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

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.

 

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

$17 Backup Camera Flush Mount, Metal Housing 170°Wide View Angle Rear/Side/Front View Camera for Car, Clear Night Vision IP69 Waterproof Reverse Camera for Vehicle SUV RV Pickup, 18.5mm, 12V/24V, Black

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.

 

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:

$40 NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K Waterproof Great Night Vision HD and Super Wide Angle Metal OEM Style Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans (Black)

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.

 

I use this one.

LFPartS 8 LED Lights Night Vision HD Backup Camera 170 Degree Wide Viewing Angle Car Rear View Camera Waterproof Shockproof Trailer Metal Hitch Tube Cover Fits 2" Receivers

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.

 

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

Car License Plate Trajectory Backup Camera with Dynamic Moving Guide Line, GreenYi-59 2in1 960x720 Waterproof Night Vision Rear View Camera with Wide View Angle

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.

 

This seems to be the most popular I see used and well regarded.

https://www.mastertailgaters.com/co...amera-replacement-for-toyota-tundra-2000-2006

 

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.

Wireless Backup Camera HD 1080P 5“ Split Screen Rear View Monitor Kit Night Vision Waterproof Bluetooth Reverse Cam Stable WIFI Digital Signals for Car Truck Minivan Small RV Two Channels DoHonest S23

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07GDKF...abc_DD5EGV98HR7NM18K66T6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

This. Dammit, I wish I spent the time and found this.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

Bookmarked. This looks like a great option since I want a cleaner more OEM type of install.

 

Install is pretty easy once you have a plan. I talk about installing mine in this thread. Post #46.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/02-daily-driver-weekend-camping-rig.47777/page-2

 

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?

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

How's the view with it in the handle? Mine is around license plate and its ok.

 

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.

 

You guys who mounted your cams in the tailgate handle: do you have a disconnect so you can take the tailgate off?

 

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.

 

Ok thanks Riverside looking forward to seeing it might get me one. What did you pay for yours?

 

Same here. I don't have any reason to remove my tailgate but if I did, it would unplug. Good question TVpierce.

 

Looks good thanks Riverdale.

 

Maybe about $50-$60 for the screen and camera. Bought them seperate on Amazon. If you have an aftermarket stereo that can display the camera feed you don't have to buy the seperate screen. I have a DVD player stereo but like having the monitor by the A pillar so my mirrors can stay in line of sight.

Here's my components (actual items installed):

Back up Camera for Car,Rear View/Front Facing Camera, HD 1080P Reverse Small Camera with 170 Degree Angle,Starlight Night Vision, IP68 Waterproof Vehicle Backup Cameras.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SNHHGKY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_RW56CBCF5FPTFK1VFYAE?_encoding=UTF8

$23 Padarsey 5" TFT LCD Car Color Rear View Monitor Screen for Parking Rear View Backup Camera with 2 Optional Bracket(Suckers Mount and Normal Adhesive Stand)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LGRQRMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_15K744V8GY2RNDKAVG5Y?_encoding=UTF8

$9 30FT 10M RCA to RCA AV Reverse Rear View Parking Camera Video Extension Cable for Long Truck Bus

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBNS1FF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_2B7S93QJWVT22EPC7R8B?_encoding=UTF8

 

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

 

I went this route -

 

So I ended up going through Master Tailgaters for:

• Backup Camera (MT-TT00B)
• https://www.mastertailgaters.com/co...amera-replacement-for-toyota-tundra-2000-2006
  
• Rear View Mirror Display (MR-43-A1TC)
• https://www.mastertailgaters.com/co...ghtness-lcd-compass-temperature-universal-fit
  
• There is a 10% discount when you first login into the site that helps on the price.

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!

 

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.

 

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.