Hi,

Has somebody retrofitted a front camera on a Ford Focus MK4.

I have seen couple of videos on Youtube about them retrofitting the front camera but i have no clue whatsoever on where to buy it, how to install etc..

Hope for a response from someone who's done it or have done it on other models such as Fiesta.

There already is a thread on the forum for this exact thing.

 

Yeah, the idea was there but haven't got the time to look into it. My idea was trying to fit a IPMB like the Kuga (NL) (I think).

Last week I also found this:

 

On 1/8/2024 at 9:50 AM, Jayas said:

My idea was trying to fit a IPMB like the Kuga (NL) (I think).

Hi!

I studied this topic to the bottom! IPMB can not be simply retrofitted into Focus or any other car which do not suppose to have the front camera. This is due to a fact, that IPMB is connected to HS1-CAN, which gives him some information about steering wheel angle and some others too. Sync 3 is connected to HS3-CAN. The problem is solved in GWM (gateway module, where we connect OBD), which moves around messages from IPMB to Sync and vice-versa. Cars without front camera feature have this functionality disabled in GWM software. 

Solution #1, create simply CAN birding device, which will bypass GWM, it is not complicated software and there are dozens of HW platforms like Arduino which can handle this. There are just a few CAN messages, most of them I have identified.  I haven't tried this since I have moved to solution #3

Solution #2, "fmods.net" shown in the movie. I don't like this solution for couple of reasons. It requires Sync jailbrake, which sometimes make more problems. Solution does not give the fully functional and configurable behaviour. Support of this forum is horrible bad, posts are waiting a week to be approved by admin.  I'm using 100% AndroidAuto, this requires to many operations to enable the front camera. It must be quick, like a real button.

Solution #3, create a dedicated hardware device which will manage the front camera via LIN bus and pretend to be IPMB for Sync 3. This device is connected to HS3-CAN. I left the rear camera under control of BCM. It requires just one bit to be changed in Sync 3 AsBuilt. This device triggers Sync to show camera sending messages over CAN which normally IPMB would send.

So, my main goal was recreated 100% functionality which is in Kuga 3. The most important for me was to be able to see 180deg view, with Kuga 3 OEM camera. Have it triggered quickly with the button  (I have installed the HUD button for that but I plan to add a panel from Kuga 3 with a dedicated button)

Finally, I have managed to do this. I think, this can be used in other Fords with Sync 3, other systems may require analysing CAN bus, 180 deg view might be loved especially by Mustang owners 😉 

 

 

@piotrmodthat seems really nice! I probably never would have figured it out and did not really have any time left to try 🙂 third option seems nice especially with the dedicated kuga button. I found a trim some time ago but could not figure out if it would fit in my focus

2 hours ago, Jayas said:

but could not figure out if it would fit in my focus

That was the easiest task! Just found a trim from "lower grade" Trend Focus, it has simple radio without a touch screen and more buttons. I just replaced the black part around buttons, not the whole trim with metal imitation. Buttons are from Kuga. 

One thing I have failed - making Kuga camera button working over CAN bus. I tried all possible settings for APIM, analysed and compared tones of AsBuilts from Kuga and Focus. Just couldn't find button signal on the CAN bus. So, went for plan B - sniff the button panel LIN bus. My hardware do it with ease, and it is just one more cable.  In Kuga, the camera button is not used by APIM, it is just send to IPMB, which asksAPIM to show video. That's how it works.

Know, I think my software is quite good and I'm driving for month with it. Works great. If you would be able to solder the board yourself, I can share the design and the software image. I just can't find some time to publish it.  

 

@piotrmodReally amazing what you did! Kudos!

Yes I would really like to give it a go, solder myself and put on the image there myself. Would need some tips for the wiring though I think 🙂 

@piotrmod Kudos!!!

Would you be able to send me the info too? I'm an electronics engineer and have a 3D printer and some experience with it...

I would also love to know any details you're willing to provide on the research and development you made!

