Pictures, please. STOCK backup camera on a Gen2.

[datsa noydb]

I have looked through several of the threads where one member or another has added a camera system to the van, but they have all been add-ons that bolted to the license plate mounts. I would like to see some pictures of where Toyota mounted the camera, as I can not find any in the owner's manual or the service manual.

A second-choice option would be a camera that mounts in one of the license plate light recesses, along with a smaller light. I know it would be slightly off-center, but not enough to really matter.

I am at yet another hotel with nothing to do (after work), and my fingernails are disgustingly clean. It's time for another project.

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[bill_toyota]

Not very good pics but here they are. It was dark out and this was from my cell phone.

[datsa noydb]

Thanks, Bill, best (only) pictures I have seen yet!

Now that I know where to look, I just went out and found the molding line in the plastic where it would mount.

It's a bit more off-center than the replacement light idea, but opens up more choices in cameras.

.

[fibber2]

As you know the OEM unit from Toyota is brutally expensive, and most aftermarket units are too generic to fit a spot like that. I'm also looking for a good camera to go with a new audio head unit, and stumbled upon this site. Unfortunately they only have models for the Oz market, but it does show that someone out there does sell an OEM style unit at a reasonable price.

http://www.neltronics.com.au/quickfit.htm

[fibber2]

Wonder if we could make one of these fit?
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/...ta-camera.html
Most of the other catalogs I looked at had minimum orders of 50 pieces. These guys sell single units. But which one

[fibber2]

This looks very interesting:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/49...=10&t=12&cids=

I sent the seller the following questions this morning:

Questions for delivery to United States
1) Price with shipping for single unit. This is for a car club trying out several competing camera models.
2) Does this replace the license plate light?
3) Does the built-in LED light replace the license plate light that is now removed? Is it on all the time with the car's lights to illuminate the license plate? Required by USA regulations.
4) NTSC output at receiver for input to in-dash video screen?
5) Is the wireless picture quality the same as the picture quality of a wired system? Much worse??
6) Can you please provide dimensions of the unit? Mounting spot on USA model Toyota maybe be smaller than the JDM models.

[bill_toyota]

Why not just go to ebay? Make them an offer. It'll be even cheaper. I would say you can get this for $15.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAR-REAR-VIE...item35b8d0efb9

[fibber2]

Bill, I've done some work on imaging chips in the lab over the years (CCD / CMOS / CID), and in general I just don't think low cost CMOS sensors would be well suited to the low light conditions of a backup camera. The technology is making inroads at the 35mm SLR camera level, but for this app, I'd spend a few $$ more for a CCD unit.

I'm also leaning towards the idea of a wireless system as I just don't want to have to gut the interior to run coax.

One possible exception - according to the electrical wiring supplement, there should be a 4 pin CCTV line already in the wiring harness with a termination near where the stock camera mounts. If I (or Datsa) can find where it terminates under the dash, that might get me back into a low cost wired camera.

[fibber2]

Searching the web, I came up with a few items of interest. First picture is of an '04 Limited with camera, and I took a few screen grabs. Also the $600 OEM part as shown in a catalog.

Second shot was something I'd tracked down some time ago of the tailgate interior during the installation of a license plate frame camera. The author just happened to drill thru the camera indent for running his wire. Is part or all of this indent punched out when the OEM camera is installed?

[ybre]

Here is a photo of the rear view cam on my 2006 Limited

rviewcam.JPG

Also, member 07sienna07 did install a aftermarket camera in the original trim piece location pictures of my new installed backup camera which he bought from this place http://www.eonon.com/searchResult.as...&txtKey=camera

[datsa noydb]

Thanks for the pictures, guys. Now that I know where to look and what to look for, I saw one while waiting at a stop light the other day. Not sure if it's related or not, but it was on an XLE that also had the ultrasonic parking detectors.

Fibber, I have seen units similar to the one in your third link, but for my wife's RAV4. Will have to check dimensions to see if there is one that might fit the Sienna.

