So here is the deal. I went and bought a parking sensor kit on Amazon b/c I wanted to be a little more sure when backing out the beast now that it has a topper on it.

Issue is the 22mm Holesaw they included in the kit will only cut soft materials. The steel rear bumper on my ST, laughed at that piece of sh-i-t once I started drilling. With in 5 seconds the pilot hole bit had already dulled it self.

So I decided to stop trying before I even made it throught the metal b/c I knew the hole saw would sh-i-t the bed one it got to the bumper.

Now does anyone know if a bi-metal hole saw will do the trick? and any recommendations? I am thinking I will just grab a 7/8ths Dewalt hole saw bit and should be good to go. (7/8 is just slightly bigger than 22mm, so this won't screw anything up size wise)

Anyone who has drilled their steel bumpers please chime in. thank you

 

Harbor freight has those metal drill bits, I've never used them, but one would think they should be able to do the job if it's only 4 holes, and they are cheap. I've always wanted a back up camera but never knew where to put the monitor.

 

I don't think he bought a camera, I think he just got one of those sensors that beeps louder as you approach objects/vehicles etc. Either way, touche

 

Any decent drill bit should work. The bumper is made of like tin foil anyway. The bits you get with those kits are pure chinese crap.

 

It needs 7/8th size holes? all the ones I see are only 1/2 to 3/4 lol
I have a backup cam, but it hasnt worked in months Ive been to lazy to deal with my Radios issues, So I plan to go back to a stand-alone screen with a custom made suction mount.
Id say youd be better off with a 7/8 DRILL bit, not hole saw. Then start off with a smaller (pilot) drill bit, like 1/4 or so, Then use the 7/8
I bet a 7/8" bit isnt to wasy to find, altho I got a few lol

Either that, or a Dewalt or other name brand Metal Hole Saw.

 

Touche, Its funny when the vehicle has a louder Backup alarm then the sensor at max so Its useless, like most the Ford Transits my work has lol

 

Get a good quality step bit, They kick ***

 

Good stuff one and all. I have a harbor freight down the street add it to my list of chores. To clarify it is the sonar beepy deal. No cameras for me. Not trying to bling up the audio system wit a video screen, so just going with a solid distance finder. Stay tuned I could not find a write up anywhere for a Dakota so I will put one together.
Cheers

Ryan

 

good luck. i would love to do this but i hate beeping haha

 

The unit I found comes with a visual screen that allows me to turn off the beeping. Has I pic of backside of car and shows four sonar fields and when they are interrupted. This was the selling point that and it was $32 shipped.