Rear view camera cover

Hi, I installed a cap on my 2019 Tacoma and now have a rear view camera. At the moment I placed it behind rear glass door of the cap but because the glass is tinted, the image is not very clear at night time. I would like to install the camera on top of the cap and cover it with something like shark fin or bullet antenna cover – as low profile as possible. Does anybody have any ideas/suggestion on what to use for it? The camera is 1” high and about 2” wide. I had it temporary place on the tailgate prior to installing the cap.

Thank you
Grig

 

You don't have an OEM one in the tailgate handle?

 

this looks like a dashcam.

 

I do have the OEM, for backup camera. This is an additional camera for the rear view image to replace the rear view mirror.

 

Here's a terrible example...

BMW type...

 

Yeah, I would prefer a bullet stile cover.

 

not sure this is good enough for you, but if you search "any time rear camera", or something like that, you will see how to easily install a switch to use the OEM tailgate camera whenever you like, not just when in reverse. i did it
by cutting into harness at rear of entune box but i believe there are plug harnesses available if you want to avoid that but spend money.
as i remember, it is just a matter of applying +12 to a wire labeled "R" in the harness.

 

I have always wanted to do this. Put a rear facing dash cam (similar to the BMW style) on the outside of my truck.

I have seen the camera quality (and viewing angle) of the Anytime Rear view cam, and it's crappy. I want a real dash cam back there.

 

That's not exactly what I am looking for. I do have that installed already, but the OEM tailgate camera does not give rear view mirror image. These are two different cameras.
Here is the view from my rear view cam:

 

Try PORMIDO 998

$260 PORMIDO Triple Mirror Dash Cam 12" with Detached Front and in-Car Camera,Waterproof Backup Rear View Dashcam Anti Glare 1296P IPS Touch Screen with Sony Sensor,Starvis Night Vision,GPS,Parking Assist

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L9C1XC...wg=f7UIL&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_1_img

 

If you had a topper rack, I'd say a DIY fab'd up metal plate bracket to house the camera on the underside of the furthest back crossbar would be the easiest. If you're working with a slick top on top of the camper shell, I don't know that any kind of bracket (including a shark fin mockup) would look any better than just hard mounting the current bracket up there. Maybe try to find a spare 3rd brake light cover for your brand topper and see if you can squeeze a cutout for the camera into it and seal it back up? Not sure honestly; will be interested to see what you come up with.

 

Not much help, but that on my tailgate wouldn't last a few hours.... I use the tailgate and bed very often.

 

Can you attach a picture of your camper shell/truck, preferably a view from the back? Some camper shell rear windows have a plastic lip that sits on the tailgate; maybe if yours has that, its wide enough to fit your setup nearly exactly how you have it?

 

Like I mentioned before it was a test to see there was a difference between the camera places in the open and behind a tinted glass. The image in the open is much better, therefor I'm pursuing that idea.

 

Thanks for the link. I want a setup just like the for rear camera, and I want it to display in my rear view mirror, so I can see an unobstructed view. All the video's I found, mount the rear facing cam inside the vehicle. I want to mount it outside, maybe on/in the antenna or under the third brake light? But I want it to be covered, to protect it from the elements and sun glare.

 

here it is

 

That is EXACTLY what I'm trying to do.

 

Well, scratch that idea! Looks like your ARE is a solid back glass design/does not have the lip I was referring to like some of the Leers I've seen. I notice you have tracks on the topper. Ever planned for a roof rack up there? That takes me back to my first idea of just mounting it on the underside of a crossbar. Also keeps you from having to make any permanent holes or mounting solutions on the shell itself.

 

That's what I thought. We're on the same page and want the exact same thing.

I have been thinking about doing this:

A) Alter the existing shark fin, so I can add a camera inside it. I saw a video on YouTube where a guy did it, the thing is almost hollow.
B) Buy a 2nd shark fin, then alter that one and add a camera inside it. I'd have to drill into the roof of the truck, but I wouldn't fuck up the GPS/UHF signals that go to the OEM fin'.

I would have two fins on my roof, but who cares?

 

I am not excluding a roof rack in the future. While the camera is IP68 waterproof I do want to bring the wire through the roof. That's why I want to cover it with something .