1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

DIY Radar Sensor Calibration

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by M85, Aug 3, 2024.

  1. Aug 3, 2024 at 2:07 PM
    #1
    M85

    M85 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2024
    Member:
    #447252
    Messages:
    255
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR ACLB
    I don't have time to do a full write-up with detailed photos of every step, but here are some notes on the process of DIY radar sensor calibration on my 2019 Tacoma.

    Background:
    I recently DIY installed the Toyota TRD OEM lift kit, and for those not familiar, it comes with a replacement radar sensor for some reason (actually a different part number that looks identical on the outside), along with the TRD grille. Many people report the old sensor works fine with no changes, and I don't doubt that. But my original sensor was working intermittently before installing the kit (I suspect it got water in it), and the new sensor was one of the reasons I bought the kit, assuming it would fix the intermittent problems.

    Besides installing the TRD lift kit, you might need to do this calibration anytime the radar sensor is replaced. Technically it should be done if the grille is replaced, but I don't think it's worth the hassle if you're not getting errors.

    Installing the lift kit itself was easy enough. I think it took me 9 hours over a couple days. I had it aligned and the shop got it basically spot on the specs in the instructions for the lift kit.

    Then I replaced the grille and sensor. It seemed okay at first, but as I pulled out of my driveway I got a pre-collision system warning light and error. The error takes over the display every 7 seconds, which is extremely annoying, and cruise control stopped working completely. Even holding the cruise button for a couple seconds for non-adaptive cruise control didn't work (that did still work when the old sensor was acting up). I half expected this to happen. There was a shop nearby that does ADAS calibration in addition to auto glass, so I was going to take it there. Unfortunately I just learned they closed a few months ago. I hate the dealers here, so I didn't even ask. Usually it's $200 minimum just to talk to you, and more if you ask for anything unusual.

    Equipment:
    I roughly followed the process in this video, although they leave out some details, and some things were different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2qMfQUin_4

    I took inspiration from this ebay listing to build my own corner cube radar target from Home Depot parts. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353887365938
    Materials:
    • 10ft 1-1/4 PVC pipe (cut to two 14" lengths, 1 6" length, 1 18" length, and the remainder)
    • 2x 1-1/4 PVC Tee fittings
    • 1 piece 4x4x8 galvanized step flashing
    • 1 Hose Clamp
    • 1 Scrap of wood
    • 1 random screw
    • Hot glue
    A corner cube reflector is simple to build. The principal is basically that it will reflect a signal back in the direction it came from, regardless of what angle it enters the reflector from. As opposed to a flat surface that will reflect the signal slightly away if it's not aligned perfectly facing the source. You just need 3 pieces of metal at right angles to each other. It should be fairly close to exactly 90 degrees, and I don't know how much it can be off. I cut the galvanized flashing in half and taped it together with some aluminum foil HVAC tape. At mm wave frequencies I don't think you need electrical continuity between the wings of the reflector, but it wouldn't hurt. You could tack weld it if you want to make it fancy.

    PXL_20240803_194247966.jpg

    Hardware Setup:
    The reflector has to be in the correct location, which is apparently the same height as the radar sensor, 3000mm away, and in line with the vehicle.

    Screenshot 2024-08-03 at 2.31.04 PM.png

    That assumes the vehicle is on a flat level floor. I don't have a flat level space big enough to meet the requirements. You would basically need a 4 car garage.

    Screenshot 2024-08-03 at 2.32.06 PM.png

    But what I do have is a flat and level 2 car garage, and a driveway that's flat-ish. I realized I can back the truck into the garage and have it facing out. And hope no birds fly by during the process.

    The next problem is alignment. Since the driveway is not perfectly flat, I had to get the reflector into the right place without using marks on the floor for alignment. That requires lining up three measurements: distance from the front of the vehicle, height relative to the sensor, and side to side position relative to the vehicle.

    Distance was easy enough. I hooked a tape measure on the grille and set the reflector 3000mm (9'10") from the grille. Not sure if I'm supposed to measure to the back of the reflector, the front, or the middle. I chose the middle.

    Then I worked on height. I set my laser level on a tripod and aligned the horizontal line at the same height as the center of the radar sensor. Then I spun it around and adjusted the reflector until the center of the reflector was at the same height. It was tricky to do because I could barely see the laser line in the sun. This would be easier with a green laser level or in the evening when it's getting dark.

    Finally I had to get the side to side position correct, so it's in line with the center of the vehicle. I hung a plumb bob (string with a nut tied to the end) to the front and back bumper of the truck, centered by eye. I put the laser level on the floor and adjusted it side to side until the vertical laser line hit the front and back strings at the same time. That aligns the vertical line along the center of the vehicle. Then I moved the reflector side to side until it was in line with the same vertical line in front of the truck. Again, hard to do in the sun. I am hoping it's close enough. I also made sure the reflector stand was plumb.

