How to replace a dummy camera with an actual one on TRD Lift Kit Grille?

Hello Taco experts,

I just installed the new Toyota TRD Lift Kit on my 2020 Tacoma Off Road 4x4 by Toyota Tustin in the OC (SoCal) and am super happy and excited about it. It looks great with 17” rims and big tires as well as the trd pro skid plate and Rigid LED fog lights.

Here is my question -

My truck did not come with a front camera originally and now, by installing that kit they put a placeholder camera (camera part itself is simply a plastic dummy filler, inserted onto the designated cam mount on the grille). Now, that dummy camera has a connector with a Toyota plug wired to the same plug/hub of the TSS wire (imagine two wires. First goes out from the TSS and second goes out from the camera. Then the two are connected to a single wire).

Now, enough with the long description and onto the actual questions :

1. How do I replace the dummy camera and get it to work with my truck ?
2. Do I need to buy just the camera part and that’s it ?
3. Do I also need to consider doing complex wiring and adding a switch on the dashboard ?

Please help. I really want to install a front camera to help with off-road and tight parking situations. Thank you.

 

https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com/products/2020-kit?variant=32412745302094

 

Yeah there’s instructions to download but it should be pretty much plug and play. Running the wire through the boot in the firewall probably the hardest part.

 

Did you by any chance complete this? Did the camera fit? Love your thoughts on the process and outcome.

I just got my lift yesterday so I'm looking for a solution for the camera as well.

 

Hello and congrats. I love this trd lift kit.
So here is what you need to do:

1. Buy the kit here https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com/products/2020-kit?variant=32412745302094

FYI, with the TRD Pro 2021 Grille (PT228-35200-20 / PT228-35200-AA) you DO NOT need to drill holes in the Grille. Just used the existing hole (get rid of the dummy gray filler and bracket and it’s screws.

2. Buy this Camera from Amazon:

HD Reverse Backup Camera,Universal Car Front/Rear View Camera, Wide Angle and 3 Metal Installation Options,Mirror Image,Removable Guideline DC12V-24V

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FGG8GY4

3. Widen the hole on the grille in 1mm so you can use the ‘flat meta screw cap’ and silver ‘washer/spacer’. Ensure it is screw tight and camera is aligned straight for accurate imaging.

4. Check out the image with a diagram I made. It shows the way I understood the instruction manual and how I ended up wiring and installing the kit, which worked for me:

 

Ahhh okay, I was trying to figure out how you mounted the camera itself and if you have to make adjustments to the faux housing. I wonder if there is a way to use a oem camera that fits the housing directly for a more factory finish?

 

What did you do with the harness plug that was plugged into the dummy camera bracket?

 

I just didn't connect it to anything, wrapped it with electrical tape and tighten it to the grille.

 

So you basically installed the anytime backup and front camera kit with the round camera? Only mod was drilling the clip that mounted to the bracket which allowed the camera cable to connect to the camera that was inserted in the circular hole on the grill? Thinking about doing this but want to make sure I don’ screw it up.... thanks

 

Are the connectors the same on the camera in the kit and the camera you purchased on Amazon?

 

The AM@ZON flush Camera did end fitting inside the grille’s camera hole. Thus, I ended up using all the hardware from the ANY TIME BACKUP CAMERA except for the actual camera part. https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com/products/2020-kit?variant=32412745302094

DO NOT Drill a hole in the grille.

Just use the existing grille hole with the Am@z0n camera, and use the silver spacer / washer and flat screw cap.

See photo:



You need to widen the hole in 1mm so the flat screw cap of the Am@z0n camera can fit inside it.

 

OK… I see what you did now. Glad I did not order the camera off Amazon. I will buy the anytime camera kit and modify it to work. You have been a big help. Thanks again.

 

Yep, glad to help. Lastly, DO NOT RUSH to cut the setting-wires on the actual camera. Good luck!

 

So why is the wire there and connected to the dummy camera if its not actually used for anything?

I still feel like you should be able to just remove the dummy camera and plug an OEM camera into that existing wire and add the switch to the inside of the truck. ????No....????

 

Hey could I see how a photo in the engine bay to see it mounted??