Best option for installing a backup camera with an aftermarket HU

Hello!

I am wanting to install a backup camera in my 2010 Tundra Crewmax and am overwhelmed with all of the different options.

I have an aftermarket touch screen Head unit and I’m just not sure if I should go with the tailgate handle replacement style, license plate frame style, or just the camera you mount yourself.

So I’m curious those that have installed a backup camera what seems to be the best option based on your experience?

[EDIT]
I ended up purchasing this $15 license plate camera off eBay https://shorturl.at/tvRU2 and I'm happy with the results. I installed the camera in the way I did so that I could check it at anytime in case I was towing and wanted to see what was going on. The camera also automatically pops up on the Head unit when going in reverse.

Overall, I am very happy with only paying $15 for this camera. I honestly think the camera is comparable to what you would expect with stock. I think it's slightly better than my wife's 2019 highlander stock back up camera if that gives you any idea. I will say I would prefer for it to be in the tailgate handle and just have the sleekness, but I don't think it stands out or looks tacky, and I'm someone that is usually really bothered by not having a clean look.

One thing VERY IMPORTANT to note: The wiring was barely long enough for the way I ran it to connect. When I say it was barely long enough, I am not joking. The yellow camera wire barely connected and probably had 1" of slack. I would suggest buying a longer extension from the camera side connector or finding a camera that comes with a 25ft+ wire. This was 20ft and was literally BARELY long enough.

Started by taking the rear passenger seat out, pulling up the carpet, making a small hole in the grommet, and then fishing the 20ft camera wire through.


I then ran the wire along the door jam panels to the front of the vehicle, took the dash apart, and then fished that wire up to my Kenwood head unit. I put the video cable into the rear camera spot and then used a tap to pull power from the constant 12v to the Head Unit to power the camera.



After getting power for the camera, I connected the reverse wire to the reverse power in the passenger kick panel so that the head unit would show the camera when I went into reverse automatically. I used a butt connector to connect the reverse wire and a universal 18 gauge wire and fished this through to the passenger side kick panel.


Here I used another Posi-Tap to tap into the light blue wire on the bottom right white wire connection. I found this on another post in the forum and confirmed with Crutchfield.

After wiring everything up front I went back to the wire I fished through the grommet behind the rear seat and ran that wire along the other stock wiring clump that goes to the tailgate. I then found a spot to use a self-tapping screw to ground the camera wire to the frame. I stripped the wire back pretty far and then wrapped the wiring around the screw so it wouldn't fall and screwed into the frame. I also made sure to use zip ties to hold the wire with the stock wiring.


After this, I used a butt connector to connect the power wire running we connected earlier from the back of the head unit. I also connected the yellow camera wire, but I don't have a picture as it was underneath the truck by the frame that I connected it.


I did not take a picture of installing the camera to the license plate, but it's pretty straight forward and the eBay post shows a solid image of it. Please note that the camera quality is actually slightly better than the picture shows as the sun was going down and blasting the camera, and taking a picture of the screen definitely lowers the quality. Overall, very happy.

 

Tailgate handle style as long as you know it will be more fisheye than oem. Can you just get the oem?

 

I have no idea if they even sell the OEM handle anymore. I also don’t want to pay a crazy oem price. However it would be nice to get oem so I know it works well, and the handle quality isn’t complete crap.

 

If they had a oem camera in 2010, I would look hard at that. But I have the can’t remember big name in aftermarket for a 2005 and it’s great but too wide angle.

 

I installed a license plate frame camera in my '07. I t works just fine and gives me a great view for hooking up trailers - RV / horse / utility. It was an easy install to my aftermarket HU.

 

License plate frame.......perfect view for backing and hitching. Reasonable price and no distortion of angle of view. Easy to run signal wires into cab of truck and tap into power under truck.

 

I am looking to do the same thing with my 2011. I agree that while there is a lot of information on this, it is overwhelming. I have to start from scratch with a new HU and then on to the backup camera. Will be watching this thread.

 

Yeah I was actually looking at something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304697673439 considering most of the backup cameras are all the same crappy technology. If I get it I can let you know how it is.

 

Go with master tailgaters. I've had mine installed for a year or two now and it works great. Integrated right into the handle and works fine.

https://www.mastertailgaters.com/co...p-camera-handle-2007-2013-color-ccd-brand-new

 

Please do. Interested to see how it is and goes.

 

I was thinking of going with this, but I've seen a lot of negative reviews on the handle being cheap and snapping or breaking.

 

subbed, I need one too.

 

I haven't had that experience, but you could swap out the internals of the handles if you're worried about cheap parts. I saved my old handle just for that reason.

 

Wasn't there a factory handle with camera in it? I can't seem to find it anymore.

 

I'm not sure, I haven't been able to find an OEM one either. I did buy the $15 ebay camera and will install and post my thoughts. Might help other's decide what they want to do. Most camera's have the same level of quality and I think they all use the same cheap camera's. So hopefully this is a good answer to the problem and others will be able to only spend $15 as well and be happy with the results.

 

I wonder if a 2.5 gen one would fit. In the tailgate removal instructions it has a note for disconnecting the camera wire.

 

I am not sure, but I'm gonna start with this and go from there!

 

I've had this one in there for over a year now. Hasen't snapped yet. It's important to make sure it's greased when you install it. In my opinion this is the only way to get a clean factory looks. The license plate frame cameras always looks like so much of an afterthought.

 

I went with this kit for my 2010 DC. Has the connectors to use the factory wiring near the rear bumper. Other side of the connection is in the overhead console near rear view mirror though.

https://tailgatecamera.com/collections/toyota/products/tailgate-backup-camera-and-4-3-mirror-monitor-for-2007-2009?variant=13121459519532

They sell just the handle with camera as well. Fast shipping

 

I just updated the post to show my install and thoughts on the $15 backup camera I went with if you are curious!

 

I have an 08 tundra with aftermarket radio and I assume backup camera.
Putting in reverse gets message on radio, can't recall of top of head.

Thread has good info to trace down and see if wire is severed or camera is junk. Radio is good, took it out and put another camera in the input slot and it worked.

Need to get unlazy lol
Thanks