TACO GARAGE - Any camera - anytime, plug and play, steering wheel controlled. 2020!

@FreshMexicanTaco sent you a few PMs.

 

I know I'm sorry im really behind on PMs.

 

@FreshMexicanTaco You around? I was wondering if you had the front camera bracket ready to sell?

 

I do but I don't have too many, I should have some this weekend ready to go, these first ones will be 19.50 shipped minus the regular TW 10% so about $18 which is more than I want it to be. Regular production should bring the prices down a little bit but that may not happen right away.

 

I saw there was some chatter about this set up working in conjunction with meso stealth knob. Has anyone successfully connected this devices to the 2nd momentary switch on Meso stealth knob to activate the front camera when holding it down? Thanks all!

 

@FreshMexicanTaco Thanks. Can I pay you now for it? I could make this myself but I like yours better. I have everything I need to install the camera now except the bracket!

 

Hi,
Thanks for the code @FreshMexicanTaco, and thanks for your work on the new model for the 2020. I`m fine waiting,
Jorge

 

Yeah thanks for checking them out before sending them out.

 

I'm not sure if anybody had this issue, but I found the power wire way too short and soldered an additional 10 inches to have enough slack to connect positive and negative. Just a heads up. Otherwise, the kit is fantastic.

 

Received my kit today. Agree that the wiring is a little off on this as a complete solution, particularly the (6m?) rca cable, yikes!

I actually think the ideal kit would involve two extra pieces.

1. Extension cable from camera to 3-1 splitter so that we could disconnect the camera when removing the grille without having to disrupt the wiring. This might be best at about 2m, enough to get from a safe spot near the front of the vehicle through the firewall and into the kick panel and perhaps under the steering column / behind the glovebox.

2. A combo power + video cable for connecting the 3-1 splitter to germes box. This might be best at about 1m to match existing power if #1 can be procured. If #1 isn't possible to find, then this length should be more like 1.5m to run from kick panel to the mounting location of the germes box which has to be within about a foot of the head unit. On one end would be the red plug for power to the splitter and an rca for video, on the other end rca and red/black 12v bullet connectors all pre-crimped and ready to plug. Some harness tape or heat shrink could finish off a nice clean look to this item and make it truly a zero crimp solution, assuming no video interference from the dc power running so close (so maybe a shielded video cable would be best).

Granted, the kit needs to accommodate any camera which is why in an ideal world these two pieces above would be additions for a few extra dollars for those of us who would appreciate them.

Now, it looks like OP's camera has a 6 pin connector ( two for video, two for power, two for control ) so I'm thinking this might get the job done for #1 _if_ it connects cleanly. For $10 I'm willing to take a gamble and see if it works ok.

$13 YQMAJIM Dash Cam Rear View Backup Camera Reverse Car Recorder Cable Extension Cord (6-pin 6.5ft)

https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Camer.../dp/B07B6LBGZ9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?ie=UTF8

For #2, it shouldn't be hard at all to find a 1m RCA cable lying around so all I need on top of that is some braided heat shrink.

Anyone have a really good spot identified for the control button?

 

Dave is this for a 2020 Taco? Also I miss Encinitas and San Diego in general. Not sad I left though.

 

Sorry, I’m 2016. I think for 2020 you’ll get there but I’d probably wait and let someone figure out the details since it’s a little different for you.

I couldn’t stomach $40k for a truck that my kids would just trash anyway.

We talk all the time about moving. But the PNW has many of the same troubles with high prices and lots of people. Can’t really find a spot to move to which would feel like a solid upgrade yet. And I’m hoping the boys will grow the f up someday so we can all play in the ocean, desert and everything in beteeen.

 

Agreed. I want FreshMex's bracket for this front facing camera and though my replacement LED bulbs are nice, I want a real LED set.

I actually paid 10k down for my 2020 Tacoma (38k otd, I got the TRD Sport 4x4 without the premium package, I can use my GMaps on the display!!). So I am financing 28 after selling the lexus.

I left CA for Florida. More conservative here, no taxes and the Gov takes no BS from the crazies. It's hot here, but you're welcome. We have plenty of space, retirement goes further here.

 

@daveeasa I realy like your shorter cable idea I put my excess cable in front of the battery, What a mess, and as summer is coming on( its already over 100 deg. here today) I am thinking there is going to be some degradation. As for a place to live, You might look into the North Texas area, A lot of folks from CA coming here.

 

Once I receive the 6 pin extension I'll try to do some quick tests to let everyone know if this is a viable option and if not I'll do a bit more hunting for an alternative. Also, monoprice has cheap options for shorter rca cables:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2743

 

@daveesa Thanks for the info.

 

$13 YQMAJIM Dash Cam Rear View Backup Camera Reverse Car Recorder Cable Extension Cord (6-pin 6.5ft)

https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Camer.../dp/B07B6LBGZ9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?ie=UTF8

I received this cable today. It connects on the camera end cleanly though maybe not as fully weather-tight as before, still probably 100% OK but you could maybe wrap with heat shrink, enclose in flex loom, etc. On the pigtail side it connects tighter than I expected, took a bit of force to get it on. There's a grove so you can't mess up and bend a pin when connecting.

And...it works. I used a 12V 200 mA AC-DC adaptor for temporary power after confirming the pigtail expects positive pin. Photos of my setup and the results attached, obviously not the cleanest image as I still have the protective plastic on the camera lens and wasn't going for anything beyond confirmation that it all works as expected. I believe I'm holding the camera upside down as I intend to mount it so I still need to connect the control button and reverse L and R and maybe I want gridlines, haven't decided yet.

Perhaps this helps some of you who might want to do something similar? Perhaps OP might consider bundling this extension cable and/or potentially sourcing a shorter rca video cable and crimping on the bullets which would save anyone from having to purchase a crimp tool just for that.

 

@FreshMexicanTaco please check my PM and/or email that I sent to you. I know you’re busy but I sent my PM on Monday.

 

@FreshMexicanTaco any update for the product release ?

 

Were still working with Germes lab to figure out whats wrong... looks like the units are gonna need a software update.