DIY DIY: OEM Backup Camera Install With Auto Anytime Camera

[LTek1]

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?

J,

I installed a camera on the back of my trailer, and wired it in to the factory harness with a relay. The video connector that came with my camera had some unused conductors, so I used those to apply power to the relay, switching from bumper cam to trailer cam.

That is to say, as soon as I plug my trailer in, the video automagically toggles to the backup cam on the trailer. I also put the any-time switch in the cab. If you have a camper or enclosed trailer, this is GREAT for changing lanes. Especially if you're like me and don't have trailer mirrors.

(Thought about getting mirrors, as I think they look great on these trucks, but I am so spoiled by my auto-dimming memory mirrors, I didn't want to give up those features. The rearview cam makes up for it!)

[jliltd]

LTek1,

Fantastic. That's what the rear cameras are all about. You should get a patent on an trailer camera adapter relay thingy kit. Elegant. Better yet, do a post with photos and some sort of diagram. I like the sound of it a lot.

By the way, I assume your set-up sends 12 volts to the trailer camera even though the OEM is 5-7 volts. It would be especially nice for folks with one or two trailers (I have close to 10 bumper-pull trailers that go on the road, one gooseneck and another 30 steering axle type for farm to market).

Originally Posted by LTek1

J,

I installed a camera on the back of my trailer, and wired it in to the factory harness with a relay. The video connector that came with my camera had some unused conductors, so I used those to apply power to the relay, switching from bumper cam to trailer cam.

That is to say, as soon as I plug my trailer in, the video automagically toggles to the backup cam on the trailer. I also put the any-time switch in the cab. If you have a camper or enclosed trailer, this is GREAT for changing lanes. Especially if you're like me and don't have trailer mirrors.

(Thought about getting mirrors, as I think they look great on these trucks, but I am so spoiled by my auto-dimming memory mirrors, I didn't want to give up those features. The rearview cam makes up for it!)

[tomhole]

Originally Posted by LTek1

J,

I installed a camera on the back of my trailer, and wired it in to the factory harness with a relay. The video connector that came with my camera had some unused conductors, so I used those to apply power to the relay, switching from bumper cam to trailer cam.

That is to say, as soon as I plug my trailer in, the video automagically toggles to the backup cam on the trailer. I also put the any-time switch in the cab. If you have a camper or enclosed trailer, this is GREAT for changing lanes. Especially if you're like me and don't have trailer mirrors.

(Thought about getting mirrors, as I think they look great on these trucks, but I am so spoiled by my auto-dimming memory mirrors, I didn't want to give up those features. The rearview cam makes up for it!)

LTek1,

Would love to get more details on your dual camera mod. That is exactly what I want to do. Right now, I was leaning towards jdubh's solution. I don't understand the relay idea, but really want to. Pics and diagrams (and a club) would be most helpful.

THanks,

Tom

[LTek1]

Okay, I'll do a full writeup when I get home from work this evening. I actually have my relays up in the cab where they toggle not only trailer video to the nav screen, but also trailer audio to the aux input. It's great to be able to hear "Hey wait you are running over my leg!" from in the cab.

[LCBrewing]

So, I gave it a shot - the "anytime" mod, since my truck came with the camera installed. I can't get the camera to come on in the "anytime" mode...but I've learned a lot of things about myself and my truck in the process:
1) I need to practice soldering...and need to grow a third hand. Man, it's been a LONG time since I soldered anything but copper pipe, and it's got a learning curve
2) Heat shrink is a pain in the a**! Either too close and shrinks before you can finish your joint, or you forget to put it on before you make the joint, or if it's big enough to cover the solder joint, then it may not fully shrink around the wire itself. I'm envious of you guys with "picture perfect" joints.
3) I need aligator clips for my multi-meter. Using the probe ends is a PITA.
4) It takes little nerve to pull on some of those pieces until they actually pop loose. Some of them really come out hard. And the sounds they make when they do give way still makes me cringe cause I'm just waiting for one to break. Oh...anyone know where to get some replacement little yellow friction clips? I lost one from the cigarette lighter area somewhere in there...
5) Don't start a project like this on a windy day at 3 in the afternoon - you may run out of daylight, and may see parts flying away on you too (luckily I didn't lose anything)
6) The "blanks" on the truck are actually hiding wiring harnesses - my SR5 Double-cab has the wiring run to the backs of the blanks for
--a) switch to turn on/off the 115V power socket (only installed in CM)
--b) switch to raise/lower back window (only installed in CM)
--c) switches for heated seats (driver and passenger)
7) All of these "pre-wired" blanks are actually keyed to only fit in their designated place.

