Using OEM rearview mirror wiring

Brand new to the site and I would like to know if you can use existing mirror wiring harness to wire in an after market backup camera? Figured it would be easier to start and end there. Then again I believe I would still have to run the wire for the camera on the license plate. Don't want to tear into harness and ruin it.

 

what year truck? Early models (2007-2009) had an optional tailgate camera that had a flip-down screen in the overhead console and/or to a navigation head unit. This was in vehicles with the factory JBL audio only (bluetooth phone and steering wheel audio). In 2010, that changed to being a screen integrated into the rear view mirror (or into the Nav head unit), but most of the wiring didn't change inside the cabin. In 2014, everything went to an in-dash screen in the head unit regardless of nav or not, and the camera feed at the mirror/headliner was eliminated.

 

I havent seen many of the early trucks that had the rearview mirror/overhead console backup camera. It is possible your truck is prewired for this but in my opinion it is pretty rare.

I would be starting this project under the assumption you are going to have to add all the wiring for the camera. As @RainMan_PNW mentioned above, the year of your truck is a big factor.

I am not sure what your exact goal is but if you were just looking for a quick easy way to see behind you when backing up a cheap wireless backup camera might be good enough. I have never used them but install would be alot easier and it might be a simple enough solution to solve your problem. Almost all the ones I see operate on an aux display you mount in the truck.

Rohent R3 HD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera with 5'' Monitor License Plate Hitch Rear View Camera System for Cars,Trucks,Campers IP69 Waterproof Front/Rear View Switchable 8 IR Night Vision

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Roh...t=&hvlocphy=9027895&hvtargid=pla-570384398113

 

It's been awhile, so I don't have the details off the top of my head. But I was definitely able to use the existing wiring harness for the "park assist" flip down screen. My truck didn't come with the screen or camera, but the wiring harness was still there. I got a camera that plugged into the open harness connector on the rear of the truck, and I remember I connected to the other side where it came out in the ceiling liner. Again, I forget the details at this moment. But I did it. And I probably compiled the information from other people's experiences online.

This was the OEM "park assist". I'm not advocating getting it. It's just reference to show the wiring harness that would be utilized.
https://www.yotadirectparts.com/oem...2W6QhUeGJO-uP1z5PISeMx9r21v0aQ2MaAnxREALw_wcB

 

If you search this forum you’ll find people who have used adapters that plug in to the mirror and provide a USB port for power.

 

I think in 08/09 it was fairly common in the limited trim. I had it in my 2008 SR5 that had the JBL system, which basically had the truck a prewired for everything that the Limited offered.