Backup Camera Install

I have a 1998 Limited. I think that includes a "lighting package" that includes the extra switch. Thanks for replying, I was hoping that you'd still be around.

 

Follow-up:

I bought the SC0301 camera and monitor plus some 1/2-inch flex tubing on-line. Over the last couple of years the price went up of course so I paid $100 for the system and the flex tubing. The following week I installed the monitor on the panel that's in front of the shifters. It was kind of a pain to do it right but I finished it in a couple of hours including the time it took to make a bracket. Hopefully the teeny tiny little screws will hold the monitor to the bracket when I go off-road.

I wired the camera to the backup light like the instructions the OP provided said. I didn't bother with a separate switch. Everything works okay, and a big THANK YOU to the OP for posting what he did.

There are a couple of things that I noticed. First, the system doesn't work if one puts the gear shift into reverse and then turns the key on. You have to turn the ignition on first and then put it into reverse. Second, the camera's mounting bracket is so wide that it partially covers the license plate registration tags. I cut off the excess and mounted it like that. I never installed a license plate frame and I'm not satisfied with the installation of the camera so I will be buying a decent frame and remounting the camera adapter so that it is secure. I do a lot of riding on very bumpy and sometimes very wash-boardy roads (if you can call them that) and I don't want to have to fart with the camera out in the boondocks should it vibrate off.

Once again, a big thank you to the OP...!

 

Wish I could access the photos in the OP!

 

I just checked and the photos are still available (they are part of the actual posting, I think). Is there anything in your setup that would preclude it from displaying the photos?

 

Just shows up as [ IMG ]. I'll see what I can do to fix it - good to know it's just on my end.

 

Not Tacoma related but I installed pioneer rear view camera on my 3rd gen 4runner. Maybe this can give some ideas for others. Only down side is at night it's not so great.

 

Yea photos are still there

 

Nice set up. Once you have a back up camera you'll want one forever. I backed into a new Audi A6 a few years ago and installed my camera then.

I mounted it on magnets so it can be moved around. I also added a front facing camera for when off roading. You can use it as an on board spotter but it's also useful for when you crest a hill and want to see where you're going with out getting out of the truck. My monitor is made so their's a primary video input. The reverse camera goes into the primary so if I have the forward camera turned on I can put it in reverse and the reverse camera will over ride the front facing camera.

 

Yeah, the view is not so good. Your spare tire takes up around 20% of the display, and with the camera so high you don't get the benefit of things on the ground that are only a foot or so away from the bumper.

What you want to be able to see is stuff that you are just about to run over or run off of (it it's the edge of a dropoff). You may want to try moving the camera all the way down to the license plate and then position its viewing angle it so you can just see the edge of the bumper at the bottom of the display. That way the image will be a LOT brighter and you will reduce the risk of running into (over) stuff that you don't want to.

 

Not happening. The license plate is relocated to the side. And to re run the wire would be a pain in the neck. It's still good and I can still see a lot. The cb antenna tells me where my corner is. I'm not really worried about what's bellow my spare tire. More what's behind it. It's a off road vehicle. Something will get sacrificed. But I agree. It's not IDEAL location. However it is the best in this situation

It's only as good as the driver. People with back up sensors still bump into stuff. So you shouldn't always depend on a camera.

 

I'm not seeing any photos here. Any way to revive this thread?

 

The real question should be, is there still a reason to do a wired backup camera install in 2020? The wireless options are fantastic these days, I just installed one myself.

And honestly I felt like an idiot for having spent days browsing old TW build threads on wired cameras only to find cheaper, easier options on Amazon within minutes. With backup cameras being a must these days, the technology advanced really quickly these past few years.

 

I've been running a back up camper where the monitor replaces my stock camera. My camper blocks the view out the back so the mirror was useless anyway.

The replacement system has such a wide field of view I no longer have any blind spot. And it has a front facing camera that acts as a dash cam. It records out the front and the rear and has a motion detector for parking. It's also a touch screen so you can move the view up and down to adjust by sliding your finger on the screen.

The only thing I wish it had was wireless.

 

Great idea, but I'm using my stereo screen for my backup camera. Don't see any wireless options for someone using the existing stereo screen. So this thread would still apply.

 

There are even wireless solutions for that, too.

Remember, it's 2020!

 

That is the largest “backup camera” I’ve ever seen, lol