Installing a permanent after market 12V outside temperature gauge

Very nice use of the space.

 

Here was the process. There is some repetition from my earlier comments, but this follows sequence of pictures. Removed battery cable. Removed middle console by lifting the cup holder out, took out 4 10mm bolts and a screw. Next I unscrewed the gear shifter and lifted the whole thing out. After that I pried the blank button out so the wires are not exposed. I fished the wired through the blank button hole. The sensor went through the wire bunch on the left side of the drivers side and out behind. the left fog night. The rubber gasket was tight, so I had monkey with it a while. The other side goes out the blank hole into the gauge. It resembles on old school land line telephone connector. For the electric wiring I fished the wires again through the same blank hole and spliced a regular red wire from the gauge to the fuse panel with a Bussman add a fuse spacifically to the radio 7.5 fuse. I used another fuse because low profile factory does not work on these things, just regular mini fuses. I then used a 2 fuse for the the top slot to run the gauge and plugged it. I then put two tiny screws to secure the mount and a tad of industrial velcro just for extra grip. The velcro is not needed, just makes everything tight. I was able to use the guage ground on a screw that is connected to metal about 8 inches inder the cig lighter. As you can see the velcro and screws are hidden. I did it this way so if I wanted everything back to normal I could simply unhook the gauge, pull the wires out, disconnect and put the false button back in. You would never know anything was there. Of course after all this I can't imagine doing that nor would I want to. In addition you can use the cig lighter, aux plug and other 12V plug with the guage installed...and use that bin (for what I don't know). Finally I zip tied all the wires secure and put everything back together. The pics are pretty much in sequence. The mound is a very basic n shaped housing with two screw holes on top. As stated before it was a 3 hour project and most of the time was getting the wires through that tight space where the cig lighter is and the sensor through the firewall. As far as potential for using blank buttons for something else, I still have two on the left side of the steering wheel. So far the gauge works great and updated more frequently then my Corollas OEM. For a test I put my hand around the sensor and noticed the temp increase. As you can see it is very cold here in Boston..but a great place none the less.

 

Sensor is located behind this fog light. Buss fuse and another install picture

 

I installed a La Crosse Technology WS-9002U-CAMO Wireless Camouflage Thermometer. Place the sensor as close to the front grille. Keep it out of direct rain and forced water. No wires...works great. Measures both inside cab and outside temps...with no wires at all!!!! Love it under $20.00 bucks. Unit handles south Florida heat inside the cab well.

 

Has anyone done a similar mod like this on a 2014 Trd ? Or any ideas ? I was thinking maybe trying to put something next to the hazard button where the clock used to be

 

anything ?

 

I'm looking into the same thing.... Any luck?

 

I did in my 4runner

 

Still have your 3rd Gen 4Runner? Been in love with it since I was 14 years old.

 

Yes I do! Wait, my 4runner or 3rd gens in general??