2005 Prius Backup Camera Install help

As you know, the 2005 did not come with an option to have a backup camera. So, I bought everything to install one. I am just a little nervous to start tearing down the dash area and am wondering how to run the video wires all the way to the back hatch. The 2005 does not have the camera PREWIRED into the wiring harness.

What I bought was an OEM backup camera replica off ebay for $80 bucks (Toyota wanted $850 ) and the coastal mod to connect it to my screen display to get that factory look. I do have the NAV screen, and was told that would work because of the higher resolution vs an 05 without NAV.

I have done a search, but did not come up with much. And after I post this, I am still searching.

Does anyone have a link to a step by step on how to tear down the dash area? or someone that HAS installed an OEM style backup camera on the 2005 model Prius that could share any tips?

Thanks.

 

I figured that I would have to route the wire above the headliner to the front of the car, around the windshield, to the MFD. Since that is where the wiring harrness enters the car from the hatch back area.

Are you saying it would be easier to drop the wire down and route it below the left rear door and up to the front?

Thank you very much for your help by the way.

 

From what I have read (trying to find the reference, but no luck), they made 2 different resolution MFDs in 2005. If you have NAV, you have the higher of the two.

The resolution of the 2005 with NAV was still less than the 2006-2009. Agreed.

 

OK, NEW PLAN....

I am buying the rearview mirror with the monitor built in. I will use the backup camera I bought (it will look OEM), and I will still install the coastal tech mod for the audio inputs (listen to pandora via my phone).

After talking to you guys, I got a little worried that I may not like the resolution after the install. I am going to keep this car for a long time, so money well spent.

Thanks a million for everyones help. After the install, I will post a few photos.

 

Done. Here is what I went with. The backup camera is an ebay special ($80), and it looks OEM. The mirror I went with looks just like the OEM mirror, has homelink, and you can not tell that a video monitor is in it until you put the car in reverse. Very high resolution screen, made by Gentex. Super nice, and I'm happy.

 

Only a very small amount of bumper shows on the bottom corners of the monitor (refer to photo in above post). Also, the Gentex mirror has the "Vehicle location lines" on the left and right, so it shows that if you keep backing up, this is where the vehicle will end up. After using it now for a little while, I like this better than the original camera my wife had in her 2008 prius. I think that if I had to, I could drive by just the camera. Those lines are very accurate.

I bought the camera from truckfancy on ebay and had no issues.

Here is the link:
Toyota Prius Rear View Backup Camera / Car Reverse GPS - eBay (item 150530374131 end time Apr-05-11 13:19:24 PDT)

NOTE: I am not trying to sell anyone this camera. I am only posting a link to what I bought.

 

It has a rectangular base.

Even though the 2005 did not come with the option to buy a camera, the knock out is still on the car. This is where this camera fits. On your 2005, look to the left of the license plate (refer to my photos), and you should see it.

Or, better yet, look on a 2006-2009 that has a camera, and compare that to your 2005 and you'll see what I'm saying. I still haven't figured out why toyota put a knock out plate for a backup camera on a vehicle that did not even offer the option to buy one, but they did.

I will try to take a close up photo of the way the camera is mounted for you also. (it fits in the slot that is already on the car)

*EDIT*
Here is an older post of mine that details a little more info:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/84266-backup-camera-confusion.html#post1177294

 

Here is a shot of how the camera is mounted.