Aftermarket HU + FRAC Harness + Blindspot Cameras!

Don't think this has been done before, so I thought I'd give it a try because I was bored and really wanted an exercise in wiring. I did this on my 2014 Tundra SR

There may be easier ways to do this, but I've used the FRAC Harness for about 3 years and love how it overrides the head unit (even if mine is an aftermarket), and I also have no idea how to get the video to automatically show up on my head unit without the FRAC. The parts list is pretty extensive:

1) Pair of Blindspot Mirrors. (https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item-187353-Crux-CSV-TUN.html) If you you're adventurous and want to drill into the bottom of your mirrors, I'm sure you can and it'll work the same way. I opted for something that could be removable, but also more OEM. I came across these, and while they still use the same kind of grainy camera that's available on Amazon, I like how these actually replace the bottom cover of the mirror and are more "flush" with the truck.

2) Video Module (

$24 TOTMOX Video Switcher Intelligent Car Video Switcher Converter 4-Way Input Switch Video System Blind Area Spotting for Safe Driving

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BYS9CSVZ)
This lets you input 4 different channels of video, and will output 1 video signal depending on what is triggered. (I only used 3, but more on that later) Honestly, there's tons of listings on Amazon here, and I opted for the cheapest one that was available in case this experiment didn't work. I did e-mail a prototype diagram to Lou from FRAC harness to run my idea through him, and he was happy to oblige with his thoughts. It was only after I got his response did I realize I sent him a listing for the same video module from Anytime Backup Camera (Sorry, Lou!), but I ended up not buying from ABC and just bought the cheapest one available.

3) 2x Trigger Output Module (

$22 Metra Electronics AXXESS - Universal Trigger Output Module (AXUTR)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089W4P8P9)
I haven't gotten to installing this yet, but this should let you convert the pulsing turn signals into a constant signal so you can activate the cameras with your blinkers. PAC also makes one (PAC TR-7)

With that said, here's the wiring diagram! (Sorry, not an artist here)


1) The main goal here is to utilize the video module so that it can replace the front camera input on the FRAC module. As you can see, the schematic had the front camera plug into the video input right above the "A" and "H" RCA connectors. Disconnect the front camera from the FRAC module, and plug in the output of the new video module into where the old front camera output used to be plugged into.

2) Disconnect the original front camera trigger wire (for me it was the blue wire) and connect that to the new trigger wire located on the video output RCA connector. Whenever there is any video trigger from the video module, it will then "trigger" the FRAC and push video to override the HU

3) To keep functionality of the front and rear switch, we will be connecting the front camera to the rear video input of the video module. With my particular unit, the front input will be the default video unless one of the other 3 video signals have a trigger signal. (The instructions tell you to wire the front trigger to a brake wire) I don't care for my front camera to be on all the time, so instead, I plugged it into the rear input so that it can turn on and off

4) Wire up the "Rear" (now front) trigger wire back to the FRAC switch, where the original front trigger wire was. When you flip the switch, it should trigger the "rear" on the video module, which will then output video from the "rear" camera, which is the front. Your actual rear camera should be unchanged, and should function as normal when you put it in reverse OR turn the switch to actual rear

5) Wire up the Left and Right BS cameras accordingly. This is where I must put a placeholder as I haven't quite figured out the trigger signals yet. As it stands, I've currently only been able to get pulsing signals when I tap into blinker wires past the relay. I've actually also been able to get signals from the turn signal switch, but as it turns out, the L and R wires are actually always hot until it's opposite is activated (super weird). The pulsing signals unfortunately end up making the video module pulse as well. From what I've read, the trigger output modules mentioned above should be able to convert pulsing signals to constant signals for my purpose, so I'll update that when I've done so.

I've got the video wired up already, and it looks pretty good! Just gotta wait for those last parts to finally have it completed

 

aaaaand mods sorry but didn't i realize I posted this in the wrong forum. could you please be so kind as to move it?

 

Super cool project! Which little mirrors are those on your side mirrors?

 

Wow that's slick

 

They're actually a whole mirror replacement:

https://spottermirror.com/p/toyota/tundra/blind-spot-mirror-for-2007-2021-toyota-tundra-new-design/

 

Thanks!

 

Very cool, I bet once you work out the bugs this will catch on.

I prefer to change lanes by feel, so this isn’t really a mod for me



…kidding

 

I've done the same. I think we even used the same switched unit. I didn't need to modify the signal from the turn signals at all. The way the module leaves the input on for a couple seconds is enough for the next pulse to reactivate it.

I have some posts in my history about it. I can dig them up later when I'm at my computer.

 

Must be different switched unit; I tried to use the pulsing signal, and when I looked at the screen, the video from the camera started pulsing in and out as well. I'm all for keeping things simple, so if you have any pointers, please lmk!

 

Looks like I used a different switcher.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HN2VY1Y?ie=UTF8

 

Here are the posts I made last year detailing my setup:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ideas-for-2nd-gen-stereo.109746/#post-2834763
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ideas-for-2nd-gen-stereo.109746/#post-2835059
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ideas-for-2nd-gen-stereo.109746/#post-2835953
https://www.tundras.com/threads/ideas-for-2nd-gen-stereo.109746/#post-3227289


It's my favorite mod, and I have to add turn signal cameras to whatever car/truck I own next. They take a bit to get used to, but once you do, they're invaluable.

 

Do you remember where you tapped the turn signal triggers? Not sure if the wiring is that much different, but FWIW I have a 2014. I tried tapping after the flasher relay, and I'm getting weird scenarios:
1) When engine is off but car/acc is ON, only pulsing signal comes on when the turn signal is activated
2) When engine is ON, there is CONSTANT power from both turn signal wires after the relay.

I tapped AJ3 for the Right signal

 

actually, after some thinking, i think the issues i'm seeing may be caused by an option i did to retain amber DRL when I upgraded to LED headlights. going to need to test this theory out...

 

Yes - I think I had similar issues. I can't remember exactly but I think my first attempt was tapping in my the mess of wires near the fuse box. That gave me similar weird results.

Ultimately I think I tapped in under the steering wheel trim right after the wires come out of the stalk. It was either there or the wires that end up going directly to the turn bulbs.

 

Looks like since I had enabled the Amber DRL on my 2019 LED Headlights, that was causing some backfeed issues and weird scenarios with my turn signals. After disabling the amber DRL, everything works as expected.