Install Camera On Passenger Mirror to see Front Passenger Bumper

Last week I was in a crazy parking lot and ended up realllyyyy struggling to get a spot. Found myself wishing I had a camera that could show me the passenger side front bumper.

I bought

$40 PARKVISION Mini Car Side View Camera/Rear View Camera/Front View Camera with Rotatable Lens,Paste Installation,Upside Down Flip Image Function Without Guideline

this camera. The idea is to mount it underneath the passenger mirror as far out as I can. I did a mockup and it looked great. When I went to run the wires everything went south fast. First I broke the glass on the mirror and then I dropped a nut and a screw down into the door.... it rattles like change. I may lose my mind. I bought one of

$9 Master Magnetics Bend-It Bendable Magnetic Pick-Up Tool - Strong Retrieving Magnet for Screws, Nails, and Small Hand Tools - Ideal for Mechanics and Plumbers - 2 lb Hold - 19” L

these magnets to hopefully fish them out.

Any advice on routing the camera wires back into the cab? I took the door and mirror apart. There is definitely flexible conduit in there but I can't figure out how to add my wire. I can easily drill into the mirror and get the cable into the mirror body. But then I'm stuck.

I considered just going on the bottom of the mirror, and then in the door jamb. I've got plenty of redneck in me but that was just too far. I know people mount puddle lights under their mirrors, so I'm sure this isn't impossible. But maybe they're just tapping into the power on the mirror? Not sure.

Took some photos. Any advice would be super helpful.

Wish I had just bought a

5.8 GHz Wireless Video Transmitter and Receiver Kit for The Vehicle Backup Camera and Car Rear View Parking Monitor

wireless transmitter like this one perhaps (though some reviews are worrisome). All things considered that would probably be the easiest thing to do. I would drill a hole and run my camera cable through the bottom of the mirror. Then I could just leave the antenna in the mirror body behind the glass. I guess I could tap off of the power to the mirror adjustment, huh? Feels like I've got a possible solution...

 

This thread should get you heading in the right direction. It outlines how people are installing puddle lights in the same mirrors…you’re just running a “puddle camera”
https://www.tundras.com/threads/installing-puddle-lights-on-factory-sr5-mirrors.44755/

 

I should know by now not to do anything on the truck without checking here first. Thanks so much. Super helpful.

 

Pop that mirror panel off and feed your wires thru with a ziptie.



As far as the missing nut, it will not fall all the way down into the door.
I took a very strong magnet, felt around until I heard it catch, and shimmied back up the inside of the door.
It took a while but I got it out..

Also you can pop the end of the door wire boot off on one end and then feed your wire thru it, again using a thick zip tie.
Then pop the door boot back in place..

I had to run 2 pairs of wires into my mirrors.
One for the Muth signal mirrors and one for custom puddle lights.

 

I should have looked at your post before I posted...

 

Most mobile cameras are terrible at looking that far of a distance. I’d recommend installing a camera on the bumper corner as most cameras have a fisheye view that would allow you to see what’s in front of the bumper, and off to the side/corner. I have it on my truck and use it when I’m in places with a lot of pedestrians or on tight trails.

 

Mind sharing a photo of your setup? Especially a shot of the actual output on your screen.

I didn’t think I’d be able to get a good view of the bumper from anywhere I could mount it.

 

I've got an aftermarket front bumper but should still get similar results.

 

For reference I placed my vacuum next to the truck.



and given how low down the vacuum is I can still see it.

 

First of all, your truck is really badass. Damn. OOOook I see what you did flush mounting it with the bumper. Pretty nifty! So basically as long as the camera lens isn't touching, you're probably good! I'm guessing you probably have a pretty good sense of your bumper clearances based on this.

I have another front cam in the middle of my grill and it's pretty good for front facing stuff (lightposts, etc.) and if I'm offroading going over a hill or something where I can't see what's on the other side yet. Gives me no sense of the bumpers though. I've always felt like the Tundra is deceivingly short in the front. Normally have more room than I believe I have.

I was really hoping to be able to see the bumper itself. I was able to rig that up on my rear view camera and the piece of mind is so nice.

 

Thanks! Well if you go to T2S you can check out my setup and get an idea of how close things are.

 

Thank you all for the help! I got it sorted out today. Other than the broken mirror and a lost nut/washer I'd call it a success! I was even able to get one of the nut/washers out of the door with the magnet I ordered. No more rattling! That thread for the puddle lights was a lifesaver. I'm very happy with the outcome.