Jump to content

3rd Brake Light Camera Mod

joguzman711

By joguzman711
in Modifications & Accessories

 Share

Recommended Posts

joguzman711 Enthusiast

joguzman711

Posted
Posted (edited)

Is there a better option?  

I installed a LEER shell on the bed of my 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD truck.  The shell is now blocking the 3rd brake light camera so that the feature of using a camera vs a mirror in the rear view mirror unit is now not an option.  I am limited to see what’s behind me using side mirrors only.  Below are my thoughts and notes:

 

The 2020 Silverado 2500 HD has a “Spoiler” on the back of the cab that houses the 3rd Brake Light assembly.  There are two cameras on that 3rd brake light assembly identified in the attached pictorial diagram as #4 and #6.  #4 Camera is listed as an Auxiliary Rearview Camera that works in conjunction with the trailer view camera feature and the #6 camera is the RearView mirror camera that allows one to see behind him via a flip of a switch on the mirror itself.

 

It appears that in order to remove the 3rd Brake Light assembly you will either have to remove the entire headliner or simply move the back of the headliner enough to access the screws (10) & (11) that secures the spoiler in place. Once removed, you can remove the 3rd Brake Light Assembly and replace it with a 3rd Brake Light assembly without cameras.  The 3rd Brake Light assembly connects to a harness listed as (9) on the pictorial diagram. 

 

My plan is to take the OEM 3rd Brake Light assembly apart and remove both cameras.  Purchase a Kia Telluride GPS Shark Fin antenna and gut it.  Mount the cameras onto it and install it on the LEER shell roof 5” from the back hatch.  Ensure I splice in enough conductor (15-20 ft)  to run it to the harness (#9) in the cab.  This should provide a plug and play installation.  I will need to ensure that the angles of the cameras mounted on the shark fin are correct.  Reinstall headliner after I verify all is functioning correctly.  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  Is there a better option?

Spoiler Diagram.jpeg

pic 3.jpg

pic 1.jpg

pic 2.jpg

Edited by joguzman711
Add a pic
hkyfsh Enthusiast

hkyfsh

Posted
Posted

Sure would be nice to have an infotainment update that allows you to choose which camera is in the rear view mirror.

  • Like 2
joguzman711 Enthusiast

joguzman711

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes... this would be nice.  However. it appears that camera #6 connects directly to the rearview mirror.

  • Like 1
ArTurf Enthusiast

ArTurf

Posted
Posted

There's another thread about rear view mirror cameras and the subject about doing what you want to do came up. Someone was going to use a OE GM cable and try it but they never posted back how it worked. I myself would like to do this also

BlaineBug Enthusiast

BlaineBug

Posted
Posted

Following just because this sounds cool.  Some truck bed caps have a 3rd brake light incorporated as part of the design.  Would be sweet if Leer had a cap that used an OEM Chevrolet/GMC light.  Now extend the wiring, buy another OEM light, and there you have it, a factory look!

Limelight Enthusiast

Limelight

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

Following just because this sounds cool.  Some truck bed caps have a 3rd brake light incorporated as part of the design.  Would be sweet if Leer had a cap that used an OEM Chevrolet/GMC light.  Now extend the wiring, buy another OEM light, and there you have it, a factory look!

Would be easier if they had a kit that included a “plug” fake third brake light for the truck, the extension wire - and used your existing 3rd brakelight With the camera on the cap. 

BlaineBug Enthusiast

BlaineBug

Posted
Posted

Absolutely.  The cap could just be black, doesn't even have to match the body color because nobody would see it anyway.  This has to be a thing their engineers are thinking about since rear view cameras are so common these days.  And it's nuts to cover them up!  Considering they are mounted in this spot and not in the tailgate anymore.  Maybe they will moving forward.

joguzman711 Enthusiast

joguzman711

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

The cap or Leer shell came with a 3rd Brake Light   It’s a requirement in most states. What it doesn’t have is a camera and even if it did, the angle would not be correct hence the GPS shark fin idea. BTW, the new 2020 Camaro comes with a shark fin with a built in camera but the angle won’t work on a cap or shell application. 

Edited by joguzman711
joguzman711 Enthusiast

joguzman711

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

My “Shark fin” antenna just arrived.  I gutted it. GM part 84519353.  Now the wait.  My upholsterer won’t have an opening until the end of April.  We need to drop the headliner to remove the spoiler/3rd brake light assembly.  I’m going to go ahead with my idea. Will keep you posted.  

Edited by joguzman711
  • Like 1
joguzman711 Enthusiast

joguzman711

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

This is a sharkfin GPS antenna with built in camera I found on a 2020 Camaro.  Looks ugly.  The SharkFin antenna I bought looks better.    

