Access to the tail light from inside the cab

[LJDC]

I’m breaking down and installing a rear camera. I”m thinking of running the wire from the license plate, behind the tail light, and then into the cab. But I don’t know how to get the wire into the cab. I need to tie into the reverse light anyway to trigger the camera.

I could run the wire underneath and then into the engine compartment and through the firewall. But that seems like it would be a little less direct.

Is there access from behind the driver’s tail light into the cab? If not, should I drill a hole for access?

 

[C.J. Roberts]

If you look at the back of the tub above the driver's side tail light, you'll see a wire bundle going down into a grommet to the underside of the tub. This wire bundle is your tail light/ reverse light harness. The wire bundle runs along the side of the tub, down by the sport bar, under the driver's door and on to the front. You can run the camera wire up through that same grommet and zip tie it to the bundle.

 

[AndyG]

A tire plug “rasp” tool
Is a great way to penetrate those grommets and not get into other wires or tear it.

 

[LJDC]

If you look at the back of the tub above the driver's side tail light, you'll see a wire bundle going down into a grommet to the underside of the tub. This wire bundle is your tail light/ reverse light harness. The wire bundle runs along the side of the tub, down by the sport bar, under the driver's door and on to the front. You can run the camera wire up through that same grommet and zip tie it to the bundle.

That is literally exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks!

 

[mjonesjr84]

All of the rear lighting wiring runs through the cab from the engine compartment. The only thing you will have to secure the wire to on the frame is the fuel lines or rear brake lines. The wires will be much more protected if you ran them through the cab.

Look at the upper rear corner of the driver side tub and you will see where the rear light wires exit the body. Pull the inner fender out and look up and you will see the wiring.

 

[LJDC]

All of the rear lighting wiring runs through the cab from the engine compartment. The only thing you will have to secure the wire to on the frame is the fuel lines or rear brake lines. The wires will be much more protected if you ran them through the cab.

Thanks. I have other wires secured to (I believe) the hard break lines.

Look at the upper rear corner of the driver side tub and you will see where the rear light wires exit the body. Pull the inner fender out and look up and you will see the wiring.

Is there a good way to pull away (or even temporarily remove) the fender liner without destroying it?

 

[mjonesjr84]

Thanks. I have other wires secured to (I believe) the hard break lines.


Is there a good way to pull away (or even temporarily remove) the fender liner without destroying it?

Remove the tire, then remove the plastic push pins. It's fairly easy to get in/out without damaging it.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Thanks. I have other wires secured to (I believe) the hard break lines.

This might be a good time to relocate those.

 

[SSTJ]

If you look at the back of the tub above the driver's side tail light, you'll see a wire bundle going down into a grommet to the underside of the tub. This wire bundle is your tail light/ reverse light harness. The wire bundle runs along the side of the tub, down by the sport bar, under the driver's door and on to the front. You can run the camera wire up through that same grommet and zip tie it to the bundle.

For my reverse lights, I needed to run wires to the bumper via the passenger side of the cab, and so I drilled a similar hole on that side. Just another option for the OP to consider.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

For my reverse lights, I needed to run wires to the bumper via the passenger side of the cab, and so I drilled a similar hole on that side. Just another option for the OP to consider.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't make sense to me. You've already got reverse lights in the factory wiring. Why not just splice into that? Even if you're running a second wire for a seperate light, it only makes sense to follow the factory harness.

 

[SSTJ]

I'm sorry, but that doesn't make sense to me. You've already got reverse lights in the factory wiring. Why not just splice into that? Even if you're running a second wire for a seperate light, it only makes sense to follow the factory harness.

Sorry: I was running wires to aux lights on my rear bumper, but I wanted them wired and switched separately from my factory reverse lights. And for those wires to get there, the path along the driver side of my cab was beginning to overflow with wire and cable for some audio and ham radio accessories.

 

[B1Toad]

Which back up camera are you using and does it have a monitor or are you using a touch screen head unit?

 

[LJDC]

This might be a good time to relocate those.

Why? Everything is in loom and seems to be doing fine, tucked well up away from rocks and such. Is it a heat problem?

 

[mjonesjr84]

Why? Everything is in loom and seems to be doing fine, tucked well up away from rocks and such. Is it a heat problem?

Heat and the environment. There is a reason Jeep ran the wiring inside.

 

[LJDC]

Heat and the environment. There is a reason Jeep ran the wiring inside.

Looking again, I can always add some of the heat-resistant tubing that I ran the air lines through for the compressor, or the reflective tape that Jeep now uses for wires near the engine.