Want a front camera on 2018 SR5

Has anyone installed a grille or bumper-mounted camera and tied it into their stock stereo head unit? Or maybe installed one and put a separate display somewhere?

I'd love a camera right below the T badge on my 2018. I have bad depth perception and have to park in tight parallel parking often. I'd love recommendations.

 

Lou @TundraTex

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2014-2020-front-rear-anytime-camera-frac-harness.13633/

 

I used the Beat-Sonic setup https://www.beatsonicusa.com/cs6ep.html I started with 1 camera on the bumper, then added 9 more cameras (underneath the truck and bumper corners) so that I can spot myself when I'm out wheelin and to eliminate my blind spots.

 

You, my friend, are my spirit animal. I’m putting this together in my head. I’ll dig through your post history. Have you done a build thread on it?

 

I have not written one up yet. Some of the guys on the forum were asking me to. If you already have a FRAC setup then all you need are:

3pXt rotary dial (3pole and the X = number of cameras you want - I have a 3p10t dial for my 10 cameras, but I'm adding one more so I just picked up a 3p11t)
Like this (you'll need to get the knob as well) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJ46UX4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$9 uxcell a14061600ux0016 Plastic 6mm Shaft Dia Volume Knob Cap K7-2 for Potentiometer Pot Pack of 2

https://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-a1406...keywords=6mm+knob+dial&qid=1605196696&sr=8-10

One male to male RCA extension:

$7 Fosmon 2-RCA Male to Male Stereo Audio Cable, Dual RCA Connector for Clear Sound - 6FT

https://www.amazon.com/2-RCA-Fosmon...words=male+to+male+rca&qid=1605150553&sr=8-21

Multiple RCA to bare wire:

$12 Rockford Fosgate RFIF2SW Speaker Line to Female RCA Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G352P2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The rotary dial has 3 common terminals:
Terminal 1: RCA cable 1 of 2
Terminal 2: RCA cable 2 of 2
Terminal 3: ACC power

Image should be self explanatory.

 

I’ve got a 6 already.

glad to know I’m not a crazy person thinking cameras underneath the truck would be money. I already own the FRAC harness from running4tacos.

do you have any photos of the cams you used and mounting locations?

is dust and mud an issue? I have the ARB and have this vision of finding a way to have air and water nearby and a momentary button to wash all 6 of mine at once and then another momentary for my on board air to dry them. (Will get tank If have to)



I have searched and searched and can’t believe I hadn’t run into you yet. This is great news for me. Proof of concept has worked!!

 

Here are the cameras I used:
These give you good straight ahead views without the fisheye distortion.
2 x

NATIKA 720P Backup/Front View Camera, IP69K Waterproof Starlight Night Vision High Definition and Super Wide Angle Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Jeep Trucks SUV RV Van

https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Waterproof-Starlight-1280×720-Definition/dp/B078ZZSKQ2/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Natika&qid=1605190959&sr=8-7

These give you a flush or bracket mount option AND it allows you to rotate the camera so that the view is level.
9 x

$33 NATIKA Backup/Front/Side View Camera: No Distortion Effect Starlight Night Vision HD Metal Flush or Surface Mount 720P AHD and TVI Reverse Rear View Backup Camera for Cars Pickup Trucks SUVs RVs Vans

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083SF5VVN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is where my cameras are mounted:
1. FDB (front driver bumper) Flush mount (1 of 9 cameras)
2. FDL (front driver LCA) Bracket mount (2 of 9 cameras)
3. FCD (front center diff) Bracket mount (1 of 2 cameras)
4. FCB (front center bumper) Bracket mount (2 of 2 cameras)
5. FPL (front passenger LCA) Bracket mount (3 of 9 cameras)
6. FPB (front passenger bumper) Flush mount (4 of 9 cameras)
7. RPB (rear passenger bumper) Flush mount (5 of 9 cameras)
8. RPD (rear passenger diff) Bracket mount (6 of 9 cameras)
9. RCD (rear center diff) Bracket mount (7 of 9 cameras)
10. RDD (rear driver diff) Bracket mount (8 of 9 cameras)
11. RDB (rear driver bumper) Flush mount (9 of 9 cameras)

Gorilla Glue double sided tape works really well for securing the bracket mounted cameras.



Cameras getting dirty are only an issue for the rear diff cameras when you actually go through mud or go through some water and then get dry dust onto the camera, which isn't that big of a deal. The only time I use the rear diff cameras is when I have to go over an obstacle, which I have to get out of the truck to determine my line, at which time I just quickly clean the camera lenses before getting back in the truck. I went wheelin this past weekend - there was snow, mud, water, you name it and I only had to wipe down the rear diff cameras once.

For daily driving I find cameras 6 & 7 to be really useful. I use 7 to see my rear blind spot. I use 6 when there are a lot of pedestrians (parking lots, downtown, etc.) cuz I sometimes can't see people walking in front.
Camera 4 is what I use the most when on the trail as it allows me to see what's on the other side of a hill as I begin to crest it.
I'm adding camera 3 to better judge the height of an obstacle as I approach it.

Also, wanted to note that camera 3 & 4 will be near the 12o'clock position on the rotary switch so that I instantly know which cameras I'm pointing at without taking my eyes off the road/trail.

I'll do a full write up soon since I'm adding another camera.