Coolant temp monitoring solution

I just bought a 2010 TRD guys and I am thinking about a solution to monitor the coolant temp better then the stock gauge.I suppose I either put a coolant temp adapter or after market temp gauge which I think is sloppy or plug in a live dongle and monitor everything in real time on my phone or install a scan gauge.What do you guys think I should do?

 

Not an exact solution...
Ultraguage???

 

That’s a super nice product but I am split between the blue tooth dongles or these scan gauges.I was introduced to the blue driver and veespeak blue tooth products and convinced myself they are the best for a job like the one.I mean a obd2 reader is more or less the same right?

The UltraGauge sure doesn’t have coolant temp I have looked on the pages it offers.I have not read to many good things on this gauge a fellow Tacoma owner said it doesn’t support engine,oil,trans temps.

 

I used a scangauge on my 2006 yes obd2 but install was super clean with a mirror mount. If you looking to retain or track data like through an app can understand your wanting a bluetooth connection. No idea about that though I did like knowing my real coolant temp especially at warm up on cold days. No longer use the gauge on my 13.

 

I have heard about the scan gauge I think it’s a bit old school but did it have engine,oil,trans temps.

 

What is it about the stock gauge that you don’t like? Is it not a reliable indicator of over heating? Mine seems to sit in the same spot always, once it warms up... maybe that’s the answer to my own question lol.

 

I had the blue tooth obdII dongle for awhile connected to the Torque app, it works great but I eventually got a Scangauge 2 and prefer it way more. For one, don't have to mess with my phone to see the data and the Torque app would drain the phone battery awful quick whenever it was connected.

Scangauge you just hook up, mount it where you want it, set the info you want to see displayed and it's always there.

 

That statement is quite incorrect:

The Ultragauge EM Supports these which includes Coolant Temperature and Oil Temperature, but does not support Transmission Temperature.

The Ultragauge MX Supports all the ones for EM Plus Mfg specifics such as Transmission Temperatures.

https://ultra-gauge.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=224

Gauge
% Engine Load
Engine Coolant Temperature (ºF)
Engine Coolant Temperature (ºC)
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 2
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 2
Fuel Pressure (PSI)
Fuel Pressure (kPa)
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)(PSI)
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)(kPa)
RPM
MPH
KPH
Timing Advance
Intake Air Temperature (ºF)
Intake Air Temperature (ºC)
Mass Air Flow Sensor 1 (g/s)
Absolute Throttle Position 1 %
Bank 1 0xygen Sensor 1 Voltage***
Bank 1 0xygen Sensor 2 Voltage***
Bank 2 0xygen Sensor 1 Voltage***
Bank 2 0xygen Sensor 2 Voltage***
Run time since last start (hours:mins)
Miles traveled with Check Engine Light On.
Kilometers traveled with Check Engine Light On.
Fuel Pressure (Diesel & Direct Injection) (PSI)
Fuel Pressure (Diesel & Direct Injection) (10kPa)

Bank 1 Wide 0xygen Sensor 1 Lambda (voltage based)***
Bank 1 Wide Oxygen Sensor 2 Lambda (voltage based)***
Bank 2 Wide 0xygen Sensor 1 Lambda (voltage based)***
Bank 2 Wide Oxygen Sensor 2 Lambda (voltage based)***

Bank 1 Wide 0xygen Sensor 1 Lambda (current based)***
Bank 1 Wide Oxygen Sensor 2 Lambda (current based)***
Bank 2 Wide 0xygen Sensor 1 Lambda (current based)***
Bank 2 Wide Oxygen Sensor 2 Lambda (current based)***

EGR Flow %
EGR Flow % Error
Evaporative Purge %
Fuel Level % of full
Number of Warm-ups since Check Engine Light Cleared
Miles traveled since Check Engine Light Cleared
Kilometers traveled since Check Engine Light Cleared
Evaporative System (PSI)
Evaporative System (Pa)
Barometric Pressure – Inches of Mercury (inHg)
Barometric Pressure – Inches of Mercury (kPa)
Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (ºF)
Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (ºC)
Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (ºF)
Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (ºC)
Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 2 Temperature (ºF)
Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 2 Temperature (ºC)
Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 2 Temperature (ºF)
Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 2 Temperature (ºC)
Battery Voltage (Measured by ECM)
UltraGauge Battery Voltage (Measured by UG)
Load absolute %
AFR Commanded Ratio
Relative Throttle Position %
Outside Ambient Air Temperature (ºF)
Outside Ambient Air Temperature (ºC)
Absolute Throttle Position 2 %
Accelerator Pedal Position 1 %
Accelerator Pedal Position 2 %
Command Throttle Position %
Fuel/Air Commanded Equivalence Ratio (v1.4)
Engine Oil Temperature (ºF) (v1.4)
Engine Oil Temperature (ºC) (v1.4)
Fuel Injection Timing (v1.4)
Exhaust Pressure PSI (v1.4)
Charge Air Temperature (ºF) (v1.4)
Charge Air Temperature (ºC) (v1.4)
Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (PSI)
Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (kPa)
Brake Horsepower 1
Brake Kilowatts 1
Torque 1 (ft lbs)
Torque 1 (N.m)
Brake Horsepower 2
Brake Kilowatts 2
Torque 2 (ft lbs)
Torque 2 (N.m)
Mass Air Flow Sensor 2 (g/s)– Calculated
Instantaneous MPG
Instantaneous KPL
Instantaneous L/100Km
Average MPG – General
Average KPL – General
Average L/100Km – General
Average MPH – General
Average KPH – General
Run Time – General
Miles – General (miles)
Kilometers – General (miles)
Fuel Used – General (gallons)
Fuel Used – General (liters)
Average Gallons/Hour - General
Average Liters/Hour - General
Fuel Level (gallons)
Fuel Level (liters)
Instantaneous Gallons/hour
Instantaneous Liters/hour
Distance to Empty (miles)
Distance to Empty (kilometers)
Time to Empty
Volumetric Efficiency (MAP vehicles only)

