5thGenRams Forums

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Adding OEM grill camera

Blake1806

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
I have a 2019 1500 Laramie Longhorn and am changing out the grill which will now have a camera. I plan to do the Alpha OBD or Tazer DT flash to use the cargo camera feature, but am unable to find info in the forums on anyone using an OEM camera for this.
Does anyone know of a good aftermarket camera that fits in the stock bracket or does anyone have info on how to use the OEM camera in this way?
I'm not looking to add 360 camera system, just the grill camera.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230303_130257_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20230303_130257_Gallery.jpg
    95.2 KB · Views: 64
  • 20230303_130640.jpg
    20230303_130640.jpg
    35.9 KB · Views: 61
  • 20230303_130710.jpg
    20230303_130710.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 53
  • 20230303_130812.jpg
    20230303_130812.jpg
    114.4 KB · Views: 49
  • 20230303_130847.jpg
    20230303_130847.jpg
    105.9 KB · Views: 49
  • 20230303_130915.jpg
    20230303_130915.jpg
    79.4 KB · Views: 48
  • 20230303_130946.jpg
    20230303_130946.jpg
    111.3 KB · Views: 60

djevox

VP of Creative Thinking
Staff member
Site Supporter
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
4,209
Reaction score
4,578
Location
MD
I added a camera on my 2021 Uconnect4 system by buying this amazon camera, drilling a hole in the bottom of the “A” in RAM, running wiring to fuse panel and back of radio, using a z-automtive video harness, then turning it on in alfaobd. Alternatively, Jimmy07 on here makes the same video harness. Resolution was ok and not great, but it got the job done. Couple pics done:
3D2DDD1F-4C6E-4E92-86C0-1967C7FE6BCD.jpeg
3760602E-E016-4A15-A3CA-5601A6463249.jpeg
 

31RamIt

Ram Guru
Joined
Oct 25, 2021
Messages
1,103
Reaction score
1,091
I added a camera on my 2021 Uconnect4 system by buying this amazon camera, drilling a hole in the bottom of the “A” in RAM, running wiring to fuse panel and back of radio, using a z-automtive video harness, then turning it on in alfaobd. Alternatively, Jimmy07 on here makes the same video harness. Resolution was ok and not great, but it got the job done. Couple pics done:
View attachment 153653
View attachment 153652
I did this same thing. You have to have an analog camera to tap it into the cargo cam I think. The front OEM camera is different.
 

djevox

VP of Creative Thinking
Staff member
Site Supporter
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
4,209
Reaction score
4,578
Location
MD
I did this same thing. You have to have an analog camera to tap it into the cargo cam I think. The front OEM camera is different.
Yep, just like you did, I connected the wires to the cargo cam spot and enabled cargo cam. I’m pretty sure that to have a true front camera view in uConnect, we need to have the full 360 camera system.
 

cskindt

Ram Guru
Joined
Jul 9, 2022
Messages
614
Reaction score
603
Location
SW IA
I have a 2019 1500 Laramie Longhorn and am changing out the grill which will now have a camera. I plan to do the Alpha OBD or Tazer DT flash to use the cargo camera feature, but am unable to find info in the forums on anyone using an OEM camera for this.
Does anyone know of a good aftermarket camera that fits in the stock bracket or does anyone have info on how to use the OEM camera in this way?
I'm not looking to add 360 camera system, just the grill camera.
 

31RamIt

Ram Guru
Joined
Oct 25, 2021
Messages
1,103
Reaction score
1,091
Man, this thread took a long time for me to get through.
 

djevox

VP of Creative Thinking
Staff member
Site Supporter
Joined
Aug 27, 2021
Messages
4,209
Reaction score
4,578
Location
MD
Man, this thread took a long time for me to get through.
That’s why I decided to just quickly answer it. I do think that’s a great thread though.
 

Blake1806

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
I added a camera on my 2021 Uconnect4 system by buying this amazon camera, drilling a hole in the bottom of the “A” in RAM, running wiring to fuse panel and back of radio, using a z-automtive video harness, then turning it on in alfaobd. Alternatively, Jimmy07 on here makes the same video harness. Resolution was ok and not great, but it got the job done. Couple pics done:
View attachment 153653
View attachment 153652
Thanks for the reply. I read through the extensive thread on this a while back and will go that route if need be. Mainly I was just trying to see if anyone has found a direct analog replacement that fits into the OEM camera housing that already exsists.
 

bskubon

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2020
Messages
96
Reaction score
46
I did this install like a year ago, got the correct OEM grill with the camera hole, finding the correct grill part number was a challenge, I ordered what I thought was it, to find out it wasn’t for the Limited, so I have a 68341467AC for Laramie if anyone interested. But, ordered an Analog camera from Amazon and enabled via AlphaOBD. You do need the special connector pins on the back of the radio. Hardest part was getting the bumper off and grill off, and switching the chrome RAM pieces onto the new grill. But, works great. The OEM camera is meant to talk on the communications bus and is digital not Analog. No idea why RAM sped’d the cargo camera as Analog. Kind of wondering if that is still the same in the new 23 models.
 

Modstang

Active Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2021
Messages
25
Reaction score
8
I did this install like a year ago, got the correct OEM grill with the camera hole, finding the correct grill part number was a challenge, I ordered what I thought was it, to find out it wasn’t for the Limited, so I have a 68341467AC for Laramie if anyone interested. But, ordered an Analog camera from Amazon and enabled via AlphaOBD. You do need the special connector pins on the back of the radio. Hardest part was getting the bumper off and grill off, and switching the chrome RAM pieces onto the new grill. But, works great. The OEM camera is meant to talk on the communications bus and is digital not Analog. No idea why RAM sped’d the cargo camera as Analog. Kind of wondering if that is still the same in the new 23 models.
Do you have the correct part number for the limited grill with the OEM camera?
 

