120892369703

19th March 2014, 08:26	#9
NOCTURNAL Gets stuck in MG ZT-260SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norwich Posts: 645 Thanks: 17 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Nice Install Neil

22nd February 2019, 15:39	#10
Patnut Avid contributor MG ZT 180+ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: London - Wembely Posts: 140 Thanks: 16 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I know this is an old post but I'm trying to do mine now but have one question. How do I remove the MG badge holder? Looking at your pics it looks like 3 screws with one hidden behind the badge so I assume I need to somehow remove my badge and once complete replace with a new one? Thanks, Pat