So, I am 99% sure I've got everything right EXCEPT the connection at the A-pillar. I checked all of the wires in the rear (away from the windshield) plug using a pin and multi-meter, and ended up with two wires that showed +12V all the time (Blue and I don't remember the other), and another that was +5V all the time (light green). Nothing lit up when the truck was in reverse. So, since everything I'd read showed all the CAMERA connections were on the rear plug, and a few posts had said the reverse signal was either GREEN or VIOLET, I went ahead and cut in the GREEN wire (see photo attached). Well, it doesn't do anything. Good news is, the camera still works as normal. And the Homelink mirror still seems to be working. And the dome lights are all working. So, hopefully I didn't kill my BT mic...

Now, reading back through all of these posts and Toxarc's posts on the other installs, it appears I COMPLETELY overlooked the fact that the other plug at the pillar also has a green wire...and a violet wire...and other wires. So, it looks like tomorrow when I have time (and get an aligator clip for my multi-meter), I'll be pulling the pillar cover and testing those wires as well. And I'm going to clean up things when I find the right wire too...

...And now to add factory seat heaters to my wish list...

[capritoms]

I just got my backup camera off of ebay from Pat Lobb Toyota in McKinney TX for $290 shipped...thought some who haven't pulled the trigger yet might want to know where to get one for that price.

[LCBrewing]

Ok...tore into the A-pillar again last night, and I got it right this time!

Turns out it WAS the green wire...the OTHER green wire.

I pushed a piece of single-strand 24ga copper in the plug with an aligator clip on the multimeter, and sure as s**t, it read 12V (give or take) when I put it in reverse. I didn't bother to take new photos of this part of the install (you can see my album for more photos though), since it looks like a hack job now that I've re-spliced together the original green wire I used, and then butt-spliced in a new connector on the other green wire. It was blowing 25mph wind last night at the house, and I really didn't feel like soldering in the cab of the truck by the light of my LED headlamp.

So, here's a shot of the finished installation.

Not perfect, but I'm happy with it for my first modification. Now I just gotta keep my eyes on the road IN FRONT of me instead of on the monitor.

And for everyone on this site that has done these mods and posted them for others to try. I'd have never even considered things like this without discovering this site.

[capritoms]

Ok...I am having a problems doing this. I have the tailgate part is done and now I am in the truck. I removed all of the T-20 bolts in the console. I looked at the PDF file attached earlier in this thread on page 6 by jliltd but I don't know where exactly to drill the 7/8 hole in the fron of the console. It appears that there is not that much length in the wires attached to the truck so I want to be sure I put the hole in the right spot. Someone who has done this please help me out.

Thanks,

Jeff

[ot]

i got my back up camera kit in the mail today and just installed it without the "anytime" set up. Thanks for all the pictures Pedro. The only thing that was different with my kit was that it did not come with the 7/8 rubber grommet. It was late and so the stores were all closed but it should be okay since the monitor wire set has a thick rubber sleeve around it. When I first turned it on, there was a red tint color on the monitor. I thought something was wrong but then realized that it was the brake lights.....duh.

OT

[911saub]

Has anyone figured out how to do this mod through the factory nav sytem? Have the camera system in place but it would be nice to have the camera "on demand" Thanks in advance!

