So with my recent acquisition of a 2009 for my DD, I decided quite quickly I would replace the stock radio with something a bit more......... 2021. I opted for a Pumpkin AA0512B. Please note: I AM NOT affiliated with anything mentioned here. I don't get paid, I'm not compensated, I receive no sales commission. After looking over their choices of backup cams, I moved on to something a bit better, I chose a NAKITA * ). I was swayed because it's got a metal housing, not plastic. Ordering both, they arrived within a week.

While USPS and FedEx were at work, my first step was to verify the existing wiring. I pulled the old head out and took a look at the wiring harness.




I took note of the pin numbers and insulation colors.




Once I had the factory wiring nailed down securely, it was simply a matter of waiting for the two boxes to arrive. The camera arrived Tuesday, the head unit yesterday afternoon. So I took advantage of a gentle June evening to start in. A trip to the local O'Reily's netted an adapter, and with my two diagrams, I made short work of making a dogbone.

 

Then it was time to tear into the physical dash. I calculated the new head would fit, but with some slight modifications. And I was correct. I needed to cut out the factory opening both at top and bottom. A Fein multitool make quick work of it.







With surgery out of the way, it's time for a test fit.





So far, so good. Before it gets too dark, I take it out, plug in the wiring harness and loosely place the dash in place for a quick power-up test.




Affirmative! We have correct wiring! Lemme check it with the included trim ring.




It fits. It's functional. Time to screw it down.

 

That was the end of my work last night. Before the heat of the day started in this morning, it was time to move away from the dash and start in on the appendant wiring. On the driver's side, I install the wi-fi antenna, simply wedging it between the OhChit handle mounts and the column edge. I figured once the trim was back in place, it won't go anywhere.




The external microphone was temporarily clipped to the sun visor......




,,,,,until the trim was reattached.



The GPS antenna was simply dropped into the bottom left of the windshield, and I don't have a photo of that 'cuz it's too boring.

Once all three items were in place with the trim back on, it was time to start making tracks under the dash. First stop, a 'service loop' in the old fuse-box location. This little spot is handy as all get-out. I placed the power supply for my dashcam in there as well.




Once I get them over to the center of the dash, I tidy them up and bundle them out of the way.

 

I normally just finger-tighten screw-on antenna connections, but I didn't want to risk the wi-fi and GPS cables working loose, so I gave both of them a little love-snug.





I connect to my house's wi-fi and check for connectivity. Yep, I can download apps, so wi-fi works.




Time to test the Bluetooth and making hands-free calls.





A----ffirmative! Time to take a break, then tackle the toughest part of this install..... the back-up camera.

 

I had to think long and hard about the camera itself. I first considered the old tried-n-true license place device. But since the plates on a Ranger are on the bumper, I thought that way too low. The perfect spot would be on the tailgate itself. Good thing the camera came in several days before the head unit, as this allowed me to plan a course of action and get a lot of the leg-work done ahead of time.

I think current Ford pick-em-ups have a camera built into their ovals, but my tailgate wouldn't have the accommodations for one. No problem... I'll just make my own. First step: Remove the badge.




I used a plastic trim tool and sacrificed a body spreader to slowly peel away the badge. Once it finally let go, I was left with a mess on the tailgate.




But with some careful picking and pulling.....




.... it will come off.

 

"Well, shucks!" I thought. Why not just leave that half-discolored badge off and mount the camera directly into the center hole?




After thinking on it overnight, I decided against that as the tailgate had beet repainted and it would stick out like a sore thumb. Especially with whatever I could cobble together to fill the other two holes.

Time for Plan B. That was to forget purchasing a replacement badge and simply refinish the existing one! So out came the brillo pads and soft scrub. A few minutes of burning elbow grease, and it's all cleaned off.

 

But before I repaint it, I need to machine it to accept the threaded stud on the back of the camera. If a perfect world, I would measure the badge and drill a hole smack-dab in the center. But because of the length of the camera's stud, I would need to drill a hole in the tailgate. So I opted for another path... one that will send those with OCD into a tizzy.

If you'll look at the three holes in the tailgate, you'll see the center one isn't,.... well..... centered. It's off to the right and a bit lower. But, it IS large enough for the cameras' mounting stud to clear.




OK, so..... why not drill a hole in the badge that lines up with that hole in the tailgate? Sure, the camera won't be perfectly centered, but neither am I. So off to the drill press I go.




