DIY DIY: OEM Backup Camera Install With Auto Anytime Camera

[jdubh]

Man, I installed the backup camera tonight and I'm kind of disappointed. The picture is fine, but I thought it would be viewable in the up position and the out position...it's not. And the thing that bugs me the most about it when flipped down I have to lean to the right a bit to see it. My wife is thrilled since she won't have to spend 10m trying to get me lined up to the trailer hitch, but I'm somewhat disappointed.

I think I want to do an always on mod but I'd like to find a factory button to use. The buttons in the tundra seem the same size as the buttons in my tacoma and on the sequoia i test drove...any suggestsions for a button?

The other thing I am considering is getting another camera from another manufacturer, mounting it on the back of my camper and running an extra line up beside the pigtail. Order a second OEM tailgate harness, wire it into the original harness with a switch and then mount the connector on the hitch. When I connect my trailer, flip the switch, plug in the new camera, go up front and hit the always on button and boom...got a view of what's behind my camper, no need for tow mirrors. Anyone try something like that?

[konscience7]

great post!!!

[jliltd]

Originally Posted by jdubh

The other thing I am considering is getting another camera from another manufacturer, mounting it on the back of my camper and running an extra line up beside the pigtail. Order a second OEM tailgate harness, wire it into the original harness with a switch and then mount the connector on the hitch. When I connect my trailer, flip the switch, plug in the new camera, go up front and hit the always on button and boom...got a view of what's behind my camper, no need for tow mirrors. Anyone try something like that?

Not a bad idea. A couple of key points. The Toyota OEM camera runs on 5-7 volts while most aftermarket cameras run on 12VDC. So you will either have to find a camera that uses the lower voltage, buy another Toyota OEM camera for the trailer, or use the OEM 5-7volt power signal to activate a relay sending 12V to the aftermarket camera via a seperate 12VDC source.

I've been installing backup cameras in other vehicles recently and haven't found any with a better field of view than the Toyota OEM. This includes cameras designed for commercial and heavy-duty use and those with night-time enhanced images with LED illuminators. I even installed a whole commercial-grade system in an orchard tree shaker. Toyota spent a lot of time on their camera and it's direction of aim. Very useful placement and great camera.

[jondrew]

Originally Posted by jdubh

Man, I installed the backup camera tonight and I'm kind of disappointed. The picture is fine, but I thought it would be viewable in the up position and the out position...it's not. And the thing that bugs me the most about it when flipped down I have to lean to the right a bit to see it. ?

I know what you mean, the picture and position of the flip down screen is dissapointing. Now that I've had a few days of use under my belt, I realize that the backup cam is pretty much strictly for making sure there is nothing directly behind you. I am able to back up to other cars and objects with an inch of clearance, and while I have not tried hooking up my boat yet, I can certainly see where this will be an improvement over the "touch" method.

I dont get why I would want the camera on other then when backing up. I probably wont waste much time worrying about that one.

[pedro66]

Originally Posted by jdubh

I think I want to do an always on mod but I'd like to find a factory button to use. The buttons in the tundra seem the same size as the buttons in my tacoma and on the sequoia i test drove...any suggestsions for a button?

If you have the flip down screen do the mod I detailed you have to flip down the screen anyway why add another switch

[webster156]

Just installed it yesterday, pretty simple plug-n-play. Very happy with the extra field of view, especially with little kids.

For $333.00 and an hour of time install, its well worth it to me.

[jdubh]

Originally Posted by jondrew

I dont get why I would want the camera on other then when backing up. I probably wont waste much time worrying about that one.

I'm going to hook in a camera on the rear of my RV and was planning on leaving it on at all times while towing so I could see behind me and not have to use those cheap clip on tow mirrors.

[jliltd]

Originally Posted by jondrew

I dont get why I would want the camera on other then when backing up. I probably wont waste much time worrying about that one.

