It was suggested to me, that I post this modification, in this section. This is copied from my build page.
I have been thinking about having spotting cameras, for a few years now. After some research, I contacted Total Vision Products, of Tucson AZ. http://www.totalvisionproducts.com/ After lengthy conversations, we decided to meet and formulate a plan for the system I wanted. Trust me it evolved, from my initial thought.
After 2 years of thought and about 8 weeks of install. (the weekend warrior way) Here is what we created.
Rod Developed the system . I did the fabrication and install.
This was my first thought, 2 monitors in my visor, after a few attempts, I didn't like the whole deal
[img width=800 height=600]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/puulboy/DSCN2363.jpg[/img]
Second attempt
[img width=800 height=600]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/puulboy/IMG_0002.jpg[/img]
Look Ma , more monitors
[img width=800 height=600]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/puulboy/IMG_0011.jpg[/img]
I needed to make everything function correctly, you are seeing my positioning so the visors still work
[img width=800 height=600]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv45/puulboy/IMG_0013-1.jpg[/img]
WIKID has eyes for you... Teaser shot of her new LOOK so to speak.
Believe it or not I do not have the pictures of my final product before I installed it. I must have been busy.
I will say its one piece and came out nice, after I got all the angles exact.
Note: I have been asked to recreate this system, in another FJ, so I will get pictures then
I have a few details to write up, as it's progress happens.
While I am doing this project, I am adding stuff as I go.
Since the headliner is down, I am doing a few things to make life easier.
Wilson 1000 antenna roof mounted. Say good bye to the lil will Mag mount. You won't see cables on the roof now. This antenna is about the best you can get for a CB. The really nice feature is, you can unscrew the base of the antenna, with you hand and screw a cap on the stub, so you don't have to have the antenna up all the time. Its just a little black cap that is left.
I decided to quiet the beast some, with a product from Second Skin Audio
Sound Deadening Materials for Noise Reduction from Second Skin
The product is called Damplifier Pro. kills, vibration, heat and noise
It comes in 12"x20" sheets that have paper you peel to adhere to the roof. Its very sticky and I cannot see it coming off even if you begged it.
Next will be another insulation product I glue to the face of the Damplifier Pro
Its about 1/2 to 5/8th thick called "heat wave" and has great insulation properties
Second part of insulating
I left it short till I secure the rest of my stuff but it will be finalized after it it all done
Today was the beginning of the camera mount and wiring days. I completed 3 camera installs and ran about 80% of the wire/cables Location, location, location, was the theme of the day.
The picture below shows 2 of the 3 cameras installed today.
Camera 1
Drivers side on the roof Narrow view camera that shows lots of distance but not as much on the sides
Camera 2
Passenger side a wide angle but not much distance
My logic behind where there are mounted is..
I wanted to be able to easily clean them without having to make some kind of boom to reach the center ( remember I am short) I decided to follow the line of the washer nozzles. With that I also needed to establish an axis for where center would be in front of the truck. 8Ball and I worked it out with much effort
Progress on the overhead console
I used headliner material to cover the monitor pods and made a center section which will house both of the keypads, cb radio and a few other goodies I have planned for it.
Here is a sample Keypad that will control the cameras. The center was cut and formed from 18 gauge steel. Angles were important along with forming a rigid back edge
One more view from the back of the truck.
The top edge should be the approx height of the headliner
I am working with Rod from Total Vision of Tucson, AZ. Total Vision Products: The new standard in mobile vision products I gave him the thoughts I had and he developed the system. We are working together with the install. So far my end of the install is almost done. Rod is designing another system that could be a great addition to the FJ crowd along with others who may want something like it. The system being designed is not this involved for the install. Mine is just over the top. I will post more details about that soon
The wife's TT will be fitted with that system this weekend
Just a small update. Besides all of the wiring I accomplished the oh center console is painted and fitted.
I am pleased with the way it came out. There are still some things to add to it but it is on the way to being complete.
Next will be one more set of cables to run then the headliner can go back up.
I am waiting for the cables though
I will start with a view from the drivers seat while driving home from Tucson. The left picture is facing forward from one of the 2 front facing roof cams. The right picture is the long view rear roof cam picture. I was hoping to catch this guy pickin his nose
We have most of the system in and 2 of the cameras viewing.
There is lots of wiring and configuring to do. This is the semi complete oh console after today's progress
Even though it doesn't look like it, we are fairly close to trimming everything out and doing final adjustments, before the headliner goes back up. Its a slow process because this is totally custom and there are many things that come up while we progress
Wiring in the 2 ecu's that are controlled from the keypads on the console
I can't wait till I can start putting stuff back together. It seems like the more we do the more we take apart, but that's the fun of making something from nothing.
The part you don't see is the DVR. I forgot pictures of it, but pictures will follow
I decided to make a harness for all the switches in the OH console. I ran one 12 gauge wire for power and a ground. Then soldered and wired each switch. I used (2) 5 wire cables to use as trigger wires to run to all of the accessories that will need to be switched. I should never have to pull anything apart in the roof area to add anything from now on .
This is just a pic of all the switches being tested
Of the 9 switches in the console 5 are already dedicated off-road light and The Baja Camera System.
Today is camera install day part 2
Here is a rock spotting camera located on the front drivers side. The passenger side has the same
I drilled a 1" hole angled down and painted the exposed edge. The camera's have brackets that are epoxied in place
Approach angle camera
Here is the departure camera or backup cam
Rear axle cam protected buy my skids and with clear view of the dif and inner tires
Quad channel DVR with GPS tracking and alarm mode
Here is the wiring finalized. It will not move or show after the headliner is installed. We still have to test the whole system before the headliner goes up just in case..
Here are the 2 ecu's wired and ready for testing. I am going to make a wire keeper for the top of this where all the wires that come out of the ecu's will so have support above them so they won't wiggle out. Testing mode doesn't require neat appearance til I know its right
more to follow....