DD1E8C5E-AB7A-4CC1-B4B8-796A12E17E11.jpeg

Edited by joguzman711
kf9yr Enthusiast

kf9yr

Posted
Posted

Are you going to mount the bed camera on the interior of the shell and the rear view camera on the shark fin?




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

mkeddie Enthusiast

mkeddie

Posted
Posted
Are you going to mount the bed camera on the interior of the shell and the rear view camera on the shark fin?




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
For the rear view mirror to work In camera mode the bed view camera will have to be mounted outside

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Chuck FB
      Correct way to service 2024 l8t allison trans?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Thanks for that, yes just because I could I measured what came out just to give me some guidance although I already knew to expect it to take at least 9.5 to just throwing in the whole 10 quarts off the shot and doing a one and done heat cycle to drop out the excess to get to the proper level. I don't recall exactly now what I measured that came out but was less than I put back in, I knew I spilled some on the garage floor but the main part was that I was thrilled in the discovery I did not have to touch my exhaust to flex it down. The gasket manipulating is a pain of course to create that clearance to take the pan out and put back in but its all very doable if one is careful and not forcing the gasket to flex too much. From the quote I got at a transmission shop of 900.00 here in Canada ( never asked at the dealer what they charge ) I saved 700.00 doing it myself after paying for the supplies so that to me paid very good wages !, and I knew what fluid was put in and that I had changed the filter and that the level is correct without any doubts. 
    • bojanglespa
      2016 Sierra 1500 6.2L lifter Failure 🤨

      By bojanglespa · Posted

      I do have one of the AFM diasable box, using it for last 1.5 years.
    • Mellowth
      Tonneau cover and rack combo

      By Mellowth · Posted

      I found a setup that lets me open the cover partway with racks installed, using side-rail-mounted systems for easy access.
    • Chuck FB
      first oil change - 2026 2500HD gas

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Typically its said and I agree so far that the engine oil drain plug oring is not required to be changed out unless you see some damage happening to the oring as apparently the oring lasts well. The dealer I have been getting a few parts from never even stocked the oring but instead stocked the whole drain plug that comes with a new oring which for the dealer is easier because they just throw in a new drain plug if there was any question about damage on it as well and charge the customer accordingly but again only if it is needed.    Also a hint about the drain plug oring to help it last vs a risk of causing damage to it, after its been removed and wiped off or washed off ( that is a whole other topic about some solvents damaging orings because some solvent types do ) to make sure to relube the oring with a bit of new oil so that it won't "grip" on the sealing surface of the pan and needlessly stress out the oring. Its no different than putting some oil on the sealing ring of the engine oil filter. So I just grabbed a new drain plug to have on hand although more recently bought just the oring as well but as its special it costs half the price of the drain plug ... !   Since you mentioned the hate to be empty handed theme, I am not sure what you have in the way of filter removal tools as I like using the exact sized for the filter steel 1" wide band with side to side swivel handle filter removal tool, and it can be used to snug up the filter without risk of damaging a filter as well ( its probably a lisle brand I have ). The drain plug hex size is 15mm and I always like using a 6 point socket if I have a choice and with this truck I've been using just a 3/8 ratchet that has a fairly long handle. Do you have a funnel that will work to pour oil in as that is definitely the short coming bastard part about the design with that fill port on the valve cover on such an angle that no normal funnel will even work. There are adapters and things on the market that will set into or screw into that fill port, I didn't want to deal with US shipping as that is all I was seeing at the time so caved and bought a Lisle brand multi vehicle fit adapter funnel kit and it really works well but there are much less expensive adapters out there that work in conjunction with an off the shelf funnel that would do the job also. Now that I have it, I like how it works and works so slick with the shape of the Amsoil 1 quart containers I have now switched over to. Whatever you do, have a funnel system of some sort as you will be swearing if you dropped the oil and then realize you have nothing to properly pour new oil in without spilling it all over the engine !.     Other comments, quite a bit of oil flows out down the filter when its cracked loose due to the housing above the filter so let it dribble down the filter until it slacks off flow and then remove the filter to create less possible mess. It seems these engines can sit for quite a while and drip and if you have time let it sit there and drip out of the engine as much as it wants. Also a good time to grease the 9 zerks on the front end, that's my typical practice anyway to grease the suspension and steering each time I change the oil. And remember to reset the oil change minder ( not something I am used to doing with older vehicles and equipment ). 
    • Aimatdeer
      Correct way to service 2024 l8t allison trans?

      By Aimatdeer · Posted

      I really did not measure what came out. I carefully followed directions to check level after i did the spill and fill and filter change. I used 10 quarts. 9 was not quite enough. My trans temp was about 175 when I checked it. Truck sitting in my driveway very close to level where I always check oil pretty much every time for consistency. My driveway is just ever so slightly downhill to run water to the street.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...