How to Install a Camera on the Rear Windshield?
2 Answers
When installing a rear camera on the vehicle body, you first need to install a bracket and then secure the camera onto the bracket. After installing the camera, a display screen must also be placed inside the car to show the images from the rear of the vehicle. Generally, it is not possible to install a camera on the rear windshield of a car because this would require drilling holes in the windshield, which would weaken its strength. However, for some vans or buses, holes can be drilled into the body to install a camera. More details are as follows: 1. Most family sedans or urban SUVs install the camera on the trunk lid, usually near the license plate light. Cameras are not installed near the rear windshield. 2. Some professional off-road vehicles or rugged SUVs may have cameras installed above the trunk lid, but these cameras are usually factory-installed and not added later. If you need to install one afterward, holes must be drilled into the body, which can lead to rust around the holes over time and may even cause the metal to corrode completely. Therefore, it is not recommended to add a camera to the rear windshield of a car. 3. If you need to install a rear camera during regular use, it is advisable to go to a professional institution and preferably use products from well-known brands.
I just installed a rear windshield camera by myself yesterday, which was quite interesting but not that easy. First, you need to pick a suitable camera, like the rear lens of a dash cam, preferably small in size to avoid blocking the view. Cleaning the windshield is crucial—use alcohol wipes to polish the adhesive area, or it won’t stick firmly and might fall off. Position it in the upper center, not too low to avoid interfering with the rearview mirror. Use double-sided tape or a suction cup for mounting; suction cups are handy for temporary adjustments. Wiring took the most time—I used a plastic pry tool to tuck the cables along the headliner into the weatherstrip, hiding them all the way to the trunk to connect to the cigarette lighter power source, preventing exposed wires from getting pinched or broken. Test the camera angle to ensure the image is straight, and check the clarity during nighttime driving. DIY can save you a couple hundred bucks on installation fees, but be careful not to force and damage the trim. If you can’t figure it out, it’s quicker and easier to just visit a repair shop.
