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Backup camera wiring through tailgate

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by TXTundraFan, Oct 29, 2020.

  1. Oct 29, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #1
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    I will be installing a backup camera with my new aftermarket radio and was curious how the backup camera wiring goes out of the tailgate. Will I need to remove the tailgate to fish the wiring through?
     
  2. Oct 29, 2020 at 10:24 AM
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    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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  3. Oct 29, 2020 at 11:09 AM
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    TheBeast

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    I run the wire inside a wire loom along the oem harness. works great.
    alpine rear cam with new wire up to alpine HU inside truck.
    you dont need to remove tailgate. Just the access door and underneath the truck. Easier to drop the spare tire so you have more space to work.
     
  4. Oct 29, 2020 at 11:40 AM
    #4
    TundraTex

    TundraTex FRAC On!

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    Why not use the OEM wiring since it runs all the way up the the HU. I would think with the proper plug and play HU harness adapters it would work great. See pics below for 2014-2019 trucks. I haven’t checked the tech data for 2020-21 but they’re likely the same or similar at the tailgate.

    On the White XR1 camera connector. Pin 1 is Ground, Pin 2 is Cam Power, Pin 3 is Video Return (-), Pin 4 is Video (+).

    0160BD49-FC31-4FB2-AA03-C384D29352A9.jpg

    86EDD3B1-A008-4202-8DA7-813BBA65B131.jpg
     
  5. Oct 29, 2020 at 11:46 AM
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    ][v][att

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    Great info, I'm doing the same thing right now on my 2010. Is all that OEM wiring there if the truck had no nav headunit?
     
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  6. Oct 29, 2020 at 11:54 AM
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    TundraTex

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    I don’t have any 2nd Gen tech data, but if the truck has an OEM tailgate cam, there will be a Harness somewhere. It’s totally separate from the Nav functions. I believe some of the earlier trucks had a cam display in the rear view mirror and others displayed on the HU.
     
  7. Oct 29, 2020 at 1:51 PM
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    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    My 2010 SR5 didn’t come with an OEM backup camera. Will the wiring be there?
     
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  8. Oct 29, 2020 at 2:24 PM
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    Gto7419

    Gto7419 New Member

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    Better off running new wiring than using the oem. I ran the new lines through the pass side firewall bushing, down the framerail on the pass side all the way to the rear. All in wire loop and zip tied to the wiring harness that runs front to rear.
     
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  9. Oct 29, 2020 at 3:19 PM
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    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    What size wire loom do I need to get for this?
     
  10. Oct 29, 2020 at 5:21 PM
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    Gto7419

    Gto7419 New Member

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    I used 1/4"
     
  11. Oct 29, 2020 at 5:22 PM
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    ][v][att

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    I got 1/2" and plan to run four lines. Two futures while I'm doing it...
    upload_2020-10-29_20-20-39.jpg
     
  12. Oct 29, 2020 at 5:31 PM
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    Theyfzman

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    Most 2nd gen funny’s have the plug pre wired if memory serves me correctly it is kind of tucked up under the edge of the bed more on the passenger side behind the bumper. Just lay on the ground shine a light up there you should see it and mine had the plug up in the headliner to plug into the new mirror but I think you can get an adapter to run it to the HU
     
  13. Oct 29, 2020 at 5:48 PM
    #13
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    I took a look at the OEM wiring as my truck does indeed have it, and the connector by the tailgate is gunked with 10 years of dirt I wouldn't trust it. I am however going to use that to help me run the new wiring over to the driver's side of the cab.
     
  14. Oct 29, 2020 at 6:18 PM
    #14
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    What did y'all use to tap into the reverse light and ground? The 12v and ground wires aren't as long as the video wire, thus I won't be able to run them into the cab and behind the radio.
     
  15. Oct 29, 2020 at 6:48 PM
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    TheBeast

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    passenger side foot panel.
     
  16. Oct 29, 2020 at 6:59 PM
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    TXTundraFan

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    I'd have to extend both wires to make it go into the cab.
     
  17. Oct 29, 2020 at 9:00 PM
    #17
    TheBeast

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    how are you running the wires ? most aftermarket camera have plenty of cable length.
    there is a grommet below passenger foot that will get you inside the cab.
     
  18. Oct 29, 2020 at 9:59 PM
    #18
    chickunfut

    chickunfut Low-buck Ramp Truck

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    Not sure if this info will help,,,,,
    I just finished installing the same radio and back up camera in my 07. The plug at the back goes along the frame, into engine compartment, through firewall into passenger kick panel, across dash to drivers side A pillar to roof above rear view mirror.

    The factory rear view camera mirror completes the circuit when installed and sends voltage to the plug at the back. If you check it now there shouldn’t be any voltage or ground unless you have a factory camera installed.

    I reworked the harness over the rear view mirror to send 12v (switched) and ground to the plug at the rear. I pulled video + and - from the passenger kick panel and ran it behind the glove box to the back of the radio. The kick panel was the easiest location to splice into the harness.

    There’s a plug behind the radio taped to the main harness that has a reverse signal. I used weather pack connectors at the rear of the truck to complete the camera connection.

