Which front camera make/model and where mounted on 2018 Limited

I’ve forum searched and found some info on front camera builds... however, I’m having difficulty determining a mounting location and installation bracket build for a front camera on my 2018 Limited. Has anyone found a non obtrusive location on the Limited grille, and if so, which camera and how did you mount it? Thanks in advance for any particulars that you can provide, and if possible pictures of your success.

 

Ok, I did a little trial/error experimentation... and therefore will answer my own question in case others have a similar inquiry regarding where to mount a front camera on the Limited model Tacoma grille.

Camera model used (comes ready for use as a front camera, can be flipped for backup):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXJ66DW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounted between bumper and valance using included camera mount... no additional hardware necessary, I used the existing bolt that holds the standard components together:







Mounting location allows for some of the bumper to be seen to assist with judging distance to objects (top of display). The camera model selected has an option to display distance guidelines, I’m just not sure I want to turn them on for this application.

 

How did you tie it into the radio head? Please share. Thank you.

Edit: I really like this camera. Especially the mount.

 

Looks good

 

There are several anytime backup / front camera mods available, I didn’t want additional switches (my 2018 Limited trim Tacoma doesn’t have any switch blanks available except for the large one on the driver’s side left lower panel), therefore I went with the car-solutions unit. That model allows for activating the camera by using existing steering wheel switches, just double tap the mode button to turn on... and use the up/down arrows to switch between front and back cameras. Plug and play, no need for cutting/splicing/soldering, easy install, and can return to stock without hassle anytime. Lots of other similar accessories available from these folks:

https://car-solutions.com/en/rfcc-ttg2-car-camera-control-system-for-toyota-touch-2-entune.php

Like I mentioned, there are several other options... many of which have “how to” builds on TW, this unit’s application is similar to those.

 

Thank you for the link and explanation. I have the exact Tacoma as you. I will look into it when I have a chance. I don't have access to a desktop right now.

What I want is an all on one solution that ties 3 cams into my Entune display: the existing rear view cam, a parking cam like yours and a front view cam mounted on the existing windshield Gopro mount that I could continuously record while the truck is powered. I thought I had seen that solution on this forum but things are so hard to find on this site. I should've bookmarked it but i didnt.

I know i can do the diode routing solution but am still looking for the perfect solution.

Again, thank you.

Edit: I looked at the link you provided. It looks really promising. I may contact them and ask if they'd be able to incorporate a third camera. They price certainly is right.

 

Entirely possible (I believe)... definitely contact them, they respond by email relatively quickly. The manual wiring diagram shows the R-Cam RCA connection which isn’t used on the 2018 Entune w/JBL, I only needed to utilize the F-Cam input and 12v power supply. The factory rear camera activates through the magic of the patch harness connection, thereby leaving access to another camera input. One note, the R-Cam power connection on the harness is 6v not the standard 12v, I’m not sure how you plan to power the GoPro, just FYI. You’ll just need a solution to “override” the factory backup camera and switch to the car-solutions R-Cam input. May be as simple as applying power to the R-Cam, for an automatic override. Good luck and report back...

Full wiring diagram and manual:

https://car-solutions.com/nfs/product/875000/file/rfcc_camera_control_system_manual_en.pdf

 

Thanks @Tacoma3rdGen for posting all the info.
I just ordered the same setup.

 

Sub for later

 

@porterx have you come up with any solutions yet? I have a 16 TRD and want to do 3 cameras: Front, Rear, and Inside truck bed. I’d like the images to come up on my Entune, but I’d like to use push switches for them.

Too much to do?

 

It's fairly easy to do if you have any electronics knowledge. I got a pic from here on how to wire it up. It's the diode method. It's just matter of wiring into a video quality 4 position rotary switch and into the head unit where the rear camera goes in. It will be fairly time consuming though. That's why I've been looking into standalone dashcams and the RFCC harness.

 

In the above diagram it shows the power to the front cam as being connected red-to-black (at #8). Did you connect it that way? (Doesn’t seem right.)

 

That is NOT a correct interpretation, the +/- connection follow +/- (red to red, black to black) to the front 12v camera... no additional ground or power is required. Also, no change/connection is required for the factory rear camera, it connects through the normal factory method, leaving both the rear RCA and power connections free. You may also disregard the red wire coming from any RCA connector, as that isn’t needed with the car-solutions system.

 

Thanks!

 

Oops... read the question too fast... edit original reply. Red to red and black to black is the correct wiring scheme... the diagram is misleading.

 

I just bought this camera. Thanks. There was another one just like it that said it is marine ready but some of the reviews said it will let water in over time. And it had a CMD cam. Not sure what that is but I know CMOS is a cheaper sensor type. The one you bought has CCD sensor which I know is better than CMOS so I bought it.

As for the RFCC setup, I thought it was fairly cheap but it looks like there is a $50 to $80 shipping fee depending on the shipper you choose. Is that how you did it or did you find a cheaper shipping solution?

 

So far the camera has held up in snow, rain, freezing rain, cinder and salt mix (post snow storm), and a few car washes... no issue to date. I believe the mounting location I choose provides some minor protection from these elements.

 

I thought I had asked in this post but now I can't find my question so thought I'd ask it here. The shipping for the RFCC that you linked to shows as anywhere from $50 to $80 depending on which shipper you use and is of Eastern European Origin. Is that what you found as well or were there cheaper shipping options when you bought yours? Do you know of any other sources that don't kill you with shipping?

I did find a RFCC TTG1 Car Camera Control System for Toyota Touch, Scion Bespoke+Free Camera for $122 on ebay but it says it only works on 2012-2014 Tacomas. Does anyone know if the TTG1 will actually work in the 3rd gen Tacoma and what is the difference between the TTG1 and the TTG2?

TIA.

Edit: I found the RFCC TTG2 on ebay for $122 and free shipping. Awesome. But there are 0 available. I guess I'll keep and eye out in case they replenish their stock. I did send the seller a message asking if and when they would be relisting it on ebay. RFCC TTG2 Car Camera Control Switch System for Toyota Touch 2/Entune+Free Camera

 

For 3rd gen you’ll need the TTG2 (Toyota Touch 2) system... I paid $148 for everything, including PayPal and shipping fees. Received the product in 4 days via FedEx:

 

Nice.... I wasn't aware of these guys. I did the anytime backup camera mod and am honestly pretty happy with it. However, had I know that there was an 'OEM switch' functional option, I might have gone that route. There's something I've been thinking about lately but it would require another switch.... oh yeah, the 2Lo mod. I don't have any switch blanks left so this might solve that problem as I'd get my switch blank back from my camera mod.