Backup Camera that fits into License Plate Light hole:
I thought there was a write up on IH8MUD on this type of camera, but I couldn't find one so I thought I would post my experience.
There are many different back up camera options, but I wanted one that looked factory, not obtrusive, and I didn't want to put holes in the vehicle that I might regret later or have to fill if I replaced the camera.
After a lot of searching, I found a cheap one on ebay that replaces the license place light module (clips in). This is just the camera with an RCA video output and 12V power connect, you still need to wire it to your head unit (not sure if it is plug and play with the factory head unit, but it plugged right into my Kenwood head unit).
Car Rear Reverse Parking Backup Camera For Toyota Reiz Prado Land Cruise Lexus | eBay
There are several of these on ebay, (search for "Prado back up camera" or "LC100 reverse camera" and you will get a several results, but some are for different years). Fitment can be a little confusing as they don't always list the correct years, but you can compare the measurements if they were available on the ebay listing, and or compare the picture to your license plate light.
In case the ebay link above expires, below is a picture from the ebay listing (if anyone is interested, I can post some pictures of my install):
Of couple of notes:
Wiring
The initial wiring took a while, and needed some extra wiring and RCA barrel connectors (splice) to reach all the way to the front of the car (I think I purchased the extra video wire with RCA connectors and barrel connectors from monoprice.com). I pulled the trim off of the back hatch (cargo door, not the tail gate)and fished the camera cable through from the license place light hole to the top of the top cargo door. At the top of the cargo door, there is actually a rubber sleeve with some other wiring in it) that goes into the back cargo compartment (behind the trim inside the back cargo area). This was difficult getting through this rubber sleeve, but I used some wire fishing grease (I think that is what it is called) and some creative wire fishing (pushing a thin stiff wire through, then attaching the camera cable to the thin wire and pulling it back though...), and finally got the camera cable pulled through (I can't remember, but I think I actually cut the RCA connector off, pulled the wire through, and then reattached a generic RCA connector). Once the wire is in the interior cargo area, I ran it down to the side into the compartment where the tire jack is, and used this to access and tap into the reverse light bulb (in the tail light assembly) to power the camera. I then use an RCA barrel connector, and spliced to the extra video cable I purchased and ran it along the floor, pushing the wire between the carpet and plastic trim (pushing the wire under the plastic trim is pretty easy) all the way up to the front of the vehicle (when I got to the doors, I simply pushed it under the plastic door sill). This sounds pretty difficult, but its actually pretty easy if you have enough wire (I think I actually spliced it with a RCA connector in 2 places). Once the wire is up to the front, simply run it up behind the dash and plug it in to the head unit. This initial wiring job took a while (hardest part is getting it pulled though the cargo door into to the cargo interior), but once it is in, its in. If I ever need to replace the camera, I simply pull the camera (license plate assembly), and unplug the camera with the included RCA jacks, and plug in a new camera...
Quality
The actual picture quality was pretty good. Yours may vary. However, the build quality of the camera is probably not the best (but maybe not better than any other reverse camera). The first one I installed stopped working after about 9 months. But I simply ordered another one (I think I paid about $20 at the time), and simply plugged the new one in. At that time, I even bought a spare one; but the last one has been working for at least 3 years.
License plate light
Some of these use your existing license place light bulb, some have a built in LED. Keep in mind that if you get one with a built in LED, it may not match the other license plate light on the other side. I have LED bulbs in my license place lights, and the LED bulb fit into the socket beside the reverse camera just fine (it was tight, but it fit).
Alignment
The camera is pointed down and you see the bumper in the bottom of the image. I really like the field of view and it is positioned well for parking and maybe for trailer hitch alignment. But if you want to see farther back, maybe another adjustable camera mount better. Also, the camera is not dead center, it is slightly off center because the license plate light is not in the center (one on each side of the license plate); however this doesn't bother me and is barely noticeable.
Lighting
The one I have does NOT have IR illuminators (however of them do), but it is a fairly low light camera and works pretty good for normal reverse light applications. I don't have problems at night, and can still see ok.
Summary
This is a really clean option, and aside from the wiring issues (which you are going to have with any installation), it works really well, and replacement cameras are easy to find once you know what to look for. The image from the camera is better than the factory back up camera on our 2004 LX470 (however, this could be due to the factory display on the LX)...
Hope this helps.
Lee
2000 LandCruiser
2004 LX470
