Rear Camera options?

Greetings. I just bought a 2013 Base Tacoma with the TSS Package. It's 4x4 with the V6. It has the touchscreen radio with AM/FM/BT/iPod but no "apps" on it. I notice on my tailgate that I have a plastic insert where a camera would be, but no camera. From what I can tell of my rearview mirror, it doesn't have an LCD display in it. Does the truck come pre-wired in the tailgate for a camera? Also, would the radio be ready to go with a camera? or does that model not support it? I'd really like to add the backup camera, but want to know if it's as easy as just buying a camera module, or if i have to do a bunch of wiring/modification.

 

Bumping this thread. I've been looking around and I haven't found any clear answers, everything i've found has been modifying it one way or another. I found the wiring for the camera, it's definitely in the tailgate so that answers my question, but I don't know about the radio. As mentioned it's the standard Display Audio System. My mirror isn't auto dimming or anything, it doesn't have a connection to the headliner so I don't think it has the screen in it. If I were to buy a camera module for the tailgate, would it just "work" on my display head unit? Or do I have to do some special wiring in the dash to get it to work on my touch screen?

 

I've already done this on my '13.....

The stock radio has a video input in it, all that you have to do is connect to it and trigger it when going into reverse. There is a guy on Ebay who sells the kit for about $70, that's what I have and it works flawlessly. You will need to purchase a camera from him too. Here is my post on another forum about it. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/6...kup-camera-radio-mod-post-install-review.html

This could be a good thing..... wiring the camera into the radio causes you to lose the grid lines on the backup camera, they live in the Tacoma mirror screen. Purchasing an aftermarket camera allows you to purchase the camera with the grid lines already in it. Ebay has used cameras too, or this guy can sell you one. Installation is easy, talk to this guy on Ebay, he is very knowledgeable and can help you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Toyota...r_View_Monitors_Cams_Kits&hash=item2583c7e9f0

 

Thanks! I was wondering about that harness but didn't know if I needed it since I didn't have the video mirror. I'll look into purchasing all that.

 

The ebay guy now also sells a full kit, including both the harness adapter, and camera and instructions with pictures. He also gives a $20 credit if you can return the old adapter intact.

Thanks to hotrod53 for his confirmation that it actually works as hoped! I've been wondering this for some time.

Just arrived. Will let you know how it goes.

 

Good luck with that, be careful when tapping into the red wire, it's tricky to get the right one.

The Ebay seller is very knowledgeable and quite the interesting guy when it comes to this type of add on. Good luck with your install, be very careful when you pull the radio that you don't scratch the dash below it when you drop it down.

 

I imagine I can put the camera anywhere. I would like to put it up front and keep the rear in my mirror on my 2013. My question is, How would I switch to the camera view on my deck? I have the Entune JBL Nav head unit.

 

Finally got around to doing the install this weekend. Worked like a champ! Dash was much easier to disassemble and get around than my CX-7 was.

For any others on this thread thinking about doing this mod, I have a base model 2013 Double Cab with the lowest level radio. All of the harnesses/inputs you need to do this mod are already in place in the truck. The camera plug is already in place in the tailgate, and a new plug needs to be added (to plug into an existing input in the radio) and two wires (one spliced in, one pinned in) need to be added to the existing connectors. Not hard at all, just need to pay attention.

hotrod53: You're totally right about the red wires. The two minor hangups for me were:

1. Getting the correct red wire to splice, but the instructions and picture were spot on, so it wasn't too tough to figure out.
2. Adding the 2nd red wire to the connector at the back of the radio. I didn't have the right sized pin-connector tool; so on the first test, the camera didn't work. I had used a tiny screwdriver to push the pin in and it wasn't making good contact. Once I figured that out, and got it set better, it worked fine.

Total install time (moving very slowly and deliberately) was about 2.5hrs. Subtract 1/2hr for trying to figure out what went wrong with pin not being in far enough, and you end up with a relatively easy mod - as long as you're careful.

Very cool, plus his new camera came with the grid lines. Perfect!

Sadly, it looks like your ebay seller (who sold me mine as well, and who knows a ton about doing this mod): http://www.ebay.com/usr/ckremernimrod1 is at least temporarily out of biz. He hasn't listed anything for about two months.

I just sent him an email to see if he wants my old harness, so hopefully he's only taking a temporary break.

Mick

 

In case you haven't moved forward on this - I just did this mod. Similar situation as you: I don't have the video rearview mirror either, and I also have the base model radio with no apps. Radio has the model number 57053 on it, next to the Toyota logo.

Once installed, camera worked perfectly through the existing radio LCD screen.

Mick

 

Does anyone have a new source for these modification harnesses? It seems that all traces of them have been removed from Ebay. I will try to email the vendor directly, but thought there might be another source. Thanks.

 

I'm about to take possession of a 2014 in the next week or so. I'm told that the '14 has it in the radio already. Since my 2013 is being lemon lawed, I had to return it to its original condition, therefore I removed my backup cam modification kit. As soon as I find out for sure that I don't need it, I'll be selling my kit. It was $69 when I bought it a few months ago, I'll make someone a deal if I don't need it anymore.

PM me in a little while, I have the entire kit with instructions and pictures, just as I purchased it.