Brush guard vs front camera (2024 Ram 2500 Laramie)

[Donw78025]

New member here. Considering a brush guard due to deer on roads here in the Texas Hill Country. I'm a little concerned about how a brush guard will affect front facing camera. Has anyone had any experience with a brush guard vs. front cameras?
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Nick]

If you can't move it maybe you can modify the guard . I know that area has tons of deer ! Personally I would rather have the camera blocked then a deer wipe the truck out . Good Luck !

 

[Donw78025]

Yep, good thoughts, thnx!

 

[John Jensen]

New member here. Considering a brush guard due to deer on roads here in the Texas Hill Country. I'm a little concerned about how a brush guard will affect front facing camera. Has anyone had any experience with a brush guard vs. front cameras?
Thanks in advance for any help!

Most guards have a removable screen section to allow the front camera to do its job. I went with a Rancher for my 2020 3500 because, IMO, it had the strongest mount and did not need over-the-bumper brackets. However, it does not have a removable camera section, so I used the bed camera outlet to install a camera on the front of the grill screen. Here are the screenshots.
Pic #1 - The OEM front camera view:
Pic #2 - With a camera mounted on the front of the guard

 

[Donw78025]

Most guards have a removable screen section to allow the front camera to do its job. I went with a Rancher for my 2020 3500 because, IMO, it had the strongest mount and did not need over-the-bumper brackets. However, it does not have a removable camera section, so I used the bed camera outlet to install a camera on the front of the grill screen. Here are the screenshots.
Pic #1 - The OEM front camera view:
Pic #2 - With a camera mounted on the front of the guard

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just had the Ranch Hand installed. It does have a cutout area for camera. Really like idea of camera on grill guard, maybe will do that in future..

 

[usernamechecksout]

Most guards have a removable screen section to allow the front camera to do its job. I went with a Rancher for my 2020 3500 because, IMO, it had the strongest mount and did not need over-the-bumper brackets. However, it does not have a removable camera section, so I used the bed camera outlet to install a camera on the front of the grill screen. Here are the screenshots.
Pic #1 - The OEM front camera view:
Pic #2 - With a camera mounted on the front of the guard

Any chance you have part numbers and/or pics of the camera mounted on the grill guard?

 

[John Jensen]

Any chance you have part numbers and/or pics of the camera mounted on the grill guard?

2020 Ram 3500 - Installing a front camera to front of Rancher grille guard.
Leave front camera in place and use cargo camera connector.
Cargo camera connector is orange connector (5th connector from
the left when looking at the connections). If a c argo camera is
important to you, use thhe front camera connector

I used these components:

1 - Mopar 360 Degree surround camera - 68417514AA
2 - Rancher grille camera mount and cable
Rostra Ram 360 Degree Surround Camera Relocation Kit # 250-8665
mnrelectronics.com/2019-ram-360-view-camera-relocation-kit-w-o-camera-part-250-8665/

3 - OEM camera module connection cable to extension cable in item #2
Bingfu Fakra Z Female to Male Vehicle Antenna Extension Cable
amazon.com/Bingfu-Extension-Compatible-Navigation-Telematics/dp/B07M7TG6V2?th=1

They also have a kit that includes items 1 & 2 above.
www.mnrelectronics.com/2019-ram-360-view-camera-relocation-kit-includes-camera-part-250-8699/
I did not order that because I found the camera elsewhere for a lot less money

 

[usernamechecksout]

John, this is beautiful! Thank you greatly! This is all exactly what I was looking for. I cant even tell you how excited I am that all of this put together!

 

[John Jensen]

John, this is beautiful! Thank you greatly! This is all exactly what I was looking for. I cant even tell you how excited I am that all of this put together!