    As for the parking brake.... That radio needs to see no ground and then ground or vice versa while it’s turned on before it allows you to access most settings. If you tap into the e-brake wire you can only access settings while the brake is engaged. I tapped into an unused ground from behind the radio and ran it to a on/off switch. You push the switch on/off and can access settings anytime.

    Ran the supplied microphone under the drivers side dash up the A pillar and mounted on the visor temporally. Still looking for a better solution. I wanted to tap into the factory microphone in the overhead console but the wiring seemed goofy and I didn’t feel like messing with it.

    Radio works perfect and camera comes on in reverse or on demand when selecting the camera function.

    It would be much easier to zip tie the harness supplied with the camera along the frame to the back of the radio. Just depends how involved you want to get I guess.

    Also, the rear plug has a protective cap on it that should keep it clean. I’d take a look to see if it’s useable.
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2020
    TXTundraFan[OP] likes this.
  19. Oct 30, 2020 at 6:39 AM
    #19
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    Thank you! So you used the OEM wiring from the tailgate to the headliner near the rearview mirror, and from there ran wiring down the A-pillar around to the back of the radio?

    I just did a rough measurement of the supplied harness and I want to say I have about 10 feet of the power wires and 25 feet of the video wire to work with.
     
  20. Oct 30, 2020 at 7:02 AM
    #20
    TXTundraFan

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    I am going to install a bypass kit so that the screen isn't locked out while the truck is in motion.
     
  21. Oct 30, 2020 at 7:34 AM
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    TundraTex

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    If your video cable has a red pigtail wire on each end, it can be used to run 12volts from the head unit out to the camera power line.
     
  22. Oct 30, 2020 at 10:32 AM
    #22
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    The grommet on the driver's side, do I just poke a hole in it and fish the wiring through there? I took the trim piece off of the door sill but don't see how to remove the trim piece that the seat belt is attached to. I figured I'd need to do that.
     
  23. Oct 30, 2020 at 5:31 PM
    #23
    TXTundraFan

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    So I decided to go through the rear cab drivers side lower grommet underneath. Unfortuntely when I popped it out it decided to bounce somewhere on the gas tank and I can't reach it, so I will address that sooner rather than later. The wiring is sort of in now. How do I get it to go underneath the pillar trim where the drivers seat belt is? I still need to pull the wire up behind the gauge cluster/steering wheel and over to the radio.

    I got pretty far this evening and will have to put everything back together tomorrow. I'm also swapping out the cigarette lighter with a dual port USB plug and am troubleshooting that. I also need to run the microphone wiring up the A-pillar to the headliner.
     
  24. Oct 30, 2020 at 6:47 PM
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    ][v][att

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    Nice man, can't wait to see how it comes out. Working on mine tomorrow. Also hope to run a front cam/bumper cam.
     
  25. Oct 30, 2020 at 7:11 PM
    #25
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    Figured out the cig lighter to USB issue. The fuse for the cig lighter was blown. I am replacing the USB/AUX plugs with dual USB as well that fits perfectly in the same spot as the USB/AUX. The top one is charge only and the bottom one is connected to the new radio.

    I am excited on getting this done. I just hope I can fix the issue with the lower rear driver grommet before the next rain storm we get. It's too big to use silicone sealant on and I am hoping I can get one ordered soon and am able to get it installed.
     
  26. Oct 30, 2020 at 7:19 PM
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    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    What size and/or part number is the rubber grommet on the lower rear of the cab on the driver side?
     
  27. Oct 31, 2020 at 3:34 PM
    #27
    TXTundraFan

    TXTundraFan [OP] New Member

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    So I have everything done, got the camera wiring troubleshot so now it has power, but the only two things I need to fix now are one, the speaker sounds keep going in and out and I notice the sound comes back on when I mess with the speaker connections. Two, when I put the truck in reverse the radio doesn't automatically switch to the backup camera. I have the camera positive to a switched 12v as I want to be able to tap on the camera button whenever.

    The wiring was done by Crutchfield so I'm sure the reverse sensing wire was connected.
     
  28. Nov 1, 2020 at 11:59 AM
    #28
    TXTundraFan

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    I want to say I found 3 or 4 harnesses taped up behind the radio. You wouldn't happen to know which one it is that has the reverse signal would you?
     
  29. Nov 1, 2020 at 12:29 PM
    #29
    TXTundraFan

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    I did notice that two or three of the harnesses from the steering wheel control module didn't plug into anything in the dash and I had two unused plugs from the factory. Could one of these taped harnesses by any chance just plug into the PAC wiring?
     
  30. Nov 1, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    #30
    ][v][att

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    I'm wiring the backup cam power to the head unit so I can turn it on at will. Getting my reverse signal from the rear of the truck. If you need to tap into the reverse wire at the tail light I will save you 20 minutes. Its a red/blue wire on the bottom bulb. Here is a shot of it. I am tapping into it near a plug under the bumper. (2010 SR5)
    upload_2020-11-1_16-8-32.jpgupload_2020-11-1_16-9-9.jpg
     
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