Custom Double Reverse Camera + Front Cam How-To Thread

Howdy all,

I am putting together a custom dual rear camera setup along with a front camera on my 2021 TRD Sport 4x4. The reason for the second rear camera is to mount one up high on my camper shell which I can use to see over my boat when I'm backing it down the ramp in the dark.

I could use some guidance on how to set this up. I promise to come back and update the thread as I get things working.

So far I have purchased the Harness kit with no switch or camera from anytime backup camera,

and this

$39 PixelMan Backup Camera,AHD 1080P Metal 170 Degree Wide Angle Rearview Reversing Camera,PMD2A-S Clear Night Vision IP69 Waterproof Reverse Rear View Camera for Car Vehicle SUV RV

camera from Amazon.

Goal # 1 is to be able to switch between the rear camera feeds. I will worry about the front camera and the anytime switch after I get this working.

I am planning to use an SPDT switch like the below. The way I want this to work is that I have an on-on rocker switch set to the rear camera that I want to be using. So if the camper shell is selected, that is the camera that comes on the screen when I shift into reverse or when I hit the "rear" side of the future anytime switch. That way I am always using the rear camera that I want and I don't have to try to remember which button or switch is the correct rear. Excuse my powerpoint electrical dwg below.



My question is, am I making this too simple? I am trying to avoid using a relay for this part of the system if I don't need one. Also, does anyone know if there is a Toyota style on-on SPDT switch out there? I am only finding on-off-on. For this purpose I never need 'off' but maybe I'm being too picky.

 

Look into anytimerearcamera. Use their harness and switch (x2 sets).

 

This is very helpful, thank you! The kit comes in Saturday, I will give an update after I try this out.

 

How about just a single switch to override the tailgate camera? So when the switch is "on", the reverse would trigger the camper camera as opposed to the tailgate camera. If the switch is off, it defaults to the tailgate camera. Also, if you are wanting anytime cameras, I'd consider this

$100 Pac Intelligent 4 CAM SWTCHR

Amazon.com: Pac Intelligent 4 CAM SWTCHR : Electronics That allows triggering with positive or ground signals, and also assigns priority (so if camera 1 and 2 are selected, it gives priority to 1 etc). The down side is it has a 2 second delay to turn the camera off. If you want simpler, there are these as well

$26 Intelligent Car Video Switcher 3-way Input 1-way Output for the Car Camera

Amazon.com: Intelligent Car Video Switcher 3-way Input 1-way Output for the Car Camera : Electronics

Or if you want to be really stupid about it, do one VS41 and 2 of the 3-way switches.... but you'd have to be really crazy for that

 

So.. I have been playing around with this and I accidentally supplied 12v somewhere that caused my AC controls' backlights to quit working and my radio no longer dims when the headlights are on...

I have no idea how I managed this but I just had to laugh at myself. All part of the learning process I suppose. Does anyone know what component I could have damaged? I would assume there's got to be fuse or relay that handles this. Or would it be the BCM or the head unit itself?

Still tinkering with the wiring, will update the thread once I have something working.

 

Update: The prototype is working. Basically all I had to do was switch the 'positive' side of each RCA with the ON-ON toggle switch. I will try to upload a video of how it works today.

I used spade connectors to put everything together for the time being but I plan to use some deutsch style connectors once I go back in to install the front camera. Anyone have a good kit they'd recommend?

 

Did you get the radio and backlighting fixed?

 

Here's a video of it working. Edit: The reason half the screen is gone on the second camera is that I had to mount it inside the shell for now and the back window has to be open for a full view.

@jmneill Yes I did, it turned out I was checking the wrong fuse. When I found the right one it was blown and replacing it brought everything back to normal

 

this deserves a full and detailed how-to video!

 

Appreciate the kind words!

I do plan to do a full video once I have it fully buttoned up.

 

Here's a good demonstration of exactly why I did this. Backed up to my grandpas 16ft trailer at the farm. With the tailgate camera, you just see the front of the trailer. It's still nice to have for lining up the hitch. But having the second camera up high shows you exactly where you're going with the trailer. And I plan to get the camera slightly higher with a custom 3rd brake light housing, so it should get even better. When I go duck hunting I have to back the boat down a pitch black boat ramp in the morning. I expect this will make that far easier.