Glad I could help

 

[dieselscout80]

2020 Ram 3500 - Installing a front camera to front of Rancher grille guard.
Leave front camera in place and use cargo camera connector.
Cargo camera connector is orange connector (5th connector from
the left when looking at the connections). If a c argo camera is
important to you, use thhe front camera connector

I used these components:

1 - Mopar 360 Degree surround camera - 68417514AA
2 - Rancher grille camera mount and cable
Rostra Ram 360 Degree Surround Camera Relocation Kit # 250-8665
mnrelectronics.com/2019-ram-360-view-camera-relocation-kit-w-o-camera-part-250-8665/

3 - OEM camera module connection cable to extension cable in item #2
Bingfu Fakra Z Female to Male Vehicle Antenna Extension Cable
amazon.com/Bingfu-Extension-Compatible-Navigation-Telematics/dp/B07M7TG6V2?th=1

They also have a kit that includes items 1 & 2 above.
www.mnrelectronics.com/2019-ram-360-view-camera-relocation-kit-includes-camera-part-250-8699/
I did not order that because I found the camera elsewhere for a lot less money

Does your grille guard interfere with your front parking sensors?

 

[John Jensen]

Does your grille guard interfere with your front parking sensors?

Yes. I have disabling caps on the ones affected

 

[Levi18]

I have a 2024 Ram 2500 laramie and am thinking of doing the same thing. I found this option from Ranch Hand that lets you keep the tow hooks, all of your bumper sensor, and your adaptive cruise control/front camera. I do think there is some trimming involved to make the brackets fit, but this is the option I was considering so I could keep all the sensors. Figured I already paid for them, might as well get use out of them.

2019 - 2024 RAM 2500 & 3500 Legend Grille Guard - GGD191BL1C

Ranch Hand Legend Grille Guard specifically designed to fit the 2019 - 2024 RAM 2500 & 3500.

www.ranchhand.com

Levi

 

[John Jensen]

I have a 2024 Ram 2500 laramie and am thinking of doing the same thing. I found this option from Ranch Hand that lets you keep the tow hooks, all of your bumper sensor, and your adaptive cruise control/front camera. I do think there is some trimming involved to make the brackets fit, but this is the option I was considering so I could keep all the sensors. Figured I already paid for them, might as well get use out of them.

2019 - 2024 RAM 2500 & 3500 Legend Grille Guard - GGD191BL1C

Ranch Hand Legend Grille Guard specifically designed to fit the 2019 - 2024 RAM 2500 & 3500.

www.ranchhand.com

Levi

Ranch Hand is a great guard, I have on my 2016 Ecoiesel. It would have been my first choice for my 2020 3500 but I didn't like its mounting design. I especially didn't like the two top mounting straps over the bumper or the associated trimming. Thinking Ranch Hand needs those top strap mounts because the main lower mounts alone are not strong enough. IMO the Rancher's mounting is cleaner and appears stronger.

Regardless of what brand you decide, there are brackets and wiring harnesses available to move the bumper sensors to the guard and remain in operation

 

[OLEJOE]

I installed the Ranch Hand Legend grill guard on my 22’. Looks good and pretty solid. The lower brackets that mount to the frame use 1 of the tow hook bolts on each side which makes the tow hook bolt short. Does anyone know what size the tow hook bolts are that have the 24mm head on them? I should have checked before I reinstalled them but didn’t. TIA

 

[John Jensen]

I installed the Ranch Hand Legend grill guard on my 22’. Looks good and pretty solid. The lower brackets that mount to the frame use 1 of the tow hook bolts on each side which makes the tow hook bolt short. Does anyone know what size the tow hook bolts are that have the 24mm head on them? I should have checked before I reinstalled them but didn’t. TIA

16MM

 

[OLEJOE]

16MM

Thank you sir. I’ll have to see if I can locate some. I tried to look them up but they only show a part number. Thanks again.

 

[OLEJOE]

In case anyone else gets in this predicament, the factory bolts are M16-1.5 x 78mm.

 

[OLEJOE]

I wound up using a 5/8-18 x4” bolts. Only .004 difference in bolt size but had to change the nuts and add washers. All grade 8 hardware.