2010 Tacoma Head Unit Upgrade

I upgraded my stock radio with a head unit made by Ainavito.




A great price, looks great, fits nice and the radio rocks. Adds CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a nice feature that allows using the head units larger display for Google Map navigation.

Once the new head unit was installed I skipped the install of the included backup camera as I wanted to retain the look and feel of the OEM camera in the tailgate handle, I started the next phase of the head unit install which was to get the OEM rear view camera (which normally shows in the rearview mirror) to display in the head unit in order to use the much larger display rather than the small display in the rearview mirror. So, I started a research project around November of 2024 on the internet, U Tube as well as Tacoma World on how to do that. Just got it done.


As many of you know the stock 2010 Tacoma does not have a means to lock the tailgate (and secure the contents of your truck bed). It took Toyota YEARS to address that lack of foresight. To solve the issue for my truck, I had previously (2011) installed a tailgate handle made by POP n Lock and a solid fold tonneau cover made by Extang. A nice feature of the POP N Lock handle is that the OEM rear view camera fits in seamlessly as well. It allows you to use your ignition key to lock and unlock your tailgate with the ignition key. You can now buy one that allows you to lock and unlock your tailgate with the key fob or lock unlock toggle switches.


POP N Lock:


https://hhtruckaccessories.com/bran...lqNmwbYNd0Dh89YqZUkHV20L2LpjFMpB3Aqr7kleIAwCY


Solid fold tonneau cover by Extang.


https://theextang.com/extang-tri-fold-tonneau-cover/


As the Ainavito head unit camera that is included is 12 VDC, I bought a 12 VDC camera on Amazon. As it is 15 years newer than the OEM camera (6 VDC) I figured that the video would be much better than the OEM unit. I was right! A nice feature of the 12 VDC camera that I bought is that it plugs right into the existing wiring harness in the tailgate. It also adds the backup lines into the display which the OEM camera didn’t have.

$30 86790-04010 Rear View Backup Camera Fit for Toyota Tacoma 2009-2013, GreenYi Parking Assist Cam Replaces OE Number 590-086, 8679004010

https://www.amazon.com/86790-04010-...fit+for+toyota+tacoma+2009-2013,aps,84&sr=8-2


I used the existing camera wiring in the tailgate to connect to the front of the vehicle. The wiring for the camera connects into the rearview mirror. In order to access the wiring, you need to pull off the overhead panel that houses the cab dome lights and in my case a sunglass holder.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D692cgD2a0


Here is a link showing you how to access the wiring going into the rearview mirror and get the camera input from the rearview mirror down to the head unit. It discusses the basic idea on how to connect up the camera input to the new head unit. The video discusses using a part called the PAC Volt-39. I didn’t use this as I used the 12 VDC reverse trigger to power the new 12 VDC camera as well as tell the new head unit to shift the display to the camera.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIZZAtEcBqk






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWUxCGIpXQ


I used the RCA cable that shipped with the new head unit to connect from the wires running from the rearview camera down to the new head unit. The RCA cable contains an extra wire that I used to allow the reverse trigger 12 VDC connection to the head unit. The head unit instructions specify where to connect the reverse trigger wire. I cut off the camera connection end (didn’t need it as I used the installed wiring from the camera to the rearview mirror end).





This is the basic steps that I took to install a new 9-inch screen head unit, a new rearview camera and how I connected it up to the new head unit. Any questions (I’m sure there will be many) let me know will attempt to clarify as needed. I am very happy with the installation and it makes driving and interacting with the upgraded head unit much nicer!

 

Nice write up. So your a couple weeks in on the new system. Some early reviews? How is the Green Yi camera? Happy with the Ainovito?
Currently having some issues with my 6 volt backup camera on my 2013. Maybe time for an upgrade.

Can you outline the connections you had to make from the harness that unplugs from the mirror? I assume one has to wire the 12 volt red rear activation to the black ( previous 6 volt + ) plus included in that junction the red wire from the rca junction.
Also the shielding from the rca to the shielding in the harness. Are those the only connections?

Agree changing to a 12 volt camera is the way to go. Should be easier not having to splice in the Pac 39.

 

Alan, I have bought and installed the Ainavito unit and switched to a 12 volt camera. I am having some issues that I would like to discuss if you see this.