General Trip Gauges
Average MPG
Fuel Used
Average Gallons/hour
Average MPH
Distance (miles)
Run Time

Average KPH
Average KPL
Average L/100Km
Liters Used
Average Liters/Hour
Distance (kilometers)


Short Trip Gauges**
Average MPG
Fuel Used
Average Gallons/hour
Average MPH
Distance (miles)
Run Time

Average KPH
Average KPL
Average L/100Km
Liters Used
Average Liters/Hour
Distance (kilometers)

Vehicle Manufacturer Proprietary Gauges

Transmission Temperature (See Ultragauge MX)
Other Gauges (See Ultragauge MX)

 

On the Scangauge the coolant temp is listed as WT (water temp)

 

How about this? not sloppy like the round ones

Cllena Digital Voltmeter Temperature Gauge 2 in 1 Voltage Temp LED Display Meter for Toyota (1.58 * 0.87")

https://www.amazon.com/Cllena-Digit...uare+Tacoma+Temp+gauge&qid=1605331222&sr=8-35

 

I looked into those before and it would be an awesome idea, however the temp sensor is just a probe hanging out the back of the unit to read whatever ambient temp is behind the dash. It doesn't have a way to tap into the coolant system.

Aftermarket gauges don't look bad if you get the right equipment.
Mine are Autometer custom shop made to match the factory gauges. They used real carbon fiber and it looks better than factory. The biggest hassle was tapping into the factory dimmer system and trial and error to find the right LED that matches the temperature and intensity of the factory gauges.

 

Yea that’s what I want to do now.I think the blue tooth dongles are a bit more complicated and can tamper with the vehicle over time with the power they use.More fancy equipment means more power demand from the vehicle like the battery etc.I am a bit discouraged with the dongles after I have ready some unusual stories.I also don’t think the readings will be fast when out in the country or under weather conditions.I will keep looking for a scab gauge.

 

My Ultra Gauge is set to display coolant and trans temps, remaining fuel level, and voltage. The VDO gauges display oil pressure and oil temp.

 

I have the obdII with torque pro app.

every once in a while I’ll get wild hair and plug it in, but my temps stay the same with boring consistency. 190-205 max.

trans pan almost always 180.

I don’t bother any more. Change the coolant every 80k-100k and trans fluid every 60k per Aisin recs and call it good.

you guys do inspect your vehicles periodically, right? Once a month or so? Pop the hood, look around? Check your fluids, etc?

If you just want data for data’s sake, use the scan/ultra gauge.

 

Not for coolant temps. Only goes to 80C.

 

I see that now I have no idea why you would want to know the temp inside your truck and when would it ever be 80 degrees C
Good concept if someone made it work for coolant temp.

 

I added a gauge pod to my 06 TRD OF to monitor Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Transmission Temperature, and Voltage. I run as a Pilot Car/ Escort, knowing my temperatures is very important. My front low-mount Oversize Load sign blocks part of my radiator opening. All the gauges are Autometer. I have been running them since 2007, and only had to replace one voltmeter. The Oil Pressure, and Oil Temperature feed off an adapter with a line from the Oil cooler under the oil filter on an Off Road. The Transmission Temperature I had the pan tapped at a race shop and fitted with the temp sender that came with the gauge. I have over 375K on this setup.... all works fine.

 

SC II for me.

My phone doesn't need more clutter.

Been using them in both vehicles since 2001.

 

Good enough to get me to look more closely anyways. I thought much the same “Huh? Wtf would need to know it’s 80C?” Not relevant to either engine temps or environmental temps.

 

Coolant temp isn't going to be the thing that'll hurt the truck...