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Anyone install a Back-Up Camera on a 1st Gen?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Bman95, Feb 24, 2021.

  1. Feb 24, 2021 at 4:46 PM
    #1
    Bman95

    Bman95 [OP] New Member

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    I’m thinking of installing a backup camera on an 05 double cab. Curious to hear if anyone recommends a particular one and how difficult the install was.
     
  2. Feb 24, 2021 at 6:12 PM
    #2
    Gungoboom

    Gungoboom New Member

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    Mine is an access cab but it was very easy. I used this one

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074P45P7G?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

    It came with everything needed to include a hole saw. I drilled a hole in my tailgate latch and ran the wires through my tailgate. I can't really compare it to others as this is the only one I have installed.

    If I was doing it again I would add a spacer of some sort to angle it down more.
     
    KNABORES and APalmTree like this.
  3. Feb 24, 2021 at 6:30 PM
    #3
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    The hardest part of a camera install I have found is pulling the RCA connector through the firewall. When I had a 1st gen I installed a license plate frame camera that had infrared lights on it which worked very well at night but I really did not like the angle because I could not see the bumper except for the step under the tailgate. Here is a similar camera to what I installed: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meterk-L...afWL5GYNYkWmMvaAev3JkWbQDH8MxUw8aAs6ZEALw_wcB

    If you want the 2nd and 3rd gen "style" in the tailgate latch and aimed down I would go with a pre-angled camera like this one: https://www.amazon.com/NATIKA-Backu...&keywords=backup+camera&qid=1614219733&sr=8-4. It will give you a really good view of the whole bumper and it is a much smaller hole than the entire body of the camera like @Gungoboom has linked. That being said, I installed that exact camera he linked as a front camera in the grille on my 2nd gen and it works perfectly.
     
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  4. Feb 24, 2021 at 6:51 PM
    #4
    RR60

    RR60 New Member

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    I use this one.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BD41X4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Surprised all these cheap ones do seem to work great. While doing the job. I ran extra wires to my headunit in case I ever wanted to install a oem cam off of something from the junkyard. Oem cams are very expensive new. But cheap at junk yards.
    But so far my cheap one has been working great. Just as good as the oem cam that I have on my higher end lexus.
    Not sure how a 20.00 - 30.00 camera works as good as a 1k -2K cam but it does.
    I do occasionally remove my tail gate. So did not ant the problem with having one in the tailgate handle.
     
  5. Feb 24, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #5
    dropindeuces

    dropindeuces New Member

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    I have the license plate camera kinda like this one, I over paid for mine from a stereo shop;

    https://www.amazon.com/GreenYi-59-9...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

    I have a 06 DC as well, the install wasnt too hard but then again I had some friends help me provided I supply the beer hahaha. The hardest parts were like APalmTree said running the RCA cable which I just ran it from my stereo along the drivers side under the carpet to the back door. I drilled a hole at the bottom side step which also reminds me I forgot to seal the exposed metal and a grommet might be a good idea. Then I ran it along the under carriage to the back. The other hard part was finding a 12V power supply to power the camera which I tapped from the tow hitch backup light line.
     
  6. Feb 24, 2021 at 8:24 PM
    #6
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat New Member

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    Bman95[OP] and Outbound like this.
  7. Feb 24, 2021 at 8:26 PM
    #7
    GeezePlease

    GeezePlease New Member

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    I got a $60 wireless camera from Amazon that connects to the license plate. Tap into the reverse light and plug the screen into the 12v in the cab. If I didn't still have the original radio, I would have gone with something wired.

    https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07GDKF...abc_DD5EGV98HR7NM18K66T6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
     
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  8. Feb 24, 2021 at 10:21 PM
    #8
    dropindeuces

    dropindeuces New Member

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    This. Dammit, I wish I spent the time and found this.
     
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  9. Feb 25, 2021 at 3:11 AM
    #9
    GavinG83

    GavinG83 New Member

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    It really personal preference for the camera location. I have a new Silverado for work and it is in the tailgate handle but the negative is if the tailgate is down it is useless. My tundra I used the plate mount and it still works with the tailgate down which is my preferred location for functionality.
     
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  10. Feb 25, 2021 at 4:09 AM
    #10
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Being Old Skool trained in the ways of Sensai Invisible Force Technique, I prefer my trailer hitch to ‘feel’ things behind me. The concentration from the Driver Seat is to become One with the Hitch. Sharpens the mind and might inflict a few dents.
     
  11. Feb 25, 2021 at 4:57 AM
    #11
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    I installed a double Din Jensen unit that had provisions for both a front mount camera and a rear mount. I installed the rear cam on the bottom of the bumper, below the license plate. It works for me. The front cam went on the opening to the left of the license plate location.
    I didn't tie into the reverse power, so I have to manually select the camera to use it.

    I just found a couple eBay cameras that were being sold by sellers with good feedback. Have had no problems...
     
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  12. Feb 25, 2021 at 5:13 AM
    #12
    Outbound

    Outbound SSEM #2.5, Token AmeriCanadian

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  13. Feb 25, 2021 at 5:45 AM
    #13
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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  14. Feb 25, 2021 at 7:10 AM
    #14
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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    Does this make it so you can activate it when not in reverse, as when tailgated or stopped and want to see the vehicle behind you?
     
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  15. Feb 25, 2021 at 9:07 AM
    #15
    Kimosabe

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    I went with the master tailgaters one that is built into the handle. Easy install, the hard part is finding the trigger wire if you are given the wrong information (don't trust Crutchfield). I installed this over the weekend.
    I recommend the following:
    -ziptie the harness at camera end so you can access the plug easily in the tailgate if needed.
    -Wire the power wire to Accessory wire in trailer harness
    -Use electrical Diagram to find the right reverse trigger wire.
     
