Tailgate off -> no camera -> bright blue screen on 8.4" radio display :(

[lpennock]

If you are able to pin connectors I can tell you how to add a camera pigtail to the dummy plug you are currently using to cap the existing wiring. I did this on my 2018 to provide a 3.5mm dc plug and rca plug to use the cheap license plate back up cameras you can get off amazon/ebay. It isn't hard but you have to disassemble the dummy plug add 4 pins to it and reassemble it. I would take me a bit to get all the information gathered up so unless you are comfortable and have the tools I don't want to spend the time.

 

[lpennock]

You should also be able to use the Cab and Chassis kit with bed off removal pigtail.
Pickup Camera Adapter 82215671AB
Camera 56038978af
10ft cable 68200274aa

 

[pbzzz]

uhhhhh . . . suggestion . . . just put the tail gate BACK ON . . .

 

[silverPolarBear]

Conclusion to this project. I located a 3rd party camera company that sold a kit with camera. Bought a suitable kit and fabricated a nice bed-rail mount for it. This suits my purposes. It may also suit yours.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2955940-truck-backup-camera-relocation-mount-bed-rail#profileId-3312567

 

[silverPolarBear]

uhhhhh . . . suggestion . . . just put the tail gate BACK ON . . .

 

[silverPolarBear]

You should also be able to use the Cab and Chassis kit with bed off removal pigtail.
Pickup Camera Adapter 82215671AB
Camera 56038978af
10ft cable 68200274aa

Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[LBussy]

I had the same experience with that "plug" as you did. I recently had a local radio shop add the cargo camera (on the 3rd brake light) (2023 3500 Laramie), so there are parts out there for it. I don't recall what they said they had to do, but there were a couple of tries at different parts. It did take an ECU dongle-type fix to update the (I forget what it's called, body control unit?) to make it work, but it all functioned on the display.

I have not removed my tailgate since doing this, so I cannot say what effect, if any, it had, but I'll follow your thread to see if you get that figured out and how. Why I had my tailgate off, coincidentally, right after a trip with my 5th-wheel RV is not important right now.