Temp/Compass/Altimeter Display

I am today. I'm simply gathering and reading all the preliminary information that they have already provided concerning the product. I figure before chatting with them, it doesn't hurt to be familiar with what I'm talking about.

 

Here's your place to mount if it would hog out to 2-3/16"; looks like you could get 3/16" shaved off. All they seem to have though are 2 or 3 - gauge pods for the Tacoma. gaugepods.com/tacoma.html

 

You loose the grab handle with that gauge pod correct?

 

No grab handle on the driver's side sir! Well, at least my taco doesn't have one....

 

If I went that route, that extra gauge spot would justify getting a supercharger...

 

Now ur talkin' ! AND, it appears that they even have them in the correct interior trim color too!

 

*tempted, ignores thread*

 

You know, it's been a LONGGG time since I've mounted standard 2" gauges, but it sure seems to me that this alt/temp gauge is really made for a standard 2" mounting hole, and they're saying 2-3/16" is the gauge's widest point (outside the bezel). Guess they can tell you that when you call them and see if it would drop into a standard 2" mount.

 

Whoa! Just found this on their website. Says they will do "custom" pillar/pods (think single gauge) "GROUP BUY" anyone?

Group Projects

Attention car clubs and Internet forum groups. We can manufacture custom gauge holders for your vehicle. Prices starting at just $20 for single pods. Full-length pillars as low as $39.

Minimum order quantity as low as 20 per project. Some models may require a higher minimum. All projects must be paid prior to project start. Pricing will be determined after receipt of OEM part for evaluation. Most of our products range from $40-$60 ea. depending on complexity.

www.gaugepods.com

 

I'd potentially be interested if something like this were to happen!

 

Ld

I googled the model and skipped the Amazon pages to a different vendor.

Thinking about Your gps signal makes me doubt how well it will work in your dash or at least have concern. Mounted in a bike its always going to have clear sky above it. In your dash, it won't. My bmw has factory nav, and a shark fin antenna. My old jeep had factory nav, and an external antenna. My hunting gps is a good garmin, it worked best when it was sitting on the dash with just glass above it. Sitting on the seat next to me it was spotty. Just needing a compass reading it may not matter though.

 

Yup. When wiring up the ambient temperature sensor in my Gentex 313, only the very specific Nissan Titan sensor I used worked correctly. I bought almost 6 different sensors from GM's, Fords, and even Nissan but all of them told me it was -38° F and flashed "ICE" when it was really like 75° outside. Each sensor in every car has different resistances.

 

Got in touch with Wes at Dakota Digital. Nice, helpful guy.

Here's what we discussed:
-Unit is, besides the temp sensor, completely self-contained and requires no additional hardware. Just power, ground and the included selector switch.
-He said it will have to use the HD temp sensor to work properly, echoing what a few of you have mentioned concerning the temp-to-voltage/resistance.
-He wasn't sure how well it would receive GPS reception in a cab; he's never seen it done, but heard from other co-workers that there can be issues depending on placement.
-If I bought one and it didn't have reliable reception, he'd have no problem accepting a return and refunding.

I'm definitely still interested in this. My phone GPS and Garmin GPS both get fast and reliable satellite reception in the cab, so while I don't know the particular GPS chip capabilities in the gauge, I imagine it should be at least somewhat comparable.

 

Oh, forgot to mention: The 2 3/16" measurement is for the body, not the bezel. So unless there's a good bit of wiggle room, any standard 2" gauge mount is going to take a little work to fit.

 

Same here; I'm in for it too. Maybe see if we can get the gauge pod Co. to make a custom pod for it?

And, I have to think that if it were mounted on the A-pillar post, it would read satellites every bit as good as on a bike!

 

Agree with this statement for sure.

 

I'll be purchasing it in the net few days. Exciting to get this project going and see if it works. I'll certainly keep you all posted.

For those interested in doing this themselves, I think I found the proper ambient temp sensor: part # 74419-96A

Haven't had much luck finding the 3-wire bundle that goes between the sensor and the gauge, so I'm guessing that's probably part of the main harness and not separate. Not hard to make one, though.

Wes also emphasized that the inaccurate temp readings on the bikes from the factory are often due to the sensor placement, as it is under the fairing and too close to the engine. Should be a lot easier to find a better spot away from heat/sunlight on the truck.

I imagine the A-pillar would be a good spot, but I'm still undecided on that location. May be odd to have a single gauge there, and I'd lose the grab handle in the process.
Or maybe I need to hook up oil pressure and trans temp gauges, too.

 

The place where temperature sensors are usually mounted on passenger cars are dead center on the radiator support behind the grille. Just anywhere away from engine heat or sunlight should be fine. I mounted mine underneath the driver's side headlight near the bottom of the bumper.

 

McMash (Tyler):

No grab handle on the drivers side to lose with an a-pillar mount, but the gauge pod place also listed a single pod that appears to mount on the steering column. Maybe that would work seeing that it's only a 2-3/16" gauge.

 

I have a grab handle on mine. Maybe some years didn't have one on the driver's side?

Didn't think about on the steering column. I'll have to look at that spot and make sure it's not blocking anything. Appreciate the suggestion!

I'm gonna wire it up and test how well it does before I commit to a particular mount and area. If it looks like it's getting reliable satellite reception, the next step will be ideal functional placement.