Did this a few months back but as I now have a regular supply of handles with camera thought it time to entice you all....
As you know the D4 comes with a reversing camera option, same tailgate handle as the D3 but with a fitted camera. There are some that have fitted their own camera to D3 handles but if you want a slightly easier option or want the factory fitted look I think this is the best way
The D4 handle I got came in Nara Bronze, this wasn't a problem though as once I'd removed the existing handle (see the ladder fitting instructions on OwnerInfo if you are unsure how) it was a simple task to swap over the handle covers, there are just 2 screws and a few clips holding the cover on
The D3 handle comes with a 4 way connector for the power and switch, the D4 one comes with a 6 way connector - the two extra pins are for the camera power
Obviously the D3 has a 4 pin socket so in order to fit the new handle with camera I pulled the 'guts' out of both swapping the switch and all the wiring (for the switch and number plate lights) over. If you spend a few minutes looking at it is easy to work out which cable ties to cut and where to use a well placed flat blade screwdriver to lever the parts out
I cut the two wires for the camera power from the D4 plug and fitted the D3 parts into the D4 handle along with the camera. The camera comes with about 6" of cable with a fakra connector on the end, there is an extra channel in the handle for this cable and the power wires to run along.
Unfortunately the other photos I took haven't come out (time for a new digital camera too!) but in brief I got the handle fitted and run cables for the video and power. For power I connected into the +ve for the trailer reversing lights so the camera is powered whenever reverse is selected, I did a bit of testing with a switchable PSU and it seems the camera will work on anything from 5 to 12V . For the video signal I ran RG174 cable right through to the Nav screen and put a Fakra connector on each end and connected the camera to the screen, the Fakra connectors are a pain to get hold of (though I do now have a source if there's enough demand) so you could just cut it off and use a more standard connector instead on the camera end then something like Wiggs has used here on the nav screen end if that's what you intend to connect it to.
I'll take some photos tomorrow of the installed camera and the view it gives on the nav screen via the diagnostic menus - which is currently the only way to view it though I'm looking into alternatives as it could be plugged into any screen. I'm working on a more permanent 'carputer' install so will probably end up integrating it into that along with a few other cameras.
If anyone wants a tailgate handle with camera they are £200 + P&P (£10 in the UK)The End
14th Dec 2009 9:21 pm
fade2grey
Member Since: 06 Sep 2008
Location: Reading
Posts: 304
looks great, would be fab if there was a way to have the screen select the camera input when you put it in reverse. - I'm guessing thats the way it was intended to be used 56 HSE
Yes, the screen has the input and diagnostic tests for it but even if enabled in the CCF there doesn't seem to be a way to get it to automatically display. I guess as it was never fully implemented LR didn't finish the softwareThe End
14th Dec 2009 9:47 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
Already had my D3 rear handle fill with water and b*gger up the tailgate operation.
When they changed the handle they also swapped over my original handle cover [cos it's silver] so it just shows it can be done!
But one issue though!
This handle unit was changed in June [now for the second time] because of water ingress.
Even so, I had the mechanism freeze on me the other morning.
So that says water is still getting into the unit.
AFAIC, this appears to be the main reason why tailgates fail to open.
So how will this camera unit stand up to water ingress ?
Very expensive I reckon, unless LR fix this problem.
Sorry if I've just chucked a 'spanner in the works', but that's how it is.
Going into dealer tomorrow [for a no cost fix afaic].I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
The camera itself is a sealed unit and has a waterproof connector so it should be fine
By doing this mod you'll end up with a spare switch so with a spot of soldering you could replace it yourself if needs be in future
Ron, I'd check if the rubber cover for the switch is seated properly, the rest of the switch is sealed but if it gets past the cover it will lead to corrosion. As the cover is the bit you actually touch to operate the switch it could be possible to dislodge itThe End
14th Dec 2009 10:14 pm
kernowexpeditionaryforce
Member Since: 15 Jan 2009
Location: Kernow
Posts: 329
just a quick idea for Rev cam auto switching....
NavTV make an aux input lead for the disco3 - i think (but please check first!) that the input is switched on/off by a rocker switch....
how about using that for the camera input & replacing the rocker switch with a relay triggered from reverse signal?
might be worth some investigation....
EDIT.....
just checked navtv site - their product works differently, must of been the celcius part i was thinking about, (no longer available!)
Last edited by kernowexpeditionaryforce on 14th Dec 2009 10:22 pm. Edited 1 time in total
That would work, unfortunately the price of the NavTV makes it an expensive optionThe End
14th Dec 2009 10:18 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14368
Can the camera be fitted on its own or do you need to change the whole inside gubbins ? ...ie if i had a D4 camera ?G4 Gone ...but not forgotten
14th Dec 2009 10:18 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15214
Slimer wrote:
Ron, I'd check if the rubber cover for the switch is seated properly, the rest of the switch is sealed but if it gets past the cover it will lead to corrosion. As the cover is the bit you actually touch to operate the switch it could be possible to dislodge it
Thanks Si, I'll remember that in case they want to charge me tomorrow. I was a normal heterosexual chap, but in these new woke awakenings I now identify as a Wardrobe.
Wiggs, the D4 handle and camera housing are moulded to fit each other, I'm sure you could make the camera fit a D3 handle but it take a bit of work. Anyway, I'm fairly confident you'll find the camera alone will cost you more than I can sell you both for The End
14th Dec 2009 10:29 pm
NeilD
Member Since: 01 Dec 2008
Location: Sunny Surrey
Posts: 4845
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
. For the video signal I ran RG174 cable right through to the Nav screen and put a Fakra connector on each end and connected the camera to the screen, the Fakra connectors are a pain to get hold of (though I do now have a source if there's enough demand) so you could just cut it off and use a more standard connector instead on the camera end then something like Wiggs has used 