[lotust]

does anyone happed to know the size of the hole in the OEM handle? I have a camera allready but I need more angle on mine and would like the OEM handle.

[jliltd]

Your first post. Whether you're brand new or been lurkin' for a while, welcome aboard!

There was a post in this very thread addressing this. Here is a link
DIY: OEM Backup Camera Install With Auto Anytime Camera

Once you get used to navigating around TS finding stuff gets easier.

You might also want to check out the Nav install thread and common signal lines thread.

Originally Posted by 911saub

Has anyone figured out how to do this mod through the factory nav sytem? Have the camera system in place but it would be nice to have the camera "on demand" Thanks in advance!

[jliltd]

Yeah, that angle is not going to do you much good over the standard rear-view mirror. You want to be able to see the hitch. Backup cameras need to show part of the vehicle as a fixed reference, like the bumper or hitch.

I just modified a 2008 GM tailgate handle by installing a piece of PVC pipe the proper diameter at a downward angle so that the bumper could be seen. I used a camera that looks to be identical to yours. After I epoxied it in place I painted the whole handle with black satin plastic paint so it all blends together. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

Your camera looks like the 120 degree cameras with night vision like they sell on ebay and they are very good but don't have the field of view of the OEM Toyota camera. That means it needs even more of an angle than the factory unit and less stuff is seen way behind the vehicle than with the factory unit. It also has quite a bit larger diameter than the OEM handle hole. Based on the one's I've installed yours will be larger than the outside diameter of the OEM handle plastic.

The only ebay type camera I've seen that may fit an OEM handle would be the kind known as "nickle" size. Here's one I like from Kawa (I'm installing one in an '05 F-150 with factory camera bezel):

Wide Angle 150D Reverse Night Vision Camera XS 0.8in - eBay (item 350128498892 end time Feb-17-09 20:20:58 PST)

Another alternative is to buy a surface-mount camera with the downward angle already built-in. I bought one to put in an '05 Superduty whose handle doesn't lend itself to much in the way of interior space. A black-colored Type 2 would be in order for a tailgate bezel:



eBay Motors: 170° COLOR REAR VIEW BACKUP CAMERA CCD NIGHT VISION*710 (item 180324387398 end time Feb-07-09 13:25:43 PST)

Originally Posted by lotust

does anyone happed to know the size of the hole in the OEM handle? I have a camera allready but I need more angle on mine and would like the OEM handle.

[lotust]

Originally Posted by jliltd

Yeah, that angle is not going to do you much good over the standard rear-view mirror. You want to be able to see the hitch. Backup cameras need to show part of the vehicle as a fixed reference, like the bumper or hitch.

I just modified a 2008 GM tailgate handle by installing a piece of PVC pipe the proper diameter at a downward angle so that the bumper could be seen. I used a camera that looks to be identical to yours. After I epoxied it in place I painted the whole handle with black satin plastic paint so it all blends together. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

Your camera looks like the 120 degree cameras with night vision like they sell on ebay and they are very good but don't have the field of view of the OEM Toyota camera. That means it needs even more of an angle than the factory unit and less stuff is seen way behind the vehicle than with the factory unit. It also has quite a bit larger diameter than the OEM handle hole. Based on the one's I've installed yours will be larger than the outside diameter of the OEM handle plastic.

Yeah I thought about useing some PVC to help. I agree with you that the camera I bought will not yeild as much angle as the OEM or some of the more pricey ones. I did pay a fraction of the price of the OEM setup though. Its nice to have the ability to see in the dark too though.

I found the OEM handle and camera for 170$ somewhere online. I forget where. I may end up getting it one day.. hehe

[tomhole]

That camera you have looks a lot like the one I installed on my 2005 Tundra. I thought about getting another one and doing a DIY install, but for $170, I got the OEM camera. The OEM camera has a wider FOV and its night performance is better than the one I had on the 2005. So, having used the cheapo VR wireless camera, the bullet one like you have and an additional rv camera, I can say that the best performer is the Toyota OEM camera.

Tom