Now the problem turns to ... DISPLAY. I don't have the radio with the large screen in the dash, as I don't have a NAV unit. Until I find an in-dash NAV unit that allows me to exchange routes and tracks with my laptop, I will settle for my Garmin unit on top of the dash. Since I already have that one unit on the dash, I don't need another device (monitor for rear-view camera), so I was thinking of the possibility of a monitor that either clips onto or replaces the stock rear-view mirror. Anyone have experience with them?

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[Narboza]

Check and see if your Garman accepts video in. There are several web discussions about wiring in cameras and iPod video into a Garmin for display.

[datsa noydb]

Check and see if your Garman accepts video in. There are several web discussions about wiring in cameras and iPod video into a Garmin for display.

Great idea, thanks.That was not one of the features I was worried about when I got it, so did not bother to notice if it had it.I does have a picture viewer, but the only electrical interface is the power cord. That is a micro-USB connection, so it might require a different cable to go to an interface box that has the actual video input. Will check that out and get back.

EDIT: Just did a little searching, apparently only the 5000 and 7200 models have a video input. Alas, I have a mere 1490.

.

[fibber2]

Update on my end:

I've pretty much given up on trying to use one of the units with the built-in license plate light as I haven't found one that match the dimensions of the Sienna plate light cutout. It has an odd shape, and the recess seems a bit thin without doing a bit of metal cutting inside the door.

I'm looking at very small cameras that snap into the knockout plug on some JDM Camry/Prius models, such as this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCD-Car-Rear...item415d567afa The critical dimension is around 30mm, so it just might fit the bottom lip in the 'cutout area' which is around 33mm or so. Depending on the stud location (6 bolts hold that rear panel onto the van, and one is between the plate light and the camera cutout), you might be able to move it a bit closer to the plate light where the trip panel is thicker (over 35mm).

The other option would be to flip it over and mount it against the metal wall with just the cutout as a surround - like the Sienna XLE/Limited factory camera mounts. I'm not sure how much of the metal is stamped out on the factory install, but I'd have to remove some to do it this way. The only issue is whether the camera picture can accommodate upside down mounting. I know there are left-right reverse options, but don't know about top-bottom. And I still have no idea whether I'm doing this in conjunction with a whole radio head replacement, or a rearview mirror monitor. (Mrs. hasn't decided yet.....)

I also came across 2.4mhz wireless kits for around $20 so any standard CATV signal camera can be turned into a wireless unit. And given that there will be some loss going wireless, all the more reason to start out with a CCD camera rather than CMOS.

I took some pictures, captured some web images that I manipulated, and did a concept drawing. I know that left drawing (mounted as the ebay site shows done on a Camry) would be the easiest, but the camera then sticks out a bit and is more subject to road grime. The drawing on the right is probably more true to the OEM Sienna mounting, but will require some sheet metal cutting within the door.

Any thoughts?

[datsa noydb]

And I still have no idea whether I'm doing this in conjunction with a whole radio head replacement, or a rearview mirror monitor. (Mrs. hasn't decided yet.....)

That's why I am doing the experimenting on my van, rather than my wife's RAV. When I get it right, I will do it to her car, too.

I'm looking at very small cameras that snap into the knockout plug on some JDM Camry/Prius models, such as this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CCD-Car-Rear...item415d567afa The critical dimension is around 30mm, so it just might fit the bottom lip in the 'cutout area' which is around 33mm or so.

I just did some poking around at the site you linked and found THIS. Yeah, it's for a BMW, and the dimensions are not shown, but there is a chance that it just might fit through a carefully-drilled hole in that panel. I have not yet measured the hole for the license light on the van, but this Subaru light is only 29mm by 100mm, and might be adapted to fit.This Hyundai model is about 32 x 97mm.How about one for a Chevy Aveo that is 29 x 98mm?I gave up after 5 of 10 pages on that site, but these might be workable possibilities?.