Rear Parking Sensor Install : Has anyone done it?.. tips?

[Blake1]

I found that on Amazon for 30 bucks you can buy a kit that has those round sensors you mount in the bumper as back up sensors. It then senses the car is in revers by linking into the power lead to the reverse light. System is stock style.. ie, beeps when senses something behind.

Install is fairly simple.. just looking at how I am going to do it... run the wires, etc. sucks I have to go into the hatch where the reverse lights live.

Anyone done this.. any tips?.. where to place module, speaker, run wires?

 

[elkaholic]

Do you by any chance have the 7 way trailer harness? If so, you can get reverse light sense from there.

 

[Blake1]

Great point... there is a trailer harness... although it is is only three holes in a row at the plug. looking under the rig it looks like they ran a wire to the right rear brake light forit... I never used a trailer.. so no idea if that one supports backup light?

 

[elkaholic]

The standard 4 way does not. Some trucks came with a 7 way RV style that dies. Sounds like you have the 4 way ....

 

[SHAGGY101]

Pretty sure you dont need to go into the tailgate for reverse lights. The only light in there is a brake light. The reverse lights are on the D-pillar. The lights should be held in by 2 screws (IIRC) and then just pop out via body clips.

pictures show reverse light and the best picture I have of the reverse light area. You can see the lower screw hole and body mount hole. Reverse light is very easy to tap into, I used it for my backup camera.

 

[SHAGGY101]

Also, to get into the body from the bumper area you can go thorough one of these ports on the bottom rear of the rear quarter panels. Hope you can tell from the pics where they are at.

First picture is looking down on the inside after removing plastic covering from around tailgate area. You can see the rearmost body bolt from this hole.

The second picture is from on the ground looking up right next to where the rear crossmemeber attaches to the main frame.

 

[Blake1]

You Rock.. I even get picks... now to really make my life easy.. off the top of your head.. do you recall which lead / color is the reverse light?

this should is looking like a fairly easy mod so far... in terms of running wires, etc.

 

[SHAGGY101]

I beleive it is orange. There is one wire that is a common ground (white) and the other one you will need to tap into. there are only 2 wires going to that bulb's port so it should be pretty easy to figure out. If you are unsure, have someone shift it into revers and use a multimeter to see which wire receives 12V. As far as wiring inside the vehicle, there is a wire channel on either side of the vehicle under the plastic panels at the foot of each door. Let me know if you need anything else.

Glad to help,
Ryan

 

[Blake1]

Thanks.. BTW.. this is going into an 01 LX470... which hopefully will never backinto my other car in the driveway again.

 

[liveoak]

I used to install those sensors when i worked for a dealership. They never really work as good as the factory installed sensors because they are universal. A back up camera IMO is a much better option especially if you can tie into your head unit. Most people that back into their own car in the driveway never do it again as that mistake will haunt you eternally. Trust me i know.

 

[Tahomatom]

2nd on the back up camera and straight to the head unit.
Back up beeps and sleeping babies dont mix.

Easy install.
Remove tail light
Used the clips that tap into existing wires Radio shack to negative and ground.
Run wire down side of car and push under plastic panels , under center console.
I then drilled a hole behind the license plate. Coated edges of hole to prevent rust. (Unless I get a tire carrier i dont expect to move the plate)
Mounted camera. (clipped onto plate)
Removed the 4 screws to the head unit,
simple plug into head unit , put everything back in.

Took 45 minutes in a parking lot at Radio shack. Cordless drill, phillips head, elec tape, and a kitchen knife.

 

[hoser]

Blake,

I looked into getting some back-up sensor and ended up buying from this company. More than $30 but seemed to be a reputable company. The quality of the parts look good. I have yet to install it. I also like that it was able to "learn" to disregard items behind the rear bumper like a hitch or tire carrier.

Are you looking to retain the stock bumper? If so, the latest kits use a metallic strip that goes inside the bumper and so no need to drill holes. I have a steel bumper and hence will need to use the sensors.

Home - Steelmate USA

 

[Blake1]

Thanks.. The video is great.. but I have stock radio in the rig...youngest kid is 3 now so naps almost done... I see the Steelmate 2 sensor system.. is also 30 bucks.. probably comparable... thanks for all the links.. I will give this one a shot. there are definitely more products out there than I had realized.

 

[Blake1]

and yes.. I am just maintaining stock bumper ( that has a scrape on each side).. my wife drives this truck... I try to keep it simple for her.

 

[AimCOtaco]

I personally think the proximity/beeper system is a liability. I don't want to rely on that for vision and would expect the driver to learn to use it which could cause the driver to stop looking with eyes and mirrors. If it won't detect your kid or dog at 5-10 feet its more danger than insurance. Maybe forcing her to look behind her rather than listen for beeps could keep you family and cars in better shape?

Just my opinion based on past experience. Many years ago (15-20) as a teen I backed my dads LC into my step dads Toyota Pick up. That was all the 'warning system' I have needed since. Anything I have backed into since that day I did on purpose. I always look.
Conversely I know a couple with a steep driveway and a full bling hybrid yukon... complete with sensors and a camera. She has backed that thing into his car twice because the systems are imperfect and she fails to actually LOOK before Backing.

Keep it simple by forcing her to look.

 

[Blake1]

I definitely hear you... That reminds me of the time in manhattan.. loaded up the back of my truck on 34th street... walked.. got in my truck... started.. put into revers and (bam)... in what could not have been more than 1-2 minutes a delivery guy had put a moped right behind my truck and run into the building.. could not see it from my mirrors ( I looked)... "who the hell parks a moped right behind a running SUV. ... I hear you.. just saying.. there is utility.. just a combination. I too spoke to a guy who's wife has all the back up gadgets and slammed his car in the driveway. It happens.. believe me.. I am not venting.. could happen to me. ... my last advice on this post is.. if someone in your family backs into you.. (other than your kid).. be understanding.

Cheers... and keep those heads on a swivel.

 

[JustCallMeCrash]

Sorry to raise this thread from the dead, but I just picked up an 05 LX470 and was wondering the same thing. My wife is used to her 4Runner beeping at her, and old habits die hard (plus, as you mentioned with the moped, s*** happens that you can't see no matter how much you look). Thanks!