Dimmable rearview mirror with built in backup LCD screen

[Ron C]

here is the pinout of the GM mirrors used (spec. gentex 657), in case others are interested.

Ron

 

[jmm121783]

Ron did you go ahead and do this? I am SUPER interested in doing this as well, you would need the stock reverse camera no? (does that come with a rear bezel piece or how/where are you getting video from?)

I have a 2006 Rearview in my car and have been too lazy to check/swap the pin outs so that it auto dims, has compass etc. So if you could include the model # for the rear view with built in LCD, I'd owe you even more hahaha. Id love to have this feature, just too cool to "not have" and after you showed me the auto start addition (my god what a joke, too easy plus got two new keyfobs!) I definitely owe you a beer or two, or four, or...... cheers!

 

[Ron C]

Ron did you go ahead and do this? I am SUPER interested in doing this as well, you would need the stock reverse camera no? (does that come with a rear bezel piece or how/where are you getting video from?)

I have a 2006 Rearview in my car and have been too lazy to check/swap the pin outs so that it auto dims, has compass etc. So if you could include the model # for the rear view with built in LCD, I'd owe you even more hahaha. Id love to have this feature, just too cool to "not have" and after you showed me the auto start addition (my god what a joke, too easy plus got two new keyfobs!) I definitely owe you a beer or two, or four, or...... cheers!

Hello Joe, *lol* on the beer.

Yes I am doing this mod, it's pretty easy if you already have the cam, or the cam and Nav radio. You wouldn't really need a Nav radio, because the mirror just takes an RCA cable for video input. It seems that the gentex mirrors were very common on pretty much all GM vehicles, so there are plenty of them (used) around. You can get a "grade A" one, working with warranty for approx $100. (and probably less than that, but I like it when a seller can help you with an install, which costs a few more $$$ when buying it)

My 2013 SSV actually is wired for it already, similar to the DIC panel, the "Onstar mirror" was not installed to make the vehicle less expensive (a brand new GM OEM Onstar mirror is somewhere around $500-$700).
So the wiring is there, the plug/harness is lying on the trim right next to the front overhead console. What is missing is the RCA cable, but you can get one, with the right leads that connect to the plug for about $15.

You either connect the camera RCA cable to it, or if you already have the camera hooked up to the NAV radio, use a Y splitter to hook it up.

I don't see why another camera would not work, unless it has a weird resolution. (I believe, not sure, but the mirror LCD is 800x600). I use the "stock" camera, or to be more precise, the GM OEM after factory/market camera. It is the same camera, just different wiring harness that comes with it. Factory the camera is plugged into the harness in the tail gate, after "market" the OEM camera harness (power and video) needs to be routed to the front, from the back, tailgate. (some hook power up to the backup lights, but that causes the screen to go black for a few seconds when changing to/from reverse to anything. Also, when changing gears from Park to Drive, the shifter goes through Reverse, the backuplights will flash briefly, meaning your camera gets "jolted" a bit, which is not a good thing for electronics in general)

Anyway, I think the mirror install is pretty easy if you already have a camera and NAV radio installed, that's one reason why I did it too, it's easy, not that expensive and ... just because I can. The other reason is, the "GM Onstar Mirror" also has an automatic dimming feature, which I really like, all my other cars (except the 79 CJ5) had it, and I miss it ... someone coming from behind with their brights on is annoying.

The 'stock' OEM camera indeed comes with a bracket, factory it is "sonic welded" into the rear applique, However I cut the hole in the Applique, cut of the "weld posts" and put it in with a few blobs of JB weld. (which is better than regular epoxy). The camera is held in place with two screws and a plastic shim/spacer, so it cam be removed.

The model number of the mirror is a "Gentex 657" 'style' mirror. GM had so many of them, that they used several GM part numbers. GNTX-657 GM part #: 25794381 / 20945097 / 22915244

and there are probably more part numbers for the same thing, but different revisions

So... Detroit ay? I was there many years ago a few times, What's with all the OSB there?

