Mr ahhweewee, Thank you so much sir for your super nice write up. I was able to install my back up camera following your instructions and your pictures. Again Thanks for sharing!

OK first time poster, long time lurker. Can someone please tell me where you tapped in the cable that powers the camera.(colors of wires,location etc.). I got the LED to come on when lights come on, but the power cables are not long enough to get into the cab. I mounted the camera on the right side, when looking at the back of the runner. So I assume you tapped something in tailgate. I was disappointed the camera didn't come with any instructions.

Hey guys, I've got the same kind of camera and ran ino a little hiccup trying to put mine in yesterday. If anyone could help me figure out which wires to connect to power the light, and an easy way to get the wires of the camera connected to the reverse taillights, I'd greatly appreciate it!

As for the light on the camera... does it connect it to the original wires that powered the light taken out? (one was green and the other white w/black stripe) If so, what is the combination that should be used? (i.e. red to green and black to white/black or vice versa?)

Green is positive (+) and white/black is negative (-), but you can always test with a meter/DMM. So, Red to Green and Black to White/Black. I assume you got it worked out by now anyway

I bought this camera: 2003-2010 Toyota 4Runner CCD NTSC Car Rear View Backup Reverse Waterproof Camera | eBay and completed the install today, with a Pioneer AVH-P4400BH in a 2004 4Runner SR5 4x4

Since they are short, I extended the power wires for the camera, fed them through the rubber channel described in the OP's install (not an easy task, I pulled the video and power wires, which were taped together, through with another wire). Then you can run them across and down the side channel on the left rear, or right I would think, to a round hole at the bottom in front of the reverse light. You can either use those pass-through connectors or connect the wires to the posts? that you see on the left and right of the light assembly. I have highlighted them in ahhweewee's original image.

I have a bunch of small screws around from building my desktop computers, so I just connected and crimped the wires into those circle connectors (electrical ring connectors?) and screwed them down, leaving slack on the wires so I can easily disconnect/replace any of the lights without unscrewing them.



The negative terminal is the one that has the black wire already going through the three of them (turn signal, brake and reverse lights).

More info:
I started with this connector for the HU: Scosche SMTA02PIO1603B 1987-Up Toyota Direct Connection Harness, but had to pop out some of the connectors on the connector that came with the unit (Pioneer AVH-P4400BH), because the direct connect harness did not include the reverse video wire (I assume the signal that comes from the reverse light), as well as some other wires. I then got them popped in to the Scosche connector (on the Pioneer hook-up side).

great upgrade, in the OP, what is the model of the camera used? I know you purchased it off eBay, was hoping to do the same project to my 4Runner

You guys who hooked up the camera
Can i cut the rca plug off the end and re splice down the line for the video feed?

The one I odered was called SONY CCD CAR REAR VIEW REVERSE CAMERA TOYOTA 4Runner. If you can't find that one, any other cam will work but this one installed without drilling.

I did just that when I installed on for a friend. I eventually had to redo it because I'm thinking oxidation started to cause problems. I re-soldered, siliconed and heatsrinked it. Didn't have an issue after that. I would just suggest making it a good clean connection and making it stay clean and moisture free.

When I ordered I odered two incase I screwed one up. The first developed a cloudy lens. May be because I was rough with it during the install. I installed the second one a year later and it lasted through all of Virginia's 4 crazy seasons. We've been over a 100 a few times in summer and as low as 10 in the winter. Snow, Ice, Rain, Fog, its holding up. I emailed the eBay seller about the problem. He send another for free one in a week even after a year. So far no problems.

sweet
thanks..
hope to get it all wrapped up this weekend....

Just a note to say this is a very helpful write-up, even after three years. We did the same install tonight and man that rubber tunnel is a pain in the butt! We kept losing the wires from the fish tape since it was so tight. I eventually coated them with dish detergent and they went through. Messy, but effective.

I'm doing a complete audio install soon, have everything picked out. Decided to do a rear camera as well and just found this thread - if the OP is still around, thanks a ton for the write up!

That turned out great

I think the camera is all set for me but where do you guys power up the display LCD with? I thought about splicing the camera and display to the wire feeding the brake light but then I thought about someday adding a front camera as well. If I just hook it up to the rear lights, it wont come on unless I am in reverse.