Backup Camera, Towing, and Rear Air Suspension!

[mshrake]

I just picked up my truck this morning, and I have to tell you, there is no other SUV as cool and functional as this!

I ordered the Nav w/ backup camera, and rear air suspension to help me out towing, and I was not disappointed! Actually I was very surprised how well it worked.

Basically, I set the rear suspension to low, use the camera to align the ball with the tongue of the trailer, and then raise the suspension back up! That is all it takes! No getting out multiple times to see how close I am, no asking someone to help guide me in....

This is by far the finest SUV made for towing!!!

Here are this pictures of the different suspension settings, and the camera view:

Low setting

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Normal setting

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High setting

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Camera View

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My new truck!!!

 

[sharp4runr]

That's awesome bro! I've always wondered how the backup camera works wit the Nav, thanks for enlightening me. Nice looking 4Runner too

 

[Biff]

Thats is so cool, I always wondered how the air suspension worked. What kind of clearance do you get when you max out the suspension?

 

[mshrake]

You get about 2 inches more clearance with it in the high position. It is very cool to watch it go up and down!

Anyone who tows much should find a way to get it. Has anyone determined if the other nav units people are using can accept the backup camera?

Mike

 

[tkr128]

Wow that is neat!

 

[Biff]

Does the suspension level out the truck?

 

[EXTEX]

mshrake

That is one nice truck! Congrats. Did they do the tire change thing for you?

 

[mshrake]

Biff: Yes, it will automatically level out the truck, even with a 6500 pound boat behind it!

EXTEX: No, they did not do the tire thing for me It ended up coming with Brifgestone Dueher H/T's. I will give them a shot for a while.

I also had to purchase a 7-4 pin wiring harness adapter to get the right connector for my boat. Not bad, it was only $10.

Mike

 

[gsr2is300]

mrshake,

Congratulations on your new 4Runner. I am looking at purchasing the same 4Runner minus the suspension.

Quick question about the NAV...Does it have the ability to control a CD changer like the GX470? I have heard different things about the CD functions in the NAV. I have the factory NAV in my IS300 and I absolutely love it. I am concerned about being able to use one CD with the 4Runner.

 

[mshrake]

So far I have not figured out if it can or cannot accept a changer. I also have not been able to get a good answer about an AUX input.

If having a changer or AUX input capabilites is important, I would probably not get the factory nav.

It looks like I am going to use the Alpine CRA-1667RF FM modulator/CD changer controller and the Alpine CHA-S634 MP3 CD Changer. I am using the same modulator in my wifes BMW and it is the best sounding one I have heard. Not as good an an AUX input, but I cannot live with just a single CD forever. The Alpine CRA-1667RF also has an AUX input, so it also provides me a place to connect my iPod.

Mike

 

[4Runner2003]

Does anyone know if you can add the camera to the 2003 4Runenr w/NAV?

 

[mshrake]

I am not sure. When I get enough guts to pull out my nav unit I will take a picture of the back so people can compare the differences. I am very curious where the camera connects myself. I hope it is as simple as an RCA connector labels "Video In", but I am sure it will not be that easy

Mike

 

[4Runner2003]

Mike, I just saw you are from Atlanta . The truck looks great too btw. Just keep that yellow pollen off

 

[mshrake]

Thanks, the pollen has been worse than ever this year!

I just finished pulling off the running boards. It is dark, but I think it looks better already! I got very tired of hitting the back of my leg every time I got out of it.

Do any of the local 4Runners get together and go find trails? Now that I have it, I want to see what she can do!

BTW, how is yours doing? I just looked at the pictures of your accident... Did not look pretty...

Mike

 

[4Runner2003]

It runs great. No problems at all. The guys at Roswell Toyota did a killer job. In fact, rides a little smoother I think. The only thing that did not improve was the gas mileage.

I would like to hit a trail, but I am still chicken that I'll do something stupid, so it would be cool to find a group and hit some trails.

 

[Hawk]

the nav works with the changer. you can control it with the touch screen or steering wheel controls.

i bought the changer really just to have the wiring in the console. i am hoping to somehow rig my rca lyra mp3 player to conect via the changer controls and wiring in the console.

hawk

 

[mdpdretired]

Did the dealer install the changer? Do you know what type of plug goes into the aux input? And finally, what type of plug is in the console for the changer? I would like to direct wire my satelite radio to the Nav system.

 

[mshrake]

Great news that the changer works with NAV!!!

Since that is the case, I SHOULD be able to just purchase the Blitsafe AUX in adaper, and not attach the factory changer right???

How do you access the changer? Hit the CD button twice???

Mike

 

[Hawk]

my changer is factory. i really don't need one, but i figurred it would cost twice as much to add later so i went ahead and plinked down the extra 500. also, i really wanted the wiring, just in case the adapter could be rigged for an mp3 player.

as far as the nav running a sat radio. i have no idea. i think you would run into software problems though.

and i don't know if the blitzsafe would work. i would like to do the same thing though if it does. let us know.

i don't know what the input looks like for either. i have not had the radio out and the input for the changer is at the bottom of the console and inaccessible.

hawk