Heritage Grill Camera Swap - Observations

[MHG]

OK, this thread makes my head hurt. I read it all and many other threads and I have a question that I am not sure anyone has the answer to.

When you watch the RAVE installation video, they tell you there is a "different configuration" on the bracket and a "different angle". WHY is there a different angle? Is it because the factory height is different on the TRD pro? meaning if you have an OR with a lift would the required angle be the same? If people are programing an +162 offset, is the angle of these RAVE brackets is off?

Has anyone ever made the factory bracket fit? I wonder what the results would be...

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[Gurvy522]

OK, this thread makes my head hurt. I read it all and many other threads and I have a question that I am not sure anyone has the answer to.

When you watch the RAVE installation video, they tell you there is a "different configuration" on the bracket and a "different angle". WHY is there a different angle? Is it because the factory height is different on the TRD pro? meaning if you have an OR with a lift would the required angle be the same? If people are programing an +162 offset, is the angle of these RAVE brackets is off?

Has anyone ever made the factory bracket fit? I wonder what the results would be...

To answer your questions...

Yes - there is a height and pitch angle difference between the limited/TRDs and Pro/TH models... but in addition, one major difference - the OEM TH/Pro camera is mounted upside down when using the OEM bracket. Hence, there are 2 different primary setting options in the ECU, type 1 and type 2.

In addition to the primary settings, there is also a calibration setting, which allows for fine adjustments to the cameras around the vehicle. This ensures your 360 cam lines up nicely on a flat surface.

I realized (as Rave eventually did as well) that most folks will not want to touch ECU configurations or parameters. If the OE Pro/TH bracket was sold with these conversion kits, your front cam would view upside down, until you reflashed the ECU to the other different grille type. So, they sell a custom 3D printed bracket, that mounts to the TH/Pro grilles, but keeps the camera in the same orientation as other models (upright). This is the same type of bracket you can get/print here for free if you check my other threads.

The different grille type not only inverts the image, but also has different default calibration parameters. So you wouldn't need to go all the way to +162 to try to even out the image.

 

[rijc99]

I thought the different angle was because the OR grill doesn’t have a lightbar so the camera is mounted higher and at a steeper angle vs the Pro/TH which does have a lightbar and thus lower mount point.

 

[emerica243]

Here's what I did from a different thread fwiw

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/how-to-recalibrate-your-360-cameras.11923/post-170570

 

[MHG]

To answer your questions...

Yes - there is a height and pitch angle difference between the limited/TRDs and Pro/TH models... but in addition, one major difference - the OEM TH/Pro camera is mounted upside down when using the OEM bracket. Hence, there are 2 different primary setting options in the ECU, type 1 and type 2.

In addition to the primary settings, there is also a calibration setting, which allows for fine adjustments to the cameras around the vehicle. This ensures your 360 cam lines up nicely on a flat surface.

I realized (as Rave eventually did as well) that most folks will not want to touch ECU configurations or parameters. If the OE Pro/TH bracket was sold with these conversion kits, your front cam would view upside down, until you reflashed the ECU to the other different grille type. So, they sell a custom 3D printed bracket, that mounts to the TH/Pro grilles, but keeps the camera in the same orientation as other models (upright). This is the same type of bracket you can get/print here for free if you check my other threads.

The different grille type not only inverts the image, but also has different default calibration parameters. So you wouldn't need to go all the way to +162 to try to even out the image.

So if I install it on a factory lifted OR, would the factory OR bracket work I just would need a calibration but no ECU reprograming?

 

[Gurvy522]

So if I install it on a factory lifted OR, would the factory OR bracket work I just would need a calibration but no ECU reprograming?

You cannot reuse the OR bracket on the heritage grill.

You will either need a 3D printed bracket, or the OE bracket.

If you use the OE bracket, you will have to reprogram your ECU for grille type 2.

If you use my bracket, Rave's, or similar, you won't need to reprogram anything. However, you may choose to calibrate if you feel like the image does not line up for the 360 view - this is an optional step. If you're factory lifted, you may not need to adjust as much. (This is the plus/minus setting).

 

[MHG]

I thought the reprogramming the ECU was for the camera flip? How does keeping my existing bracket flip the image?

 

[Baltimore]

I thought the reprogramming the ECU was for the camera flip? How does keeping my existing bracket flip the image?