    PXL_20240803_194350994.jpg

    Software Setup:
    I have a M1 Macbook Pro, so I used UTM to run a virtual image of Windows XP with Techstream software. I had lots of issues with it randomly crashing, but during the actual calibration it ran for a good 10 minutes without crashing. I used a Tactrix Openport 2.0 cable. I spent several hours getting all this to work. Maybe I'll add more detail to the writeup eventually.

    Calibration:
    With the reflector set up, I could run the calibration utility in Techstream.
    1. Start Techstream and get it connected
    2. Double-click on Pre-Collision 2
    3. Click Utility on the left
    4. Double click on Front Axis Beam Adjustment
    5. Follow the prompts. The actual calibration takes only a few seconds
    6. Run through the other pre-collision 2 utilities to confirm that the alignment is good. I got 0.0, 0.1 and 0.0, 0.0.
    Screenshot 2024-08-03 at 3.06.40 PM.png

    Congratulations, your radar sensor is calibrated! Go for a test drive and make sure adaptive cruise control works.

    Conclusion:
    The software aspect of this was really painful, caused by using a random virtual machine image I found, and because the apple silicon macs can't run Windows natively. Besides that, the process was easy enough. My target placement was not perfectly precise, but apparently it worked and was well within tolerances.

    I didn't do the camera calibration section of the lift kit install instructions, because I don't know the procedure, I don't feel like making a camera target, and as long as it works I am afraid of breaking it or making it worse. My other TSS-P vehicle needs a new windshield, and the glass shop wants $250 to calibrate the camera after replacing the glass, so maybe I will figure out camera calibration some day.

    Screenshot 2024-08-03 at 2.52.08 PM.png
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #1
  2. Aug 3, 2024 at 4:58 PM
    #2
    Smacky2020

    Smacky2020 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2020
    Member:
    #326715
    Messages:
    685
    First Name:
    Chris
    Bristol, VA
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD ORDC - Cement
    Stock wheels and suspension. Random "utilitarian" mods featured on this great forum.
    I've scrolled past this part of the manual OP and :hattip:for actually doing this. Great writeup.
     
  3. Oct 30, 2024 at 4:59 PM
    #3
    Gears709

    Gears709 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2024
    Member:
    #443078
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Tacoma TRD Pro
    Thanks for the write up! I followed the process and now my radar is calibrated. Does anyone have the specs for the front camera calibration? I printed out the targets but it requires a bunch of configuration measurements from the repair manual.
     
  4. Oct 30, 2024 at 5:42 PM
    #4
    M85

    M85 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2024
    Member:
    #447252
    Messages:
    255
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2019 SR ACLB
    Awesome! I am surprised to hear anyone else is willing to try this themselves.

    I think there is a link to download the service manual somewhere on here, although it may be for a pre-TSS year. I think you can still subscribe to Techstream for two days for a small fee, or maybe someone with access can let us know what the specs are.

    I should also mention, if anyone in Colorado wants to borrow a radar target, it's available.
     
  5. Oct 30, 2024 at 7:09 PM
    #5
    Gears709

    Gears709 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2024
    Member:
    #443078
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Tacoma TRD Pro
    The radar calibration only took about 15 minutes. Thanks for the suggestion for a 2 day techstream subscription. I used a VXDiag nano for the radar but I guess a login to techstream is the remaining detail.
     
  6. Nov 2, 2024 at 12:05 PM
    #6
    Gears709

    Gears709 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2024
    Member:
    #443078
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Tacoma TRD Pro
    Success with Front Recognition Camera Calibration! No more errors, working fine.

    First, disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only, not for highway use, don't try this at home, totally shade tree mechanic, your mileage may vary, etc.

    The only hard part was finding the correct numbers. Here's what I found for a 2021 TRD Pro. Corrections are most welcome.

    Go into techstream, select the Front Recognition Camera. Select Utility. I had unplugged my camera so I had to set all the Recognition Camera/Target Position Memory values. Here is what I used:

    Camera Height: 62.48 in. (from the OEM TRD kit)
    Lateral: 3.54 in. (from the OEM TRD kit)
    Yaw: 0 deg. (from the OEM TRD kit)
    Pitch angle: -5.31 deg. (from the OEM TRD kit)
    Height of Target: 53.15 (1350mm)
    Distance between targets: 21.65 in (550 mm)
    Target size: 7.09 in (180mm)
    Width of vehicle: 74 in (measured)
    Camera to target: 118 in
    Pitch offset: 0 deg
    Camera to radar: 65 in (measured)

    Recognition Camera Axis Adjust
    I printed out the 180mm target and positioned it on the handle of a floor jack. I used the sequential calibration which was easy enough.

    Here is the process for a Lexus that covers all the details:

    https://www.lexguide.net/adjustment_one_time_recognition_-3418.html
     
    M85[OP] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top