I looked at the Kenwood ccd-2000 and other types of back-up cameras to hook up to a DNX5140, but decided to try a flush-mount one I found on ebay because it was a much cheaper price. I know, “you get what you pay for”… but my questions are this…

1)Has anybody installed a flush mount? If yes, where? It’s 1 1/8” diameter, so I was thinking possibly below the lic plate center or to the left or right inside the lic plate décor trim piece.

2)The cheap camera I’m getting only has two wires: a hot and grd. The Kenwood CCD2000 I looked at has a third (purple\wht) wire that connects to the reverse lights, so it can appearently turn on automatically in reverse but also viewable manually. Since I only have the TWO wires (hot and grd), is there a way I might be able to wire this camera so it still works both ways or will I have to choose just one option or the other (auto on or manual)??

The camera only needs hot when the 4Runner is in reverse. The reverse wire will take care of that. The HU should detect the video signal when the cam comes on and switch to the video view. That's how it worked in my BMW with a JVC HU. I plan to do the same in my 4Runner with same type of cam and JVC HU. I got my cams off ebay too. Much cheaper than the JVC cam and it looks exactly alike if you ask me. I only need to locate my 5th gen reverse wire.

there's some good info on this topic over on Yota Tech.

I'll do my best to find a relevant thread for you. But a search via YOTA TECH or even Google such as "4Runner back up camera" may yield many many threads to start your brain spinning with ideas.

At least one member has wired up their reverse camera to be switchable and selectable-so it can be on any time they want it on-or in reverse only or both. I believe it is member Rock Slide that wired up a little switch like a mini Beemer Idrive controller for exactly such a purpose and is a wealth of info on this topic.

So did you ever install your flush mount camera? I bought a similar type off of Amazon and I'm trying to think of how I want to install it (preferably without cutting into the sheetmetal). I think I have a plan to mount it so it looks close to stock in the stock location, but I'm still stumped about how I'm going to run the video wire to the head unit.

Care to share your experience?