If you can to the TH/Pro grille, the mounting screw arrangement will not allow you to install your existing bracket in the same orientation. It will force it flip over. And when it flips, your camera angle will be massively wrong. If you want to have a hope of of things being correct you have 4 options:
1. Use an aftermarket bracket such as Rave or Gurvy's file to reuse your existing camera, tweak its position in the calibration menu but avoid ECU changes
2. use Gurvy's other file or similar that flips your camera to the expected upside-down position, have to change your ECU, and then calibrate
3. But the correct OEM camera and bracket (not sold separately, expect to pay about $150 if you find it on sale). Requires ECU change and calibration
4. Do nothing and have upside down and jacked up front camera view

Since #1 runs you about $40, #2 runs you anywhere from $10 to $1000 (depending on if you own a 3s printer, the necessary ODB cable, and your subscription option to GTS+), and #3 runs you $150 to $1000... Most have opted for #1, with Gurvy having done the legwork and material prototyping for both #1 and #2.

I did the Rave bracket and #1 (no 3d printer), and my only beef that Race could have taken morto better refine the initial angle so that the calibration adjustment wasn't so steep. Oh and the calibration menu/process not being known/well known back when I did this.

 

[Taco Ji]

Just to be clear, you install the OEM pro or Trailhunter grills? Or some aftermarket grills?

Reason I ask is because there are tons of people who installed the aftermarket grills with the camera bracket already provided with no issues.

 

[Gurvy522]

Just to be clear, you install the OEM pro or Trailhunter grills? Or some aftermarket grills?

Reason I ask is because there are tons of people who installed the aftermarket grills with the camera bracket already provided with no issues.

Strictly for OE. The China knockoffs come with their own brackets that retain OR camera orientation. I am not sure how the angle is, and whether any calibration is necessary.

Also, no one has provided feedback to me on whether calibration was needed on the type 1 bracket I have posted here. I think there are a few dozen members I am aware of that run it.

I personally run the type 2 bracket (that I made) and it needed minimum calibration after changing the grille type.

 

[Taco Ji]

I want to swap the grills to heritage style but don’t want to mess with the re-calibration of the cameras. I guess I need to stick with the Chinese stuff lol

 

[Gurvy522]

I want to swap the grills to heritage style but don’t want to mess with the re-calibration of the cameras. I guess I need to stick with the Chinese stuff lol

If you end up lifting your truck ever, changing the tires to larger ones, unless you're ok with it being slightly off, you'll still want to recalibrate.

Personally I think the knockoffs look cheesy. They are so close in cost to the real ones. Just buy OE, use a 3D bracket, you can use mine for free if you've got a printer.

 

[MHG]

Thanks for one of the better explanations. So the answer to my original questions seems to be:

the bracket is required because the OEM bracket is different (flipped) on the Pro/TH for some unknown reason and your OEM won’t fit in the correct orientation.

The calibration seems unavoidable since there are variations such as lift/no-lift and slight variations due to 3D printing

I guess it does raise one more question, can the OEM bracket be drilled to make it fit in its original orientation and thus minimal calibration? I guess I’ll find out when I am staring at it.

Thanks for all the good info.

 

[Gurvy522]

Thanks for one of the better explanations. So the answer to my original questions seems to be:

the bracket is required because the OEM bracket is different (flipped) on the Pro/TH for some unknown reason and your OEM won’t fit in the correct orientation.

The calibration seems unavoidable since there are variations such as lift/no-lift and slight variations due to 3D printing

I guess it does raise one more question, can the OEM bracket be drilled to make it fit in its original orientation and thus minimal calibration? I guess I’ll find out when I am staring at it.

Thanks for all the good info.

I don't think so. I mean the holes are actually roughly in the same location, it's the cutouts that allow the camera to fit right side up or flipped, depending on which version of the bracket you have.

But even if you could modify the OE bracket, just seems like a big waste of money. The angle would still probably end up being off, because it's not just the orientation, but about a 2 degree delta as well.

Long story short - I think the best way to describe this situation is that no matter what, recalibration is necessary if you want a "perfect" 360 view. And even then, loading down your bed will cause it to be skewed at times.

So take it with a grain of salt, you could install a 3D printed bracket with the OE heritage grille and be perfectly happy. Or you can be OCD and start calibrating.

 

[rijc99]

Even putting all dogs springs required adjustmesnts to the camera angles and vehicle height setting

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