Ron

 

[CrashTestDummy]

(sigh) Now I'm going to have to go out into the heat and see if our '10 PPV has the harness. I'd _really_ like a rear view camera on this thing, since it's difficult to see all around back there. I'd also like to get one for our '12 9C1, since you can't see _anything_ out the back of that thing!!

Thanks for the info, though, this helps get me closer. Just have to look for the harness.

 

[Ron C]

(sigh) Now I'm going to have to go out into the heat and see if our '10 PPV has the harness. I'd _really_ like a rear view camera on this thing, since it's difficult to see all around back there. I'd also like to get one for our '12 9C1, since you can't see _anything_ out the back of that thing!!

Thanks for the info, though, this helps get me closer. Just have to look for the harness.

The PPV/SSV probably does not have the backup cam harness, you'd need to run the RCA and power leads to the front.

Also, the heat might be a little annoying, rain is just a PITA

 

[jmm121783]

The PPV/SSV probably does not have the backup cam harness, you'd need to run the RCA and power leads to the front.

Also, the heat might be a little annoying, rain is just a PITA

This is the truth on many fronts....The heat is a SOB,I have the rear view harness MINUS the RCA and I definitely wanna keep it looking as stock as possible and use stock parts when they are high enough quality. Hopefully I didn't misread what you said but I'm thinking if the RCA jack was standard in your 13 they might've had a upgraded harness with rear view camera mirrors in SUVs becoming pretty standard equipment. Me being an earlier body year model have the harness that plugs into the back of even an earlier model Tahoe (my rear view is from a 06, doesn't have any function tho, same connector).

I'm going down this rabbit hole, I think I'll be going deep, this might end up in the Stereo section of the internet with a damn quote for some upgraded components and a nice amp....damn you Ron. I like you and will supply more than "a" beer for ya

Add it to the list.....

 

[Ron C]

This is the truth on many fronts....The heat is a SOB,I have the rear view harness MINUS the RCA and I definitely wanna keep it looking as stock as possible and use stock parts when they are high enough quality. Hopefully I didn't misread what you said but I'm thinking if the RCA jack was standard in your 13 they might've had a upgraded harness with rear view camera mirrors in SUVs becoming pretty standard equipment. Me being an earlier body year model have the harness that plugs into the back of even an earlier model Tahoe (my rear view is from a 06, doesn't have any function tho, same connector).

I'm going down this rabbit hole, I think I'll be going deep, this might end up in the Stereo section of the internet with a damn quote for some upgraded components and a nice amp....damn you Ron. I like you and will supply more than "a" beer for ya

Add it to the list.....

*lol*... I am pretty sure that if your Tahoe/Sub standard came with a camera, it wouldn't be wired using coax/rca, but just wired directly into the harness. I think in the harness, a bunch is just standard, but never hooked up (DIC, mirror, audio control etc)

the SSV I have, I bought it because it had very low miles, was pretty new and not too many mods. I use it as a weekend/roadtrip vehicle... so just adding some stuff to make it nice, it's kinda a hobby.

Ron

 

[jmm121783]

ok I knew the brain wasnt working 100%, yep build into the harness makes sense, you provided the wiring diagram above. I havent consulted that at all in any depth, it is late. I really wanna take the Tahoe up Charleviox, MI tomorrow to this crazy "luxury" camping AirBnB the lady found...want to test the 5100s out on some two tracks, but my AC isnt working, has a full charge and just cycles on and off constantly. The forum search is difficult to use for sure when adding "too much info" so I'm wondering if it is just the pressure switch or a bad compressor

 

[jmm121783]

and it does NOT blow cold at all

 

[kbuskill]

and it does NOT blow cold at all

If you are absolutely sure the Freon is fully charged and the compressor is short cycling then it's probably a bad low pressure switch.