One more step before I start refinishing the badge. Since it's originally secured in place with a two-sided adhesive that would support a small jetliner, I didn't want to do the same thing in case I ever need to remove the badge again. My solution was to thread the two remaining alignment studs on the back of the badge to accept a couple of nylon washers and wing nuts.





I chose nylon because it won't rust. With all the machining on the badge complete, it's time to give it a showroom finish.





Nothing fancy. Just a $5 rattle can of gloss white from the hardware store.



Yeah, I hear ya. The hole ain't centered. Well, too bad! It's MY tailgate. And the truck is WHITE. Last thing I want is rust streaks below the badge next year. I realize it's an '09, but still, it's MY choice.

Once the badge was done the other night, I simply had to wait for the head unit to arrive. And it did yesterday!

 

Now I can leapfrog past the wi-fi/GPS/microphone install that happened this morning, and start work on the most tedious and dirty part of the job.... installing the camera and it's wiring.

Step 1: Get into the tailgate. I remove the access cover for the handle and hold the badge/camera up and thread on the washers and wingnuts.



In order to get enough room to get my fat paws down to where they need to go, I have to disconnect the release rods on the tailgate and swing them out of the way.




Before I mount the camera to the badge, I use some scrap EPDM (rubber roofing) to make a seal.




Once the badge/camera is installed, it's time to head forward with the wiring. My first step is to make the transition from the tailgate itself to under the bed. Knowing there's going to be movement and possible pinching, I double-down on the protection for the cable. I first sleeve it with some coolant overflow tubing.




Once I thread it out of the tailgate, I put some split loom over it as well.

 

Once out of the tailgate and down by the hitch, I route it up into the passenger brake light area so I can pick up the 12v from the back-up lamp.



Then it's the dirty job to get it from there up to the cab. With plenty of black zip-ties in my hands and crap falling in my eyes, I secure the cable, inside of split loom, making my way forward.





Once into the cab, I head over the fuse box and behind the glove box.




Once the RCA connector is plugged in and the appropriate wires connected, it's time to backtrack to the tail lamp assembly and give the head unit the 12v signal from the backup lamp.

Some careful cutting, stripping and heat shrink, and it's all wired up!




A quick test to make sure it works (engine off, key in run, parking brake on, transmission in R), and I have a working back-up cam!!!!





Woot woot! The tough part is over! Now time to install the USB cords (no photo, I just routed them behind the glove box for now), and button everything up! Once more test before I re-affix the bezel.....




Houston, we are GO for landing@!

The 4x4, power outlet and airbag light harnesses are reconnected, the antenna cable is put back into it's place on the new head, snap it in place and replace the two screws!

 

Finé




I was honestly thinking I could recess the new unit back in, but it juuuuust a tad too tall. Given the compound curves in the bezel, I didn't feel comfortable attempting to modify it any further. So it does 'stick out' a bit. But I don't mind.


And the camera on the badge?







All in all, I'm quite pleased at how well this all came out. It did take some head-scratching, and working with the badge took far more time than I anticipated, but the project is done. I now have a back-up cam, something I've never had in any of my other 4 Rangers. I don't need any CDs for my music... it's all of 2.9gb on a 64gb card. I can make hands-free phone calls. I can use Osmand+, my preferred GPS app (it works offline, so I won't be using any phone data).

It will take some time to further customize the head, especially change the launcher, install my preferred music app etc. I did order an OBD dongle that can communicate with the head unit, but that hasn't arrived yet. Right now, I'm happier than a drunk dog in a fire hydrant factory!

Thanks for coming along with me on this little adventure. Hopefully, I've helped you out if you've decided to tackle a similar project.




Now I'm off to see what other fun apps I can install.......

 

Very nice work. I also installed a Pumpkin stereo into my 03. I ended up going with a license plate backup camera for mine though. I do like yours, but the 03 doesn't have the emblem on the tailgate like yours. I'm not sure if I want to mount it all on the back, by itself.

 

Dude, this is a very detailed and well put together write up. Great job! Nice and clean.

 

Where did you enter the cab. I have a 2000 Ranger and I have added a backup camera and can't find a way into the cab.

 

I created one by drilling a hole in the floor between the passenger seat and the door pillar. Primed and painted it and used a rubber grommet.

 

Thanks I found a hole with a grommet under the carpet on the passenger side floorboard.