Review on PYvideo Backup Camera Tailgate Handle for Tacoma (05-14) Universal Monitors (RCA) - Black by Joe Murphy

I installed this on my 2005 Access Cab; better late than never. It wasn't too difficult to install. The camera's video quality is good, but the angle of view is narrower than I thought (but not bad). And just like a trunk grip, it's clearly not as wide as a stick grip, but it feels solid enough and fits well. The included torsion spring wasn't as strong as the factory grip. Once the handle was turned on, the handle itself did not retract because it has a weak torsion spring. However, greasing the tailgate latches seems to have helped the torsion spring do its job. I will swap out the torsion spring from the factory grip for this if the problem reoccurs. Once installed, these tailgate handles look like they came from the factory. The package contains almost everything you need for installation. However, it only comes with a 1/4-inch split loom about 5 feet long, which only covers the first part of the route from the camera to the tailgate. I bought about 15ft of 3/8" Split Loom to cover the rest of the routing. They could have included more ties as I had to use about 10 more of my own. The installation instructions are fine and cover most of it if you read them carefully. But they could have done the instructions much better as this is a model specific rear view camera. You can add more information about the specific model and add pictures/drawings to routing instructions etc. Installation is easy. First I installed split Loom on top of all the wiring which was a nuisance I then just removed the plastic tailgate guard with a T30 torx bit then I just unscrewed the factory knob and screwed that on I used a dremel tool to loosen one of the To widen drain holes on the underside of the tailgate to allow the camera cable to run out of the tailgate; I sprayed that exposed metal to prevent rust. This kit lets you power your camera: a few feet of power and ground wires extend from the rear connector of the extension cord; It is designed to provide power and ground by engaging the reverse light wiring harness, which is located behind the tail light housing on the driver's side. a power cord also exits the end of the RCA connector of the extension cord; This allows the camera to be powered from the main unit wiring harness. In any case, you still need to connect a ground wire to the vehicle body ground (I attached it to the ground screw behind the driver's side taillight housing). Of course, if you power the camera from the reverse light harness, the camera will only be powered when the vehicle is reversing. I decided to power the main unit wiring harness so I could access the camera without going into reverse. However, this means that the camera is always on when the car is on, so this can affect the lifespan of the camera. I connected the extension cable to the camera cable right where the factory wiring bifurcates into the left and right taillight housings. . Then I just ran an extension cord through the factory wiring to the cabin; in the floor of the cabin, under the driver's seat, under the carpet there is a grommet through which the factory wiring enters the cabin. I made slits in the grommet to route the extension cord into the cabin and sealed the hole with RTV silicone; I removed the driver's seat to make this part of the installation easier. I connected the RCA connector to the main unit and made sure the camera was working. I left some slack where the camera cable came out of the tailgate so the door could open and close freely. I've also added slack at the junction of the extension cord and camera cord to allow for quick release should I need to remove the tailgate in the future. I then tied all the wires to the factory wiring to complete the installation.