I realize that this thread is getting a bit old, but I found some of the information provided useful in achieving my eventual solution, so I thought others may find what I learned useful as well. My goal was to build a single cable long enough to run from a camera attached to the back of my camper (2015 Arctic Fox 990) to the rear of my pickup - a 2014 RAM 3500 DRW.
Like several others in this thread, last year I purchased an OEM Camera along with the 2 cable assemblies that are used in the tailgate.
I wasn't thrilled about the prospect of cutting and splicing to make a longer cable and was intrigued by the idea of using the Chassis Cab to Camera cables that Mopar provides - both 10' and 30'. These cables were touched upon by previous posters in this thread. To recap, these cables are meant to be used on the Chassis-Cab version of the RAM trucks NOT the pickups. As such, one end has a 6-pin connector versus the 10-pin connector used on the Pickup Truck versions of the RAMs. The nice feature of these cables is the camera end is nicely attached and the cable itself is a bit more suitable for exterior use - durable, flexible, shielded and fairly thin Here's a link to a nice description -
2014 Rear View Camera Installation
The challenge was to track down a replacement 10-pin connector that is used on the Pick-up version of the cable assembly. I'm happy to report that I was successful! The 10-pin connector that plugs into the rear of the truck (using the protective plastic plate) is an APEX 150 Sealed Connector presently marketed by Delphi, though the documentation shows FCI (there has been quite a bit of consolidation in the connector market). See page 10 in the
Delphi APEX Connection systems Catalog. What we need is a 10 Way Male Housing (54241000), enough pins to stuff the conductors of interest and a few plugs to fill the unused positions.
Here's a list of the parts and a source for each:
- OEM Camera - Part #56038978AL - (Tasca) - you can also find these on Amazon, eBay, etc.
- 10'&Camera to Chassis-Cab cable Part #68200274AA (Tasca) or 30' Camera to Chassis-Cab cable Part #68239372AA (Tasca).
- Protective Tailgate Wiring Kit Part #68149689AB from (Tasca). This is the same 'kit' that comes with a new pickup. Though it is intended to cap the unused cables when the tailgate is off the truck, one connector can be used on the camper when off the truck and the plastic plate is used with our new cable to provide a clean, finished install.
- Connector Housing - Apex 150, Male Housing, 10 ways - #54241000 - Mouser 694-54241000-B
- Connector Pins - APEX 150 MALE 20-22GA Tin #13624759-L - Mouser 829-13624759-L
- Connector Plugs - APEX 1.5MM SEAL PLUG #54241629 - Mouser 649-54241629
- Terminal Extraction Tool Part #54241678) Tool - Mouser 649-54241678. I neglected to order one of these. I used a paper-clip instead.
I was also able to find instructions (
FCI Apex Connection Systems Guide) to assemble and dis-assemble these connectors (see pages 19 through 21), of course, not until AFTER I figured out at least one way NOT to dis-assemble these connectors!I purchased a few connector housings, pins and plugs to allow for some trial and error. Had I been bold, I could have used the 10-way connector provided in the "Protective Tailgate Wiring Kit" and only purchased the 6 pins required, but with Murphy's Law and all ...
I purchased the 10' cable from Tasca. BTW - I don't have any affiliation with Tasca, it's just where I happened to find what I was looking for. That being said, I was (and am) totally happy with their service. The product descriptions on their web site leave a bit to be desired, but the part numbers did the trick. The chassis cab end of this cable used a separate wire to connect the cable shield to one of the pins:
After cutting off the stock connector, I elected to gather-up/twist-together the shield wires and connect them directly to one of the pins:
Note: at this point (or before attaching the pins), one could route this cable through a hole no bigger than the cable itself!
I crimped using a universal crimping tool I have and followed-up with solder. I assembled the pins in a new housing and attached to the Protective Tailgate Kit plate:
I found the connector pin definitions by following the (rather cryptic) selections on the
Mopar Connector Repair Kits web site using the particulars for my truck - 2014 RAM D2 3500 Pickup for the new connector and DD 3500 Cab Chassis for the pre-existing 6-pin connector on the purchased cable. I was unable to copy/paste links to the individual drawings, so here are some screen-shots.
This is the 6-pin Jumper Cable Connector (i.e. the stock 6-pin connector that I replaced):
And here's the connector of interest (the new 10-pin connector installed in the plate that is normally connected to the tailgate):
Note: using the 30' cable, one could add a camera to the back of a trailer. A project for another day!
For completeness - here's the pin definitions for the Camera connector:
And that's it! For the camera mount, I elected to use a piece of 2" PVC pipe, which I capped and installed using 2 hose clamps attached to a piece of 2" x 1/8" aluminum bar stock which I attached to the underside of my Fox Landing on my Arctic Fox 990. I fashioned an adapter plate for the camera out of the same 2" bar-stock to mount the camera inside the pipe:
I stacked 3 pieces of 2" x 1/8"; aluminum to make a complete bracket - but I ran out of file upload storage to post a photo :-(
The center plate is shorter and fits between the 2 hose clamps. The hose clamps pass through gaps at either end of this shorter, center plate. The plate next to the pipe is the same length as the space between the end-caps on the PVC pipe to keep everything captured. The outer, longer plate attaches to the camper. I installed the end-caps using #10 sheet-metal screws rather than glue - partly so I could service the camera if the need should arise and I didn't want the housing completely sealed - as these things tend to fill full of water due to temperature cycling.
I was unable to post a photo of the final result due to file upload limitations - so it goes.
I still need to go back and reroute the cable a bit, but it works pretty slick. The height is close to the OEM location and it's centered. I was able to adjust the angle to keep the guidelines level in the camera display and have the 'red' guidelines line up with the back of the Fox Landing. When the Fox Landing is in the down position, the camera is tucked neatly out of harms way and out of the weather.
The 3D printed box design provided by 'poinrobe' may be a cleaner/smaller solution, but I was already on a roll.
Finally - I recently learned that the Camera Source sells a complete
2013+ Ram Camper Camera Kit, Plug & Play Commercial Grade Cam kit for those not inclined to go through this much trouble.
I hope someone finds this useful!
-Kevin