Blake1806

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
I did this install like a year ago, got the correct OEM grill with the camera hole, finding the correct grill part number was a challenge, I ordered what I thought was it, to find out it wasn’t for the Limited, so I have a 68341467AC for Laramie if anyone interested. But, ordered an Analog camera from Amazon and enabled via AlphaOBD. You do need the special connector pins on the back of the radio. Hardest part was getting the bumper off and grill off, and switching the chrome RAM pieces onto the new grill. But, works great. The OEM camera is meant to talk on the communications bus and is digital not Analog. No idea why RAM sped’d the cargo camera as Analog. Kind of wondering if that is still the same in the new 23 models.
What analog camera did you order from Amazon? Did it fit the stock camera housing in the grill well or did you have to modify it?
 

Blake1806

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Update:
I've looked in the forums and used FB search, but can't find the answers, so hoping my Ram brothers who know more about this can help:

I found a camera that I think will work for my grill, just need to modify some things to make it fit right in the stock housing. I have a Tazer DT on the way and know where I need to pin the wiring into the Uconnect harness, but have other wiring questions.

1. I was wondering where I should connect the "trigger" wire (circled in another member's pic - 1st picture). It's a front camera, so I don't want to hook it to reverse lighting, so.......

2. Seeing the pic of my camera set up (2nd pucture), I would like to confirm wire 1 will connect to ground, wire 2 to power? Wire 3 is trigger and I would probably need to splice and extend it to wherever the location is to question 1, correct?

3. Where can I get the red RCA, two purple wired connector (1st picture) pinned into the harness? I found a version on Amazon (3rd picture), but not thrilled with the gage and how it compares to what I'm seeing in the pic.

Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • 20230322_075436.jpg
    20230322_075436.jpg
    152.5 KB · Views: 45
  • 20230322_080006.jpg
    20230322_080006.jpg
    67.6 KB · Views: 44
  • Screenshot_20230322_081219_Amazon Shopping.jpg
    Screenshot_20230322_081219_Amazon Shopping.jpg
    50.2 KB · Views: 44

cskindt

Ram Guru
Joined
Jul 9, 2022
Messages
614
Reaction score
603
Location
SW IA
Update:
I've looked in the forums and used FB search, but can't find the answers, so hoping my Ram brothers who know more about this can help:

I found a camera that I think will work for my grill, just need to modify some things to make it fit right in the stock housing. I have a Tazer DT on the way and know where I need to pin the wiring into the Uconnect harness, but have other wiring questions.

1. I was wondering where I should connect the "trigger" wire (circled in another member's pic - 1st picture). It's a front camera, so I don't want to hook it to reverse lighting, so.......

2. Seeing the pic of my camera set up (2nd pucture), I would like to confirm wire 1 will connect to ground, wire 2 to power? Wire 3 is trigger and I would probably need to splice and extend it to wherever the location is to question 1, correct?

3. Where can I get the red RCA, two purple wired connector (1st picture) pinned into the harness? I found a version on Amazon (3rd picture), but not thrilled with the gage and how it compares to what I'm seeing in the pic.

Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated.
The trigger doesn't get connected. Cover it and forget about it.
Red is signal.
There's nothing wrong with the Amazon jack. You'll have to crimp your own sockets on any RCA adapter you use.
 

skyhawk42

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2022
Messages
260
Reaction score
219
The red connector is just a solder on end. The red part unscrews from the metal part and you solder your wires and screw it back on. Really no better than what you have already
 

Blake1806

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
I ended up getting this camera and making a 3D enclosure for it to fit in the stock camera housing. Works like a champ, just don't cut the purple wire!

NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera: No Distorted Affect Starlight Night Vision HD Waterproof 960H CVBS/720P AHD Hitch Backup/Reverse/Rear View Camera License Plate for Cars Pickup Trucks SUV RV Van https://a.co/d/02Vjm84
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230409_171941_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20230409_171941_Chrome.jpg
    79.8 KB · Views: 53
  • 20230409_135958.jpg
    20230409_135958.jpg
    90.7 KB · Views: 53

Lilmike84

New Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2023
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I did this install like a year ago, got the correct OEM grill with the camera hole, finding the correct grill part number was a challenge, I ordered what I thought was it, to find out it wasn’t for the Limited, so I have a 68341467AC for Laramie if anyone interested. But, ordered an Analog camera from Amazon and enabled via AlphaOBD. You do need the special connector pins on the back of the radio. Hardest part was getting the bumper off and grill off, and switching the chrome RAM pieces onto the new grill. But, works great. The OEM camera is meant to talk on the communications bus and is digital not Analog. No idea why RAM sped’d the cargo camera as Analog. Kind of wondering if that is still the same in the new 23 mode

I did this install like a year ago, got the correct OEM grill with the camera hole, finding the correct grill part number was a challenge, I ordered what I thought was it, to find out it wasn’t for the Limited, so I have a 68341467AC for Laramie if anyone interested. But, ordered an Analog camera from Amazon and enabled via AlphaOBD. You do need the special connector pins on the back of the radio. Hardest part was getting the bumper off and grill off, and switching the chrome RAM pieces onto the new grill. But, works great. The OEM camera is meant to talk on the communications bus and is digital not Analog. No idea why RAM sped’d the cargo camera as Analog. Kind of wondering if that is still the same in the new 23 models.
Do you still have the emblem backing plate for sale?
 

GoatedRam

Member
Joined
May 2, 2022
Messages
6
Reaction score
2
I just purchased the grille with camera. Does anyone know what harness you run to the radio from the camera pig tail?
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top