First Mod I'm thinking about is adding a rear view camera to my D2. I've seen the units you can add above the license plate, but I've got a better idea. I'm thinking of taking the external D1 License Plate/Door Latch assembly and by removing the keylock it would give me a perfect place to mount a camera. It would look OEM, but have a camera in it. Also it mounts up exactly like a D2 unit.

Second Mod is taking the 4 Hella Light Pod off of an 03-04 Jeep Liberty Renegade and mounting it on a D2 between the roof rails. I bought one for 50.00 in mint condition at a local pick n pull and it matches the curve of the D2 roof very well and it fits between the 99-02 roof rails perfectly with maybe 4mm on each side. It of coarse would require several holes in the roof to mount it, but I'd seal it properly and have a rally looking light pod just below my roof rack. It's made by Hella & the 4 lights are adjustable.

Jeep Liberty Renegade Aux Driving Light Pod

Just a couple of idea's that have been floating around in my head.

 

Love the camera idea. I've considered one myself, but that idea with the D1 assembly is killer. I definitely want to see those lights once you get them mounted up, too.

 

Yeah the D1 key hole should fit an aftermarket camera very well and look completely OEM. The light pod fit well when I test fit it. Gap on the roof was small & it wasn't even bolted down. I plan on attacking that when I drop the headliner to redo it & check my sunroof drain/seals. Will keep the thread updated as I go.

 

I installed a rear view camera that is hooked up to my double-din head unit. With the limited sight, because of the back seats and tire, I felt it was needed badly. On mine I drilled a hole in the rear bumper, powered it by tapping into the rear power supply right behind the rear seat. Then ran the video cable up where the tail light wiring goes into cabin and under the door sills to the head unit. A lot of people will power the camera by way of reverse lamp, which is fine. My head unit has a wire that hooks up to to reverse signal wire near the inside fuse box that switches view to rear camera. It also has a camera view option to view rear view while driving to check on trailer or whatever(this is the reason I hooked up to switched power instead of reverse lamp). I installed mine where I did because it makes backing up to a trailer a breeze, and It has plenty of viewing area. I attached pic of the camera mounted and the head unit.

 

That is nice! How do you find the proper DIN adapter for the D2 to whichever unit that you are trying to fit?

 

Unfortunately, The D2 will only accept a single din head unit, without extensive modification to the center dash fascia. I got one off Ebay to modify, got a Pioneer double din install kit from Staples. I used a hacksaw blade to cut the area above the A/C controls and adhered the double din cage to the cut-out. Then cut out the area below where the A/C controls were to lower the controls.

 

My rear headrests are removed, improved rear my visibility to comfortable level and they're stored in vehicle if additional passengers come aboard. Camera mounting idea is excellent if you feel it's needed. Have no personal experience with using that type of camera and installation would will require some expense and time for the mod. My solution to rear visibility issue on my F250 prior to having cheap cameras available was removal of tailgate, always look back and no known issues other than possible slight mpg decrease.

Your idea of using a lousy Jeep Renegade bar mounted through roof is inviting leak problems down the road. If a rusty beater why not but if otherwise other options may be a better choice.
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Calling the "hella light bar" lousy is funny... Land Rover Aux lights are made by "hella" and so are most of our relays/electronics. So you're calling a LR lousy as well.

I am fully aware of the mounting issues with water (unlike LR & their leaky sunroofs...) 6 bolts sealed, and a rubber grommet sealed.. I'd mount it like it was mounted on the "lousy" Jeep (which umm wasn't leaking..)

The pod does't look like crap, and it's not crappy quality (or I'd never think of doing it). Bet if it was mounted on a Bowler Wildcat we'd all want one..

 

The bar does look much nicer sitting on yours than on a Renegade.
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Hella should have tried to sell it to LR vs Jeep lol. It really does sit on the D2 well.