Yes, alpine has the same lever assembly setup with microswitch, it's just a wider assembly with the different securing methods as it is for the B8 that has a different layout.
What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?
- Thread starter Dani_B19
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Preparing my gloss black eBay specials ready for satin tomorrow
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I've looked at these but the camera can't be removed from what I can see so I won't be able to use the empty boot for my alpine camera.
They look great, do they fit ok James, I've not ordered mine yet, too busy with cameras etc.
I'm sure you can find a solution , if you don't want to cut up your tailgate trim, buy a used on to work on.
I have seen them also before I fitted mine, I'm thinking if the camera is fitted it must be removable.
As you no the picture shows saloon version.
I think get an OEM one and work with that, I assume there is enough depth for the handle behind the trim,
you could make a retaing bracket for the handle using screws instead.
here's the heart of the problem Richard.
B7 assemby is a full lenght unit .
The Alpine assemby that is supposed to be for 2007 onwards is in fact for B8 platfrom and use indivdual assemblies, hence why the alpine is a direct swap with the B8 .
the B8 assembly is the same overall width front to back as the B7 assembly but it doesn't factor in swapping the whole assembly which is what is required, you cant just swap over the internals.
B7 assemby is a full lenght unit .
The Alpine assemby that is supposed to be for 2007 onwards is in fact for B8 platfrom and use indivdual assemblies, hence why the alpine is a direct swap with the B8 .
the B8 assembly is the same overall width front to back as the B7 assembly but it doesn't factor in swapping the whole assembly which is what is required, you cant just swap over the internals.
Without having all the parts infront of me its difficulty gauge, I still think it's better to get another B7 full length number plate light assembly
and work with that.
Then cut, glue make brackets etc so it fits, I'm sure you have a workshop more than me, just a garage and using outside.
and work with that.
Then cut, glue make brackets etc so it fits, I'm sure you have a workshop more than me, just a garage and using outside.
Thanks for the reply Richard, I think I've cracked it.
I was going to get a good used plate but they are bonkers prices even 2nd hand, it is the same unit on similar year A3's too but still a lot for an old bit of plastic.
Anyway, the old grey cells have been working in overdrive this evening and I think I have come up with a solution that makes use of the outer section of the alpine cover in conjunction with the original full-length plate.
The sizes work out ok and the location looks to be good, just need to do a dummy fit to see.
I was going to get a good used plate but they are bonkers prices even 2nd hand, it is the same unit on similar year A3's too but still a lot for an old bit of plastic.
Anyway, the old grey cells have been working in overdrive this evening and I think I have come up with a solution that makes use of the outer section of the alpine cover in conjunction with the original full-length plate.
The sizes work out ok and the location looks to be good, just need to do a dummy fit to see.
My plan is this.
On the alpine outer section which is the part that holds the camera, i will cut it down.
In the pics below I will cut the camera section off along the blue line on the front which will leave a nice single-cam mount with a nice flat sealing edge allround.
The same cut will effectively be just in the right position on the underside, that way I will end up with an ideal mounting pod.
Then on the main plate on the tailgate, cut out a section on plate retainer and move the fixing point closer to the edge of the catch assembly.
Cut out a small aperture around one of the mounting bolts to facilitate the pod through the panel.
This way the camera mounting pod is flush looks the same as the main plate and the Alpine camera can be mounted.
well that's the plan and if it works that will be great , if not well we won't mention this subject ever again..lol
On the alpine outer section which is the part that holds the camera, i will cut it down.
In the pics below I will cut the camera section off along the blue line on the front which will leave a nice single-cam mount with a nice flat sealing edge allround.
The same cut will effectively be just in the right position on the underside, that way I will end up with an ideal mounting pod.
Then on the main plate on the tailgate, cut out a section on plate retainer and move the fixing point closer to the edge of the catch assembly.
Cut out a small aperture around one of the mounting bolts to facilitate the pod through the panel.
This way the camera mounting pod is flush looks the same as the main plate and the Alpine camera can be mounted.
well that's the plan and if it works that will be great , if not well we won't mention this subject ever again..lol
Yes, those used parts are very expensive, I checked.
I think what you are thinking looks good, you will need a dremel I guess, that's what I would use,.
So you cannot get the Alpine handle to fit without cutting it, I thought it just needed a bigger hole, but I'm not looking at them
like you can.
It will work what your planning, if no other option.
I think what you are thinking looks good, you will need a dremel I guess, that's what I would use,.
So you cannot get the Alpine handle to fit without cutting it, I thought it just needed a bigger hole, but I'm not looking at them
like you can.
It will work what your planning, if no other option.
