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External Temperature Gauge/Thermometer

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by RubyTheRedTaco, Mar 4, 2019.

  1. Mar 5, 2019 at 5:23 PM
    #21
    RonJon31

    RonJon31 Well-Known Member

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    this is getting unnecessarily off topic. If you don’t think he should have a temp gauge just leave the thread instead of derailing it and being unhelpful to the OP
     
    underaroof, Bigal90 and 86250rrippin like this.
  2. Mar 5, 2019 at 6:44 PM
    #22
    underaroof

    underaroof ember

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    I've been interested in installing an outside temp gauge for years, but most seem so cheap that I wouldn't trust them, or so expensive I'd rather rely on intuition.

    For those wondering why someone would want to know whether it's getting 'cold' outside: Imagine leaving a valley floor, it's 50ºF. You climb 6,000' into the mountains, it's now 19ºF.
    OR
    Imagine you leave your house, it's 40º, your commute takes you through a canyon and drops deep down and climbs back out. Obviously you know this is a trouble spot for ice, but knowing that the temp is rapidly dropping is a good indication you should check yourself before you wreck yourself.

    Knowing when ice is about to show up on the road is pretty convenient.

    Please update us if you decide on one and how it performs. I know most installs are on the mirror, or in front of the radiator, in the bumper or grill.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2019
  3. Mar 5, 2019 at 7:29 PM
    #23
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    I do ride motorcycles, actually. Dirtbikes. :D Much more variable terrain than street, sometimes feet apart. Been about a year due to some health issues that are on the mend. Hope to get the bike running again very soon. Any hoo...

    My take home point here is that one should use all available information, but not to too heavily rely on bits of information that can be misleading, as i said in my first post in the thread.

    Like I said about the scan gauges, I see a lot of people focus too tightly on a small coolant temp change because they thought the temp was always constant because the dash needle doesn’t ever change. The same can be, and is, true of icy roads and ambient air temperature. There are a lot of temps above 32 where there can be ice, so one should use intuition and caution when in cold weather. I.e. drive slow, and watch the cars in front of you to see if they start sliding, lol.

    This does remind me of a favorite anonymous quote I’ve seen: scientists: just a bunch of a**holes going around trying to prove shit.”

    :cheers:
     
  4. Mar 5, 2019 at 7:40 PM
    #24
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    It’s funny, when I asked this exact question I got the same response. It was a bunch of people arguing why an outside temp gauge is useless blah blah blah.

    My response was maybe I just wanted to know what the goddamn outside temperature was.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2019 at 9:06 PM
    #25
    RubyTheRedTaco

    RubyTheRedTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I agree, no need for arguments. My intention with this post was not to debate whether an outside temp gauge is needed or what factors should go into determining whether the road may be icy. I just want to know the approximate outside temperature, from a unit that stays with the truck, so I have a relative idea about the potential road conditions. I guess I should have made that more clear to begin with...

    But seriously, I appreciate all the positive input and I'll be sure to give an update on what I decide to do or don't do haha!
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2019
  6. Mar 5, 2019 at 9:17 PM
    #26
    MikeWH

    MikeWH Well-Known Member

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    The plows where I live have a down-facing IR Temp gauge that reads the actual road surface temp as they drive along. They use this to make decisions on brining or sanding the road, where the require chains, etc. would be a cool and unique addition to a Tacoma.

    I agree though, I like to see outside temp just to see something while I’m driving around!
     
  7. Mar 5, 2019 at 9:22 PM
    #27
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Gentex Mirror is definitely the cleanest way to do this. And you also can get Homelink, AutoDim, and a Compass.
     
  8. Mar 5, 2019 at 9:23 PM
    #28
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #28
  9. Mar 5, 2019 at 10:57 PM
    #29
    jbrandt

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    Please note, I never said they were useless... but what evs
     
  10. Mar 5, 2019 at 10:58 PM
    #30
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    That's what people were saying on the thread I made more than a year ago asking about installing an ambient temperature sensor.
     
  11. Mar 5, 2019 at 11:45 PM
    #31
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    I wish I had found one w/ thermometer but i wouldn't know the wiring.
     
  12. Mar 5, 2019 at 11:46 PM
    #32
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Literally two wires, and they can be in any orientation.
     
  13. Mar 5, 2019 at 11:49 PM
    #33
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    the wires leading back to the mirror. There's usually more than 2, like for the acura tsx theres 3 wires, power, ground and the reverse wire. I was lucky enough to find the diagram for it so I wouldn't blow out a circuit like I almost did with an ecu. Thats why I'm always cautious and try to locate a diagram before even pulling the part off of a car.
     
  14. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:17 AM
    #34
    RonJon31

    RonJon31 Well-Known Member

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  15. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:18 AM
    #35
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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  16. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:26 AM
    #36
    RonJon31

    RonJon31 Well-Known Member

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    I just went in and grabbed the first one I saw off Amazon I’m sure a little digging and you could find one with a thermometer. Either way gentex is probably the way to go
     
  17. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:43 AM
    #37
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    #37
  18. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:48 AM
    #38
    RonJon31

    RonJon31 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah most hover around 1 and half stars for the reviews lol
     
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    #38
  19. Mar 6, 2019 at 12:48 AM
    #39
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    If you're only lookin for the one with a compass and temp I'd just get the gentex.
     
  20. Mar 6, 2019 at 3:53 AM
    #40
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    Thank goodness people still continue and try things, huh? That's how we get advancements. Anyhoo, I want one of these mirrors with temp and compass and you're the resident expert. Which model do I want? Is it that 80 buck one in the link you posted?
     

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