    Bobby55 likes this.
  16. Feb 25, 2021 at 3:19 PM
    #16
    N84434

    N84434 In the Frozen Tundra

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    Yup. You got it. Not that I drive while looking in the back up cam so much, but I do look forward to using the front cam while off-roading on the rugged Wisconsin mountain trails this summer
     
    Sunnier[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Feb 25, 2021 at 5:20 PM
    #17
    Riverdale21

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    I mounted a cheap Amazon camera in my tail gate handle (06 DC) and put a 4" screen on the windshield by the driver's side A pillar. I have a double din dvd touch screen stereo but wanted the camera screen in line of sight of the mirrors.

    I think Amazon sells a tail gate handle camera but they are around $150. I think total investment was around $60, for camera and screen.

    Install wasn't difficult and camera/screen only come on in reverse. There's an access panel that can be removed from the tail gate to service the latch. Fished wires through to driver's side tail light, ran video cable up to the cab along the frame, then have the monitor power piggy backed off the reverse circuit at the harness plug in the driver's side foot well. If you know basic electronics it's as easy as matching B+ and ground.

    I chose a wired camera because I've had bad luck with wireless camera signal quality. And mounted it in the tailgate handle to have a higher point of view where I can just see the edge of the bumper for distance reference.

    20210225_201507.jpg 20210225_201441.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2021
    jimf909 likes this.
  18. Mar 19, 2021 at 5:35 PM
    #18
    Larry6464

    Larry6464 New Member

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    How's the view with it in the handle? Mine is around license plate and its ok.
     
  19. Mar 19, 2021 at 8:16 PM
    #19
    Riverdale21

    Riverdale21 Speed seeker

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    I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow. It gives a good higher point of view with showing just the edge of the bumper for a distance reference.
     
  20. Mar 20, 2021 at 3:20 AM
    #20
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    You guys who mounted your cams in the tailgate handle: do you have a disconnect so you can take the tailgate off?
     
  21. Mar 20, 2021 at 4:19 AM
    #21
    Riverdale21

    Riverdale21 Speed seeker

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    The camera has a disconnect, yes. It has an RCA type connector for video and a small round plug for DC. I don't plan on removing my tail gate though. So my connection is made in the driver's side tail light.
     
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  22. Mar 20, 2021 at 5:41 AM
    #22
    Larry6464

    Larry6464 New Member

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    Ok thanks Riverside looking forward to seeing it might get me one. What did you pay for yours?
     
  23. Mar 20, 2021 at 7:10 AM
    #23
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol Brake Czar

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    Same here. I don't have any reason to remove my tailgate but if I did, it would unplug. Good question TVpierce.
     
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  24. Mar 20, 2021 at 7:20 AM
    #24
    Larry6464

    Larry6464 New Member

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    Looks good thanks Riverdale.
     
  25. Mar 20, 2021 at 8:05 AM
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    Riverdale21

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  26. Mar 20, 2021 at 8:16 AM
    #26
    Riverdale21

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    Almost forgot, since the connections are just male/female plugs for DC and AV, I not only mounted them up high in the tail light but also put water/chemical resistant heat shrink around the connectors. All of this was to keep as much moisture as possible out of the connections. My old 4Runner had the camera AV connection get corroded and video signal eventually stopped working.

    If you plan on installing one in a manner where you can remove the tail gate just wrap the connectors in electrical tape. That way you can unwrap it easily when removing the tailgate
     
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  27. Mar 20, 2021 at 5:23 PM
    #27
    abcinv

    abcinv OEM (+) Junkie

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    I went this route -

    Tundra Tailgat Camera.jpg
    Backup cam 6.jpg
     
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  28. Mar 21, 2021 at 6:28 AM
    #28
    Bman95

    Bman95 [OP] New Member

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    So I ended up going through Master Tailgaters for:
    The install wasn’t bad just time consuming for the first time doing this. Hardest part was figuring out the electrical wiring. I connected the backup camera to the wiring harness for the trailer lights. The reverse lights was the middle pin for my truck. After that I ran the RCA cable along the frame on the driver’s side and came through an opening under the driver’s seat. For power to the rear view mirror; I simply tapped into the head unit. There was a red and green wire that after much research I connected both to the power supply of the head unit. The green wire is intended to be hooked up for power with the reverse light but it didn’t matter because the camera was already hooked up to the reverse lights. It works. There is also a sensor wire for temperature that I ran along the passenger side of the vehicle and then through the firewall to a sensor that I JB Welded to the frame on the front. The temperature doesn’t always work so they are sending me a new sensor wire. Overall, the install came out great. I like both the camera and the rear view mirror LCD. It is nice to have the camera at that height and not lower in the dash.

    Thank you all that replied to this post!
     
  29. Mar 21, 2021 at 8:02 AM
    #29
    Riverdale21

    Riverdale21 Speed seeker

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    Looks like a good setup. Have you had any issues bumping the camera when opening the tailgate? I had considered mounting mine in the center like yours is, but moved it far to the left where I can get my hand solid in the handle. I thought it would be awkward spreading my fingers to open it with a center mount.
     
  30. Mar 21, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #30
    Bman95

    Bman95 [OP] New Member

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    No issues with bumping the camera because of how the camera is situated on the handle....off to the driver’s side. See below pick. The camera is built into the handle.

    20FD8B57-0DED-4402-A14B-FB2280850371.jpg
    DC45C020-3E71-42FA-94C0-725E0C3728C9.jpg
     
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