On 10/1/2024 at 11:27 AM, piotrmod said:

Hi!

I studied this topic to the bottom! IPMB can not be simply retrofitted into Focus or any other car which do not suppose to have the front camera. This is due to a fact, that IPMB is connected to HS1-CAN, which gives him some information about steering wheel angle and some others too. Sync 3 is connected to HS3-CAN. The problem is solved in GWM (gateway module, where we connect OBD), which moves around messages from IPMB to Sync and vice-versa. Cars without front camera feature have this functionality disabled in GWM software. 

Solution #1, create simply CAN birding device, which will bypass GWM, it is not complicated software and there are dozens of HW platforms like Arduino which can handle this. There are just a few CAN messages, most of them I have identified.  I haven't tried this since I have moved to solution #3

Solution #2, "fmods.net" shown in the movie. I don't like this solution for couple of reasons. It requires Sync jailbrake, which sometimes make more problems. Solution does not give the fully functional and configurable behaviour. Support of this forum is horrible bad, posts are waiting a week to be approved by admin.  I'm using 100% AndroidAuto, this requires to many operations to enable the front camera. It must be quick, like a real button.

Solution #3, create a dedicated hardware device which will manage the front camera via LIN bus and pretend to be IPMB for Sync 3. This device is connected to HS3-CAN. I left the rear camera under control of BCM. It requires just one bit to be changed in Sync 3 AsBuilt. This device triggers Sync to show camera sending messages over CAN which normally IPMB would send.

So, my main goal was recreated 100% functionality which is in Kuga 3. The most important for me was to be able to see 180deg view, with Kuga 3 OEM camera. Have it triggered quickly with the button  (I have installed the HUD button for that but I plan to add a panel from Kuga 3 with a dedicated button)

Finally, I have managed to do this. I think, this can be used in other Fords with Sync 3, other systems may require analysing CAN bus, 180 deg view might be loved especially by Mustang owners 😉 

 

 

Hi, can you provide any information or files for the 3d printed case? I am new to the 3d print topic, but I think it would be very helpful to hear about your approach in more detail. My aim is to produce a case that fits into the grille of Focus vignale.

formodFVCcaseTitanium.zip

The camera can not fit nicely into Titanium grill, so I cut its edges and some other useless pads. Maybe for Vigniale it will be better but I doubt. This case is for "reduced" Kuga camera. You can see it here:

15 hours ago, piotrmod said:

formodFVCcaseTitanium.zip

The camera can not fit nicely into Titanium grill, so I cut its edges and some other useless pads. Maybe for Vigniale it will be better but I doubt. This case is for "reduced" Kuga camera. You can see it here:

Thank you very much for the files. Was it a big effort, to prepare the 3D print? I had seen your case and it looked very professional.

Unfortunately, Vignale is more complicated. There is the wave structure and no horizontal line and it will be more difficult to prepare a special camera case (s. first photo). I was hoping I can use parts or at least the idea of how Ford placed the front camera in the Kuga Vignale (s. second photo). But obviuosly the whole grille there was produced with an integrated camera case, so you couldn't even buy that case to use it in a Focus Vignale. 

Hi, still didn't have the time to do this project...

I hope I have some time in the next few weeks
Is it correct that the rear camera is connected to the new PCB and that the original lines (to 15 and 14 in the BCM) have to be cut?

I'm asking you this question because you said that 'the rear camera is still managed by the BCM'.

On 1/27/2026 at 11:49 AM, Jayas said:

Hi, still didn't have the time to do this project...

I hope I have some time in the next few weeks
Is it correct that the rear camera is connected to the new PCB and that the original lines (to 15 and 14 in the BCM) have to be cut?

I'm asking you this question because you said that 'the rear camera is still managed by the BCM'.

Did you watch the video from the youtube channel my-ford-focus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5BRJ9RaUeQ)? There he opened the black shielded cable and cut the white-green / brown-violet wires which are also marked in your screenshot.

yes but this is without the extra module from @piotrmod :-)