Installing a backup camera, couple of questions

[bvz]

I just installed a backup camera on my '13 hatch.

I managed to get the wires from the camera into the hatch, through the rubber grommet thingy into the body of the car, under the C-pillar, and along the rubber weather stripping to the front of the car.

I still have a couple of questions (I'm not much of a car guy, so please excuse the basic nature of these questions):

1) Where should I tap into the reverse light wire? Should I do it inside, under the left rear hatch interior panel? Or should I do it "outside" under the light housing?

2) If I should do it inside, how do I get the left rear hatch panel out? I have looked around this forum and it appears that I should be able to just pull it out, but I am having absolutely no luck with that. I have removed the upper C-pillar interior panel, removed the bolted on cargo tie down, and then started yanking on the left rear hatch panel. But aside from a few clips near the edge of the hatch opening, the panel refuses to budge. There is a bit of "seat" still attached to the panel next to where the rear seats fold down, and that part seems firmly anchored. It also says "airbag" so I am reluctant to pull too hard.

Thanks!

 

[bvz]

Ok, as far as I can tell, in order to remove the left rear hatch interior panel I would have to:

1) disconnect the battery
2) remove the seat bottom cushion
3) remove the rear side bolsters that hold in the air bags
4) remove the center bracket holding in the rear seat backs
5) remove the rear seat backs
6) remove the rear plastic interior panel

All just to wire in a backup camera? Seems excessive.

Anyone else know of an easier way? I'd really appreciate it because this seems to be more than I'm willing to do.

 

[bvz]

Ok, I gave up trying to remove that panel and just poked the wire through the rubber grommet that allows the other wires to the taillights to pass through. I made the connection on the "outside" of the vehicle (under the tail light housing) rather than behind the plastic interior panel.