There are times when it's really nice to be able to turn on the camera when not in reverse. How about to check your load on that trailer (did that front tiedown strap really come loose and is flapping in the breeze?). Bumper to bumper traffic. Combine with side mirrors during passing for lane change (works great). Keep on while changing between "R" and "D" while maneuvering vehicle to line up trailer. Really tight turns while trailering to see jacknife angle. Actually seeing that dinky trailer your cheap realative bought that cannot otherwise be seen over the monsterous Tundra tailgate. Make the mother-in-law dizzy watching asphalt zipping by backwards at 80mph. Check to make sure the license plate lights still work to avoid a PC traffic stop.

Notwithstanding the above, don't forget you have one more geeky thing to play with in the cockpit. Cool.

[LCBrewing]

Originally Posted by jliltd

There may be a third way to connect to the reverse camera harness that's the easiest of all. Fellow TS member jamesryanb found that Toyota recently updated it's non-premium Nav installation instructions revealing a camera plug (JK1) behind the upper glove box. See the following link to the pdf he has provided:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...tundra_nav.pdf

I hope the next DIY modder tries to find and use this plug and reports back here as to whether the pdf is correct. Of particular interest would be the availability of the mentioned "Camera Adapter Wire Harness" allegedly available at your local Toyota dealer. That would be sweet.

I'm itching to do this mod - I've had the truck just 8 days and I've already picked up the switch at radio shack. I'm planning on mounting it next to the "tow/haul" switch in one of the two blanks there on my particular model, since I'll most likely use it in situations where I'm using the tow/haul switch anyway.

I like the idea of tapping into the camera plug behind the glove box, but would like to make sure I've got the right wire first. Anyone have the pin-out diagram or wiring diagram of connecter JK1? I only want to cut one wire, and don't want it to be the wrong one (or deal with sending 12V to the ECU by testing things out first).

[jmaldo]

I got my camera kit in the mail today. Look forward to installing it this weekend.

[jmaldo]

I must say the camera installation and handle change out was a breeze. I was like wow what an easy project. Untill I tried to reinstalled the head unit. I have had one hell of a time getting it to fit right. I have stripped the damn screws so I have decided to STOP for the night, try and get new screws tomorrow and come back with a cool head.

Any idea what the hell I am doing wrong? The rear of the head unit (the thingy that bolts to the headliner) just wont line up in the rear, I am way right. WTF?

[jliltd]

Originally Posted by jmaldo

I must say the camera installation and handle change out was a breeze. I was like wow what an easy project. Untill I tried to reinstalled the head unit. I have had one hell of a time getting it to fit right. I have stripped the damn screws so I have decided to STOP for the night, try and get new screws tomorrow and come back with a cool head.

Any idea what the hell I am doing wrong? The rear of the head unit (the thingy that bolts to the headliner) just wont line up in the rear, I am way right. WTF?

By "head unit" do you mean the factory Nav head unit? Maybe the overhead monitor unit. Or maybe the overhead headliner console. When I hear "head unit" I think of the stereo radio in the dash.

Assuming you are talking about the overhead console, do you have the long one that goes into the back seat area or the shorter one that stops in the front row seat area right behind the microphone port? In either case offer to buy a friend some cold beer if he/she helps hold it in place while you insert a float or awl in the holes to line them up before installing the torx screws. The long console has two more torx screws than the standard-length console. Good lighting and some helping hands help a lot. And use an old-fashioned manual driver, not a power driver or cordless drill with a bit (power tools in the interior are a quick way to ruin a lot of hardware).

If you are instead talking about one of the two monitor units (fixed or drop-down) I can only address the fixed unit, which merely snaps in place where the sunglasses holder normally is. Mine never really fit flush too well and I eventually sold it and replaced my sunglasses holder while installing factory Nav.

Good luck. I trust you next posting will be good news after sleeping on it.

[jmaldo]

Sorry, yes I meant the overhead console, the long one. I am installing the flip down lcd.

I am hoping I will get a chance during work tomorrow to get one of my guys at work to help me install it. 4 hands better then 2.

[tonylop33]

Thanks to all who posted. I did the anytime mod. Thanks again.

[capritoms]

I just ordered my kit and can't wait to get this installed!! I would have never been able to figure out how to do these things to my truck without the great DIY threads on this forum. This place is way more user friendly as far as sharing info than any other forum I have been on.