Front Toyota Logo Camera project

[Ventil8]

front cam

[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] I had an audio shop install my front facing camera. I went out and took a look at how they ran the wires from the head unit to the engine bay. It looks like they either drilled a hole through or used an existing hole to gain access to the engine bay. I had to replace the 1st camera after it died. Here are the pics. The wires run through the drivers side and come out close by the brake fluid reservoir. I have a Kenwood head unit that accepts two video inputs for a front cam and reverse cam. I also have a Nakita cam that I bought on amazon. It works great.

 

[JVC8790]

Back from the dead

Besides the passenger side grommet (Haven't tried it yet), is there another way into the cabin? All I have to do is run one video cable (and small power wire). From what I've read the driver's side grommets are a massive pain in the ass.

Thanks for any suggestions or tips.

Regarding the logo camera, eff that, I got a Nikita camera from Amazon. Going to mount it in the front bumper. It will be an "anytime" camera. So, why abandon the logo cam?

1) Not one of them fit. I've collected a few over the years
2) They are cheap, got them from AliExpress. (reliability is crap)
3) I'd rather not dremel and mod the front logo.

I used the drivers side grommet for wiring for my lights, really wasn't that bad at all, actually probably one of the easier firewall passthroughs I've used on any vehicle.

Any thought if the larger 06-09 grille logo would work with any of these cameras? I noticed while working on swapping my grille that the 06-09 logo is quite a bit bigger, so maybe one of these cameras might work with that logo?

 

[CookieRoe]

[MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] I had an audio shop install my front facing camera. I went out and took a look at how they ran the wires from the head unit to the engine bay. It looks like they either drilled a hole through or used an existing hole to gain access to the engine bay. I had to replace the 1st camera after it died. Here are the pics. The wires run through the drivers side and come out close by the brake fluid reservoir. I have a Kenwood head unit that accepts two video inputs for a front cam and reverse cam. I also have a Nakita cam that I bought on amazon. It works great.

This will be my second Nakita camera. My camera's (from aliexpress and some cheap ones from fleabay) kept dying on me. The Nakita has lasted so far. Thanks for sharing the pictures, it is very helpful!

I used the drivers side grommet for wiring for my lights, really wasn't that bad at all, actually probably one of the easier firewall passthroughs I've used on any vehicle.

Any thought if the larger 06-09 grille logo would work with any of these cameras? I noticed while working on swapping my grille that the 06-09 logo is quite a bit bigger, so maybe one of these cameras might work with that logo?

I gave up after ordering 3 cameras and none of them fit. This was 4-5 years ago and decided to get a quality (Nakita) camera. As far as getting a logo camera to fit, MAYBE, but I'm iffy on the quality of them. Changing out a camera is easy (depending on how you wire them), but honestly I'd rather no deal with constantly going back to a mod to fix it.

Thanks for sharing pictures as well! Pretty sure I'll get this mod done before too long. When things go back to normal, I'm sure my time will evaporate yet again.

 

[J.A.]

I also tried three front facing cameras. I went with a driver side grommet routing. Some info on the installation is on my page. 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner Android Head Unit

 

[CookieRoe]

I also tried three front facing cameras. I went with a driver side grommet routing. Some info on the installation is on my page. 4th Gen Toyota 4Runner Android Head Unit

I had no idea that the driver's side grommet had a nipple that can be cut off. It seems as though it was designed for some future wire. Very helpful, thank you!

I especially love how you compare camera angles and picture the camera and the screen. I was going to attach it to the lower (black plastic) part of the grille although I did notice there is little plastic to "attach" the camera to. I was going to experiment with some metal brackets of some sort to avoid cutting the bumper. Placing a camera near the logo isn't something I considered, but after seeing your write-up, I may go that route.

Funny how you chimed in, I "prepped" the NAV-bypass module I bought from you a few years ago (I've had no time to install much of anything) and ready to install it soon. I'm still torn about getting rid of the Toyota NAV (very limited in its use), I'm a sticker for all things OEM, plus I haven't completely fallen in love with the android units out now. I may eventually cave it. Anyway, I've been thinking of getting a raspberry pi (5" or 7" monitor) and installing it into the plastic dash pocket underneath the HVAC controls. I rarely use it and would love to connect it to my phone and rear DVD monitors. I just have to figure out details.

 

[CookieRoe]

Forgot to update this thread, sorry. So, I never went with a logo camera as most of them are crap and don't fit. Here is a post I posted on "what did you do with your t4r today thread................."


Sorted out my front camera. Went with a Nakita front/rear camera. Great product. Anyway, I got a Toyota-like front camera button and used that to activate it. Screen I used is a Gentex mirror which dims, has homelink and compass. It's an anytime camera which is nice.

Here in PA, no front license plate is required so I hid it between the mounts. OF course, I have to paint it black.

Button. Illuminates amber to match the rest of them.

Couldn't mount it more forward to get rid of the bottom grille, but that is fine by me. I just wanted a camera to get a good idea of what is in front of the vehicle.

 

[importman]

Hey Cookie, Off the wall question. I looked at your Surfs in your gallery and I was wondering something. The mirror on the driver's fender. I've seen them before but I wonder what is the purpose of that? Also. is it really useful? I would never add one of them, just curious what it's all about. Thanks

 

[CookieRoe]

Hey Cookie, Off the wall question. I looked at your Surfs in your gallery and I was wondering something. The mirror on the driver's fender. I've seen them before but I wonder what is the purpose of that? Also. is it really useful? I would never add one of them, just curious what it's all about. Thanks

Yes, there are, at first, goofy looking, but they serve a function. When you look at my photos (my gallery), you notice that the fender mirrors are on the driver's side. My Surf was modified, originally it was imported to Peru with the steering wheel on the right, modded to the left (US version), but the fender mirror stayed where it was installed at the factory. They serve for the driver to see where the passenger side of the SUV is. Many, if not all JDM SUVs have these fender mirrors. They help park the SUV in Japan where space is of the essence, LOL.

I still miss my old rig:

 

[importman]

Yes, there are, at first, goofy looking, but they serve a function. When you look at my photos (my gallery), you notice that the fender mirrors are on the driver's side. My Surf was modified, originally it was imported to Peru with the steering wheel on the right, modded to the left (US version), but the fender mirror stayed where it was installed at the factory. They serve for the driver to see where the passenger side of the SUV is. Many, if not all JDM SUVs have these fender mirrors. They help park the SUV in Japan where space is of the essence, LOL.

I still miss my old rig:

Sounds logical. I had seen them in pics of different "overseas" vehicles. Thanks