Forward recognition camera removal

I have tried to both replicate and remove the black frit in the past on other vehicles. I cannot replicate the durability and the only way I have found to remove it was with a dremel and grinder (old windshield - just practicing) and then you damage the glass so much it's impossible to polish out.

 

Uh oh! This is what I was afraid of. Back when I was looking at 2018's and how to get rid of the TSS, I figured if I couldn't get the enamel frit off, I could go drive around behind some semi's on the highway until I needed new glass, then ask for the 16/17 windshield without the frit. But who knows if they would even let you do that. Realistically, after test drives and countless visits to the dealership I knew that damn box would subconsciously build up a hate for my truck and I could never cleanly get rid of it 100%.

There's still quite a few 2017's on the lots out there...and they're substantially cheaper than 2018's. You might be able to work out a trade with only your time to pay for.

 

I guess if I had to do this over I’d get a 2017 for sure. As soon as that camera is disconnected all kinds of warnings pop-up... headlights / pre-collision / lane departure. This almost seems to be a half way point to a self driving car, except the actual self driving cars have all of the equipment on the roof not in front of the drivers face!


For now I’ve got the mirror off and the wire tucked into the camera mount. I’d say a 50% improvement in visibility, but I’d sure like to delete the camera and customize a mirror mount that makes it usable but still up and out of the way.

A 2017 windshield will solve the frit issue, but I’ll need to work out some kind of safe workaround to neutralize the camera without sending the truck into a hot fuss. If anybody has any suggestions I’m all ears.

 

I doubt the design will change much soon. Most models that I have seen including other Toyota that have this system, and the Subarus I have seen as well are all in the same location. The windshield seems to offer protection for the camera as well, just my 2c of course

 

Wow, that’s a lot of crap packed in there. I had no idea. Good luck with this project!

 

I wrote an article a month or so ago about this topic. Here it is if you have a few minutes.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-2017-the-last-of-the-old-ways.536648/

 

Well, just spit-balling here, but could you replace the mirror with a display and some linked cameras? Then just point the camera so the display shows you the area you can't see through the box?


Something like this, but with the camera pointed out to the front left? Might be able to put in an anytime rearview camera to replace the mirrors function as well.

EDIT: Found some better pics of what I'm talking about here on TW.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-trd-sports-dclb-build-in-japan.476901/

 

I love it! Ambition bar is set pretty high but I guess you never know until you try. Might need DARPA for this one, but I’m game! Honestly, I’m in for the long con on this one. Eventually that junk is going away, just need to frame out the constraints one step at a time.

 

Or you could go with a different seat rail from the aftermarket side and drop the seat hight. I did that in my old wheeling rig due to me bashing my head into my cage. Dropped the seat 2 inches

 

Make it easy on yourself. Just put a forward mounted camera on the dash or behind grille and mount a switch that would let it show on your head unit. That way, when you are in traffic in the city or wherever you need it you can just dlip the switch and have augmented eyesight.

 

Whoa now yer talkin. Figured I was as dropped as I’d get... I’ll check it out thanks!

 

What the hell?! I'm only 6' and had to adjust my mirror as high as I could (and am about to buy a mount that puts it even higher) but that big ass black box would irritate me to no end.

 

Old post but I am curious about how the cover comes off? I am considering adding a better mirror that requires power and also maybe tapping power in there for a dash cam. Thanks.