Pioneer AVH-2300NEX w\ backup cam install in 2005 Tacoma

I fumbled my way through this so I figured I would post some lessons learned for people. I also have a few questions for the experts on here. I am going to do the same to my buddy's 08 soon. I learned a lot of this from different threads on here and I am kind of putting it all together.

Parts list from Amazon:

Head Unit:

Pioneer AVH-2300NEX Multimedia DVD Receiver with 7" WVGA Display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Built-in Bluetooth, SiriusXM-Ready and AppRadio Mode +

https://www.amazon.com/d/Dash-DVD-V...1547563845&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=nex+2300+AVH

Scosche Dash Kit:

$32 SCOSCHE TA2053B Car Stereo Complete Basic Installation Double DIN Dash Kit for 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014KOA42/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tailgate handle w\ cam:

$88 Master Tailgaters Replacement for Toyota Tacoma 2005-2014 Black Tailgate Backup Reverse Handle with Camera

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DCRIS1U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wiring Harness:

$5 Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up Power 4 Speaker

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BEQJ8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

T-Connectors:

$9 Nilight - 50004R 120 Pcs/60 Pairs Quick Splice Wire Terminals T-Tap Self-stripping with Nylon Fully Insulated Male Quick Disconnects Kit, 2 Years Warranty

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CP987BN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tiny USB Cable for Phone:

$6 Short USB to USB C Cable, CableCreation USB A to USB C 3A Fast Charge, Compatible with MacBook (Pro), Galaxy S20/S10/S9, Pixel 4 XL, GoPro Hero 7 6 5, 15cm /0.5ft Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012V56D2A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you screw up the Pioneer harness:

$13 Xtenzi 16 Pin Car Radio Wire Harness Compatible with Pioneer CD DVD Navigation in-Dash - XT91011-5

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MH3GZ1S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Blue butt connectors from auto parts store.

 

Brackets: I reused the stock brackets with the Scosche housing and it works well. They key thing I found is to put the head unit and the dash kit on at the same time. I had fitment issues when I tried to snap the kit on over the already bolted in head unit.

Mic: I have heard people complain about sound clarity when mounting the mic on the A-pillar. I mounted mine here and tested it and I have had no issues.

USB out for Phone\Android Auto: The little tray by your right knee. I took it out and drilled a hole in it. I ran the USB extension that came with the CD player into that tray. Then I use that little phone cable in the parts list to plug my phone in and sit it in that tray.

Parking Brake: You NEED this for Android Auto. Don't rip it out of the harness like I did or you will need to buy a new one! I grounded the parking brake to the lovely bolt behind the kick panel. This will not allow you to watch DVDs but it will allow you to use Android auto and configure the head unit. (background, etc.)

Tailgate Camera: I had to drill a hole in the bottom of the tailgate to feed the wires and connector through. Later models have a drain hole you can use. Mine did not. I used a T connector to tap into the red reverse light wire right behind my reverse lamp (pull the tail light). I grounded the ground wire to the metal part of the bed behind the tail light after wire brushing off some paint. I ran the video wire for the camera along the frame and up through a rubber grommet under the drivers seat. I stabbed it with a screwdriver and shoved it through. Then I ran it under the door sill\ kick plate up to the head unit.

Harness: The colors literally match up perfectly. Cap the wires you don't use.

 

My question for the Pioneer experts:

My backup cam only works when I am in reverse AND I touch the camera button (the two squares). That's fine, I get it, I probably should have ran a wire to the reverse signal input wire on the stereo harness. BUT WAIT. Sometimes when I go into reverse the image automagically pops up on my screen. So it works auto sometimes and needs manual intervention other times. Thoughts?

 

so what wire do you have going to the pioneer reverse signal wire ( purple/white ) if any? if you do what is it or where is it coming from?

 

None. It is capped.

 

if you don't have that wire hooked up then it doesn't know when your in reverse.
you need to hook it up to a red/white stripe in the drivers kick 12 pin gray plug pin 1.
that's for starters.
I always hook power up to the radio for the camera and your ground can cause you issues because the bed is not always a good ground per say. I always try to install them to the frame rail. ( I do this professionally for a living ). by doing this my way you can use the camera source so you can watch the camera while you in any position not just reverse

 

This tailgate handle came with a short power cable meant to hook to the reverse light for power. Are you saying extend that up into the cab to the kick panel or no? Or just leave it and run a wire from the back of the headunit to the red\white in the kick panel? I figured that someone would mention something about my ground being suspect and I had hoped that would be the issue. I will change that chassis ground for sure.

 

“If” you power your camera via reverse only, then you won’t get use the camera source feature of the radio. That’s your call but I’m not a fan of powering cameras by the reverse signal because it cane be “dirty power”.
Pm me your phone number.