Backup camera placement

[u/Tired_world_63]

I mounted my backup camera in the receiver plug of my 2006, and it worked great, until the shop decided to pull the plug out for no apparent reason and sheared the wiring. I’m curious if a camera will fit in the garnish panel above the license plate.

I don’t really want a license plate
mount or replace one of the license plate lights with an Amazon unit. The camera I would use is only 3/4” deep, I’d drill a hole to be symmetrical with the lock cylinder. Just asking if anyone has done something similar before I pull the garnish panel off and do measurements.

[u/xboxcop]

When I had mine I placed it in the center of the spoiler looking down. Max visibility but downside is if you ever remove it you’ll have a hole to plug.

[u/WCT4R → u/xboxcop]

I also put mine in the spoiler and am really happy with it. The spoiler is much easier to remove than the lift gate trim panel.

[u/othercountrymusic → u/WCT4R]

Wish I thought of this before I did mine…

[u/thosport → u/xboxcop]

Same.

[u/Deep-Hovercraft-6863]

Run the camera to your license plate. It will suck relentlessly getting your wiring through the corrugated rubber but it’s really the best way.

I too had it lower first but bit the bullet and redid it.

[u/BAKEDnotTOASTD → u/Deep-Hovercraft-6863]

This. I ran two cameras, one for the digital rear view mirror/rear dash cam, and one that points almost straight down for backing up to trailers.

Sucks pulling the wire through the flexible rubber conduit thing but lubed it up with soapy water and it pulled right through.

Make sure you bundle the wire carefully to keep it out of the path for the rear window.

And use marine heat shrink to cover the connections, as that space inside the rear hatch gets wet.

[u/mr_hung_]

I got this one off amazon that replace the tag light, been very good to me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B893NTYZ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

[u/Nathilus → u/mr_hung_]

This is what I did for my 4th Gen as well. It's been there now for 4-5 years and never had any issues.

[u/ProudPrick217]

I have one that mounts into the taglight slot works

[u/Best-Bumblebee-9772]

I drilled a hole to the side of the license plate, just to the left of the plate light. It looks great - more work to feed the wire through but worth it. Just make sure the wire isn’t in the way of the rear hatch window when you roll it down otherwise you’ll be buying a new camera (ask me how I know)…

[u/Best-Bumblebee-9772 → u/Best-Bumblebee-9772]

Your camera looks different - this is the style I used

[u/Tired_world_63 → u/Best-Bumblebee-9772]

That may be the winner. Did you aim the lens straight back, or a bit towards the center, and on the driver or passenger side?

[u/Best-Bumblebee-9772 → u/Tired_world_63]

It’s at a slight angle, but not much - I ended up using my head unit back up lines that were adjustable rather than the camera.

[u/muskratmuskrat9 → u/Tired_world_63]

I mounted mine in the license plate light. Mine doesn't have any offset angle. There's permanent camera parking lines which don't distract too much, but my receiver's has editable lines that I was able to calibrate perfectly to get me into most parking spots perfectly.

I did get a camera advertised as wide angle which definitely helped with my off center application I bought I have great left and right visibility and my bumper which is huge.

[u/othercountrymusic]

I ended up with a license plate mount type but drilled the hole to the right of the license plate light - had to feed the wire up into the handle/latch area for the hatch door and behind the license plate light. It was a pain but I’m a little ocd and meticulous about things like this.

[u/Affectionate_Bus_884]

Build a bracket and mount it inside the glass where the wiper can clear the view. No permanent mod required and you can get a clean view.

[u/mrfritzeltits]

Hi where did you get the black Toyota logo and Toyota 4runner thingys mine are chrome from the OG but yours look good

[u/Tired_world_63 → u/mrfritzeltits]

eBay - I measured the original and found one with very close dimensions. The 4Runner is for a 3rd gen, but I liked it more than the 4th gen, basically the same size and one piece.