Installing Backup Camera

Hi all,

I have a 2011 2.7L manual.

I am having a bit if trouble with installing my back up camera.
In the tailgate, the harness is included, no camera though. I install the camera (basically just plug it in to the tailgate handle. No image.

Next,

There is an aftermarket head unit installed..I follow this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aULuiHvdjc

Getting closer. When I reverse, the screen changes, but "no camera signal"..

Is it possible that the camera is just faulty? I feel fairly confident that I wired everything correctly according to Stephen's video.

Ive also heard others have had this same problem as me, and had success fixing it. Hoping someone can reach out. Thanks.

 

Not sure why you are trying to use the factory harness with an aftermarket camera and aftermarket head unit? Just follow the instructions that came with the cam for its included harness for power and reverse sensing connections. Then plug the yellow cable into the head unit. Not hard to run the wires to the back along the frame. And a license plate bracket to mount the cam is easier than trying to fit an aftermarket cam into the tailgate handle.

 

Raylo,

Thanks for your reply. Yah the kit only came with the camera, no harness. I just figured the plug and play would be easier because the truck is already equip for it on the tailgate handle.

 

My 13 Tacoma came with JBL entune so it had the backup cam as well. I changed to a Kenwood HU last year and after reading countless posts on the voltage difference on the cheap oem cam, having to splice the stock rca cable, etc, I said screw it, and just ran the cable that came with the crutchfield camera up to the headunit. Drew power as I recall off the right front kickplate for reverse. Real easy to run the loom from rear and just zip tie it to the original wire loom, bring it up through one of the body plugs about pass/dr door frame area, follow rocker panel plastic trim forward to kickplate area and then behind dash to HU.

 

Cactusred, I appreciate the response. I just ordered the unit and harness off Amazon. I'll document the process and keep everyone posted once it's installed in the case someone else needs the info.

 

I have had really good luck with this cam. Beware the cheap Chinese stuff from Amazon. They leak like rotted out row boats. I'd stick with something like this, or KW or Pioneer.

Alpine HCE-C1100 Backup camera — surface-mount (optional Alpine license-plate-mount-compatible) at Crutchfield

 

I agree with running new wiring to the HU. There's too much troubleshooting and issues trying to run a 12V aftermarket camera to the factory 6V output. You could've already completed the install and have it working already by simply running new wiring. I installed a new HU along with front and rear cameras in a few hours. I would've bypassed the factory wiring even if my 2005 came with it.

 

Finished installing. Ballin' on budget , so I went ahed and got an eBay camera. Documented the process for those who need help. Very easy, only a couple of hours, I imagine it takes other guys much less.

First I removed the tailgate cover and bolted the camera to the tailgate handle.



From there, the camera splits into two connectors, a power(red) and an rca(yellow).Connect yellow to yellow and red to black. On the yellow, at both ends, there is a small red pigtail. I extended the pigtail with some loose 18awg that I had laying around.
Note(I don't want to confuse anyone, because the colors of my wires change on my pigtail from red to green to white/black. If I had all red that would be ideal for clarity sake, its just what I had on hand))

I ran my wire through the passenger side, only because the was an opening through where my old factory harness ran and used that. Ive seen other guys run it through the drivers side.
Unbolt the taillight, the lowest bulb is the reverse light. There are two wires there. A red and white/black.



I used a couple of t-taps I snapped on. Black wire goes to white/black wire. Red wire goes to red wire plus+ first pigtail on RCA. Note again: My wire colors change because of what I had on hand in order to extend the pigtail, that's why you see two white/black wires in the picture.



Run the rest of the RCA cable the length of the frame rail. Under, there are a few rubber plugs, chose one drilled a small hole and ran the RCA cable into the cab.

Remove the side boards on the floor. Just attached by clips, easy to pop off.



Removed the glove box, again very easy. Ran the RCA behind and to the head unit.

Connected the RCA to the head unit and wired up the second red pigtail to the purple/white wire. On my head unit the purple/white wire was labeled "reverse".

Hope this helps anyone who may need it.

Link to the kit below. The picture quality is so-so, but good enough for what I need right now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144483481839?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

Did your tailgate handle come ready for a camera? I've a BASE model 2007 Tacoma that I would like to upgrade w/a BU Camera. But had no idea there was a handle that would take a camera until I happened upon the locking one they sell for a hundred and up!
Do you know if there is one that fits the stock 2007 Tacoma tailgate?

Also, what do you do when you need to remove the tailgate?

 

I've a 2007 BASE. Curious to learn which HU you installed.

 

I have the Sony XAV AX1000 head unit.

I also have a base model, mine is a 2012 though. The stock tailgate handle had a place for the camera but was bolted with a stand-in plastic dust guard. I ended up upgrading to the pop and lock tail gate handle as well, and donating the handle that came with the camera kit. The quality of the stock handle is superior (you can just feel it) but I wanted a lock on the back.
If you go with the kit I used, everything is there.
Take a picture of the handle you have, there should be a place for a camera.

If I remove the tailgate, I just unplug the RCA cables (2nd photo)

 

Just a possibility - but if your harness comes with a pigtail wire with no instructions - try a alligator clip cord on it to either a ACC source, or ground. There is no explanation I can give other that I have used about a dozen of these cheap(er) cameras, and it always takes one or the other. If you don't have that pigtail, never mind.

 

1 & 2 - Right, got it, thanks
3 - I might want to buy that stand-in piece! All the cameras I've seen would need it as a mount if I found the right handle.
4 - Are you talking about the locking handle kit? Or the Camera Kit?
5 - Do you want to sell the handle(s) and stand-in pieces you didn't use?

I MIGHT be able to mount the Garmin BU Camera to it - if it fit the 2007 reg cab base I own.

 

Heck if I still had it, I give it to you for free bud. I see em on eBay used for around 25 bucks though.I don't see why you couldn't makeshift a way to get that Garmin cam to fit with some creativity!

 

It appears from the pictures that the cameras that do fit are embedded in the plastic mount thing. But then you've bout a camera and have to destroy it to get the mount to hang the Garmin on/in. And, the Garmin's a wireless unit that I will want to move to another vehicle at some point - so I need to be careful not to modify it - rather to modify what ever I need to mount it in. Need to get myself one of those $800 3D printers so I can make such things! And the software, and learn the software, and . . .

Thanks for the feedback and confidence in my creativity

 

https://vehiclesecurityinnovators.com/product/toyota-tacoma-camera-mounting-clip/

 

Thanks for that one!

Wow, if that works in a factory handle . . . It would fit the Garmin Wireless camera and really be perfect. I wrote the MFG to ask . . .

"Camera Mounting Clip When upgrading from the PL5300 to the

$100 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400/

$90 PL5500 , Standard Lock

PL5500 Toyota Tacoma you will need to have the factory camera holder or will need to buy the camera mounting clip from Pop & Lock.

QUESTION: If I only have the BLANK plastic part that fills-in where the camera might go - can I replace that with this metal part to mount my GARMIN (or other) camera in my (otherwise) 'factory' handle?"