Help with backup camera

So I have 2008 double cab trd offroad, and if you do not know they did not put the backup cameras in until 09. So i have decided to put one in, and I found everything I want. I have 6.2 compatible touch screen radio. I am buying an OEM tailgate handle with the camera in it also. My only problem is installation.I googled and tried to research it and there is one video, but doesn't really explain well. One of my many questions is, do I have to run the wire thru my spare tire lowering tool spot to avoid cutting in the truck? After I wire the line all the way up how does it fit into the cab? Once i get it in the cab how do I trigger it to only cut on when the truck is in reverse?
thanks,
john

 

You are going to have to cut into the tailgate? That's why I have decided to go with a camera off Amazon for 25$ and I will mount it on the Liscense plate.

 

No I plan on buying a brand new tailgate Handel with the camera already in it so I don't have to modify it I can just take my old one out and put the new one in

 

Okay, but think...where does the wiring go for the camera bud?
Answer: it goes through the covering of the tailgate on the back and you have to cut a hole in the bottom of the tailgate to run it under the bed

 

I went with a license plate mounted camera, so cant help you with the routing of the tailgate wire, as mine just went under the bed into the cab, there is a rubber "grommet" that you can enter into the cab with...

There is a wire behind the driver side kick panel you tap into for the reverse signal. Just google "reverse camera install tacoma" and there are some good how to's with which wire it is. I forget exactly what color but it is right there behind the kick panel.

 

Pretty sure it was a solid red wire behind the kick panel with no stripes, you can test with a multimeter

 

Are you sure the hole isn't already there for the wire. Would be surprised if the tailgates don't all have the same holes from the factory. I bought a replacement tailgate once. I didn't have to specify if I had a camera or not and the hole was there

 

for my 08 I bought a head unit with a backup camera input and the got this kit: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Factory-Grad...126949?hash=item3398288ee5:g:U4kAAOxyaTxTTY6L

comes with instructions on where to run the wires, no cutting required

 

Look at the bottom of the tailgate when you pull the inside panel off. There is a line of drain holes along the bottom edge. I ran the tailgate camera wiring out through the one on the far left.

At the same time, I removed the left taillight assembly and tapped the red wire on the camera wiring into the wire going to the reverse light bulb. I used one of the taillight mounting screws for the black ground wire.

I made a small slit in the wiring grommet under the driver's seat, passed the wires for the cab through that, and then sealed the entry with RTV.

There should be a "camera power" wire on your radio, separate from the AV input point. Connect the small red wire to that point, and when the radio sees the 12V signal from the rear light, it should switch into rear camera mode.

 

Look at the years of the trucks involved

 

I had to cut a small hole in the bottom of the tailgate... can't see it with the tailgate closed. The drain holes were too small for the connectors on the camera wiring... after that, ran the wires up to the front along the frame rail and popped it through one of the rubber firewall plugs.

 

Can't he hook it up to a switch so he can have the camera go on any time instead of just in reverse?

 

You could wire it that way, but then it would be impossible to turn on without being in reverse (most head units allow you to turn it on other times to check trailer hitch). Also, a cable will still have to run to the head unit for a/v. You can tap power from the trailer wiring, though.