2020 Tundra TRD Pro - Front camera install

First post for me. I saw some videos on installing the Anytime Backup Camera as a front-facing camera, but I didn't find any done on a TRD Pro. I found my TRD Pro to present a unique challenge in finding a good place on the grill to install/mount the camera. I ended up cutting out a small notch in the grill to accommodate.

Pretty raw video, covers the gist I think... tutorials are not my thing

Hopefully someone will stumble upon it and find something useful in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKpQp03Bgr4

Update:
Sticking some info that may be useful from the thread/conversation below.

• What I installed (currently unavailable due to covid):
  • The product: https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com/
  • Purchased as a "full kit" here: https://www.runnin4tacos.com/collec...nytime-camera-full-kit?variant=31598265237553
    • I grabbed the 2020 kit, there is also a 2014-2019 kit.

• Functionality:
  • If the switch is left in “neutral”, the rear cam works according to OEM spec. (Comes on when in reverse only).
  • If “rear” is selected by the switch, the rear cam will show regardless of the drive mode.
  • If “front” is selected by the switch, the front cam will show regardless of the drive mode.

 

Welcome and not too shabby for your first tutorial video. I am in the middle of an install and checking out locations for my camera so I appreciate your video!

 

Any link where to get that mod you did?

thanks for the tutorial

 

Thanks, guys!

Looks like the mod kit I used is on hold/sold out due to covid :|

• Here's the product: https://www.anytimebackupcamera.com/
• I purchased it as a "full kit" (I grabbed the 2020 kit, there is also a 2014-2019 kit) from here: https://www.runnin4tacos.com/collec...nytime-camera-full-kit?variant=31598265237553

I'm bummed that I didn't record the part where I cutout the notch in the grill and attached the camera (I took a picture when I thought I was starting a video... doh!). It was super easy to cut the notch with a hacksaw blade.

 

When you have the front camera selected and when you put the gear on reverse, does it switch to the rear camera - bypassing the front?

 

If the switch is left in “neutral”, the rear cam works according to OEM spec. (Comes on when in reverse only).
If “rear” is selected by the switch, the rear cam will show regardless of the drive mode.
If “front” is selected by the switch, the front cam will show regardless of the drive mode.

 

Thanks.
The reason I asked coz TundraTex kit will bypass the front camera when the you put the gear on Reverse which make sense because you dont really need to look at the front when backing up, but you can view either camera if youre on Drive.

 

Yeah that implementation makes sense and is how I expected my system would work. I figure it may come in handy to flip to "Front" mode while turning in reverse or something, so it's nice to have the option.

 

Great video, @wacawaca . I’m waiting for the 2020 FRAC harness from @TundraTex . I’m wondering how the Anytime Backup Camera kit differs from the FRAC kit. I do like that switch that you used.

 

Rad. Nice job.

 

Nice work, sucks that the kit is sold out. However I think I'll wait for it as on my 4runner I had to run lots of wires and add diodes, relays and crap for this. PITA.

 

Yeah, bummer it’s sold out... I’m glad I nabbed mine a couple days before that happened.

I left the house for the first time in 2 weeks today... was pretty cool to be able to flip on the front or rear cams while driving. The rear cam works well as a blind spot checker on the freeway.

 

Nice. Great mod & ballsy to tear your truck apart like that.
Also love the dog barking at around 13 minutes

 

You don't give yourself enough credit. This was one of the better videos I've watched, sure the graphics and sfx weren't out of this world but it was short and sweet and covered the high points.

 

Good video...thank you

 

When I had the RCA/video signals crossed and couldn't get the cam feeds to work for ~10-15 mins, I was seriously questioning my decision to have ripped the interior apart! lol

 

Thanks for the good feedback, everyone!

 

Just got mine. Couple things. You don't have any really good shot s of your camera mount. Also that camera looks almost worthless on the front due to the very narrow FOV. Thinking I might try to find a different camera.

 

Yep, I missed a lot for sure. Mounting the camera was made difficult because of the adaptive cruise control sensor on the grill (it prevents installing the kit camera as recommended). I cut a notch in a different part of the grill and used the screw/post & nut on the camera to clamp it in place (I'm pretty sure I talked about what I did in the video, mentioning that I forgot to record the process).

I think the limited FOV I've got is due to the angle that the camera is pointed at (due to the adjustment I had to make in mounting), not the camera itself.
That being said:
1.) I still find the camera useful
2.) If you find a different camera and mounting solution, please do share the details. There's definitely room for improvement w.r.t. FOV and the mounting I did.

 

Update: I bought and installed a different camera unit (~$20) and it's a major improvement (due to a better camera mount). Due to restrictions with the mounting apparatus (and my inability to come up with some nifty solution), the camera that came with the was essentially pointed straight down with no real view of the horizon. With the update camera, I'm able to adjust the viewing angle of the camera to suit the mounting, giving me a FOV nearly identical to that of the rear facing camera.

Here's the camera I'm using now:

$18 Car Backup Camera, Rear View Camera Ultra HD 12 LED Night Vision,Waterproof Reverse Camera 140° Wide View Angel with Multiple Mount Brackets for Universal Cars,SUV,Trucks,RV and More

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VDCJWVL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

The wiring is the same for both cameras so swapping the unit was simple (just an RCA and power jack to swap in between the battery and the grill, didn't need to touch the interior or behind the dash).
I used a little JB Weld epoxy to mount the camera's mounting bracket to my grill (same location I had previously installed to). This camera mount has a hinge that allows for an adjustable angle.

Pic with the new view is attached (image quality from the camera feed looks better in person).

 

What does the installed camera look like? You have pictures of the grill with it? Looks like a lot larger FOV.

 

More pics...

*cam view is straight, I parked a little crooked and the ground has a little slant

 

Great video, I own the same truck in white also. Love the FOV, but not feeling the camera sticking out the beautiful grill and Toyota logo. I am sure there’s a better looking camera and better spot to mount it. For sure there’s more room for improvement. Great job !!

 

Anyone know if installing this voids a warranty?

 

How did you get the input onto the screen with this camera? Did you run into the cab and into the aux port or ?? Any difficulties? Thanks.. I would love to have the front camera as I find myself parking further out from walls and cables than I should as worried about hitting something, thought about a bull bar for that but don’t really want to put one on if I can help it.
Thanks..