[flash]

This is to plug the key hole in the rear of the car. Since many of us use remote openers, we don't need the keyhole anymore. This cleans up the look back there. Totally reversible mod though.

This is really no big deal, and I have to thank<b> midblu</b> for it. He did it on my car about 5 years ago. I then started working on stuff in the trunk, and removed it because my battery is there, and I had to open the trunk without battery power. I had put it away, and had forgotten all about it until a couple of months ago.

This should take no more than a few minutes if you are any good at painting. Other than paint, cost is about 29 cents.

Here is what it looks like when it's done:
   

Here is the secret:
   

Step 1: Run your happy butt down to Home Depot and pick up a set of Price Pfister faucet buttons. That's right. I'm talking about those little plastic inserts that say "H" or "C" (you get to choose which one you think is best for your car - lol)

step 2: Paint it with whatever color paint you choose.

Step 3: Stick it in the hole.

Step 4: Stand back and laugh at how simple it was.

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[Lonestar968]

Very cool idea, I like it!!

I had my "hole" filled in when the car was painted a few years back. It looked great at first but it became apparent the filler/process/prep they used was not up to par and it's starting to show a hairline crack in the paint around some of the hole diameter.

I've been watching the guys here on the forum installing double din touch screen stereos and with all the available options these units come with, it seemed like a no-brainer to take advantage of the no-longer-used hatch key hole and install a rear-facing camera for parking etc. It shouldn't be a huge issue finding a camera that will fit. Should take minimal effort to work up an adapter to fit it all in the hole and run the plumbing. Has anyone done this before?

Whatcha think?!

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[flash]

should work fine - i don't know yet if anybody has done it - i plan to add a camera, but just haven't done it yet - i'm looking for one with a zoom feature

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[PorscheDude]

You sure that's not a sphincter mod???

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[biotechee]

Seems like a simple and inexpensive mod...

May just have to do this if I ever get my keyless stuff installed.

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[Lonestar968]

I'm with you, bio, on the keyless mod first. I'd like to be able to incorporate all of the digital whatnots into one event if possible.

I really think the back-up camera will be quite functional once installed. I've seen ads that talk about a camera mounted on the interior rear view mirror that can record a driving session/short road trip. Sounds interesting to me. I would imagine being able to record each trip should be worth something to most people given the cost of insurance these days! It shouldn't be too difficult to continue recording even when the car is parked (ie., in the Walmart parking lot etc) for a short time.

I wonder if there is an iPhone app for THAT!??!!

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[biotechee]

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

BTW- I went to the local Lowes, the local Home Depot AND the local Ace TrueValue - none have the Price Pfister buttons! Damnit!

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[flash]

really? i'll take a look the next time i'm there - these are pretty standard and i see them all the time

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[biotechee]

I'll gladly send you some cash to cover it if you can find them....

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[968TDG]

Regarding the camera mod, I'm one of the guys who has installed a double din, and it came with a back up camera which I have not installed yet. I have installed the keyless mod as well, so the keyhole could be a great spot for it. The reason why I haven't installed the camera yet is that the one supplied with the unit was the most gaudy thing ever, a big chromed tube thing that you mount between the license plate screws, and I couldn't make myself do it, so i took the thing apart to see how small the internal components were. I'll look around for a smaller unit, If i can find one, I'll definitely mount it in the keyhole...now that just sounds dirty.

-Phil

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[Lonestar968]

Awesome! I'm VERY interested to know which unit you installed and what you like/dislike about it.

Please post pics when you get the B/U camera installed!

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[SILVY968]

Jim,

I found them in a 3 pack at Home depot. I will send you one if you send me a PM with your address.
Brian

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[biotechee]

Thanks Brian... PM on the way!

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[Ryan]

Just to be clear......the lock was removed first and that leaves a hole in the car where this plug is inserted. Did you have to fill the "H" or "C" that was on the plug? This is not clear.

There is a plug made that plugs into the key slot if you wanted to save your lock.

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[flash]

the one i have allows the lock to remain - in fact i did nothing whatsoever beyond merely popping it in

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[SILVY968]

I just got a set of PF plugs. The H or C are cast onto the rear of the plastic, so the outside is completely smooth.
No need to fill.

My PF plug was slightly too large to go into the key hole opening. A bit of sanding on the "fingers" of the plug made a better fit.

Also, the newer plugs have "fingers" that must be deeper than flash's ones. I had to loosen the 2 bolts that hold the lock onto the rear section, allowing it to move inward a bit, thereby allowing the plug to push in flush.

A bit of tinkering, but not hard or time consuming.
It just goes to show that nothing stays the same.
Brian

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[SILVY968]

Has anyone installed a back up camera through the trunk lock opening?
Might be fun to do, now that I realize that I do not need a trunk lock at all.
Brian
P.S. I think I recall the hole being 13/16"

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[edm]

I have a license plate camera hooked up to my flip top Panasonic but I cannot upload the pics, Can someone assist, this way you have an idea of the setup.

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[marazas]

It is probably the nicest place to have back camera but I am not sure if it is the best for parking. I would like to see the corners and in that case I would need a very wide angle cam. I think the best way would be to hide it under the spoiler on the hatch above the third stop light.

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[flash]

i have a camera next to the license plate in the denali - a decent backup cam, but too wide angle for a rear view distance cam

i'm not sure the lock hole in the 968 will work - there isn't a lot of depth available there, as the mechanism needs to remain - anybody looked at that yet?

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