Nope that plan won't work, there is a metal plate in the way where I want to cut out a recess, blast it.
back to the thinking cap.
back to the thinking cap.
Here is a picture of my handle, and I have a lock to right aswell so not sure if Avant is alot different but looks to me it will fit.
Attachments
Just one thing I forgot to mention about my camera handle in the picture.
The handle is the same size as the OEM part, but as it has a camera fitted, so the part where you put your hand to open is not as wide and the OEM part.
This is because the camera takes up the last third of the handle.
So you could shorten the length of the handle and add the camera in that space and that way you do not exceed the handle length.
The handle is the same size as the OEM part, but as it has a camera fitted, so the part where you put your hand to open is not as wide and the OEM part.
This is because the camera takes up the last third of the handle.
So you could shorten the length of the handle and add the camera in that space and that way you do not exceed the handle length.
Many thanks for the info Richard, really appreciate it.
Having absorbed all the info I think I only have two options open to me and the Avant if I wish to retain the Alpine camera.
1) I leave it alone and keep the wart sticking out the tailgate, not really ideal
or
2) I purchase one of the generic units such as yours and cut the front of the camera housing and fit my alpine cam inside it.
The Alpine assembly I purchased just won't work out, its the same 110mm long as the b7 Avant/saloon units but wider, well it's the same width as the whole b7 unit so won't be possible to fit it in.
My thinking is that if I cut off the front of one of these units I may be able to fit my cam in place and then seal the joint.
Can I ask a big favour Richard, any chance when you next go out to your car, can you measure the size of your camera mount, pic below.
from edge to edge L/R and Top/Bottom.
I'm kinda hoping it's just a square camera that has been fitted into the unit then the back fixed on.
Having absorbed all the info I think I only have two options open to me and the Avant if I wish to retain the Alpine camera.
1) I leave it alone and keep the wart sticking out the tailgate, not really ideal
or
2) I purchase one of the generic units such as yours and cut the front of the camera housing and fit my alpine cam inside it.
The Alpine assembly I purchased just won't work out, its the same 110mm long as the b7 Avant/saloon units but wider, well it's the same width as the whole b7 unit so won't be possible to fit it in.
My thinking is that if I cut off the front of one of these units I may be able to fit my cam in place and then seal the joint.
Can I ask a big favour Richard, any chance when you next go out to your car, can you measure the size of your camera mount, pic below.
from edge to edge L/R and Top/Bottom.
I'm kinda hoping it's just a square camera that has been fitted into the unit then the back fixed on.
Hi Rob, yes I can, but will be tomorrow now.
You could use your current Audi handle, cut enough off to take your Alpine camera mount and bond to your cut handle.
I would mean cutting your Audi handle but could work.
You could use your current Audi handle, cut enough off to take your Alpine camera mount and bond to your cut handle.
I would mean cutting your Audi handle but could work.
That would be great Richard, no rush as I have other work that needs dealing with before I get back to the old bus.
I’ve got a set of these, had them ages and haven’t done anything with them yet. Definitely need spraying as they are mega glossy. They do look the business though, looking forward to getting them on in the summer
The camera looks fine Rob, mine sticks out a bit but doesn’t really bother me. Resolution on yours looks pretty good too. I remember the fun of taking the tailgate apart to get the cable in, great fun!Really can't be having this wart on the back of my old bus so i'll need to sort out a solution pronto.
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I'm just looking at how the B7 assembly can be modified to accept the newer tailgate catch/camera holder assembly.
maybe some cutting and then some careful rebuilding of the whole assembly to incorporate the alpine switch I have.
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Thought It might look odd with fresh new black satin on the fog grilles and not the main grille
Satin clear coat to fogs and grille
Gloss to frame to finish
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Satin clear coat to fogs and grille
Gloss to frame to finish
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I bet you're getting good at bumper removal now.
It’s been on and off more than the light in our fridge recently
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Had a 4 wheel alignment this afternoon, and it didn't need much adjustment.
the rear was fine and the front offside was a touch out otherwise fine, which was a surprise having not had it checked for some time and several suspension replacement sessions.
the rear was fine and the front offside was a touch out otherwise fine, which was a surprise having not had it checked for some time and several suspension replacement sessions.
All back together
and lcr splitter ordered so bumper may be coming off yet again Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And i see you opted for the silver rings, much better in my opinion, just gives that little bit of a classy contrast.
Look great James, the fog grilles look allmost OE fitment, i best order a set now.
Surprised at how well they fitted for an eBay special
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I was in 2 minds ,I’d had black rings for a while so opted for a change plus I’d got the chrome polish out and they’d come up sparkly clean
Think the black ones can look as though you’d had your badge nicked from a distance and I agree about the contrast ..draws your eye in to my shiny new grille
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