DIY: Install of a Scangauge II using a Blendmount rear view mirror mount.

Great post...gonna use these tips. Any recs on the best place to buy?

 

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Your tip and pics made it painless for me, except the incredible summer heat in July. Thank you very much.

 

Great post, thank you.

 

I know Im digging deep here, but this is a great help. Great job and thank you!!!!

 

Seems like there are more than a few things in the 2012 that are 'different' or people have not updated their websites.

Thx
Ron

 

i just installed a scanguage in my 2009 tacoma, I used the blendmount and it looks nice above the mirror. Only problem was with the rear back up camera wiring, it dosnt leave much room for the mount. I was able to remove the wire covers for the camera and tuck the original scanguage wire in under it and it turned out fairly nice. I did not have to use the extra length of cable provided with the blend mount, the factory wire with the guage fit with a few inches to spare by just tucking it along the side of the A-pillar and down the side of the dash.
Looking forward to installing my URD map chip in the morning.

 

I picked up a used scanguage with blend mount and installed it in approx 45 minutes. Thanks for the excellent write up and pictures.

I was able to fish the line up though the dash without taking off the lower kick panel in my truck. Also for those wondering it seems the original cable was just long enough for a comfortable install and I did not need the additional extension wire that was supplied with mine.

Up next I will be programing the Xguage temp code for the transmission.

 

I just used the blendmount and screwed it to the headliner. I don't think I've removed the Scanguage since I put it in back in 08.

 

Thanks for the write up. The bike tire levers was a great touch, and made it easy to hide the wiring. I also did not remove the kick panel, and just fished it down the side pilar.

One thing I will note, is that the Blend Mount has changed significantly from the version you have. Mine is a single piece of sheet steel, like yours, but has two bends in it now, one just an inch or so from the point where it mounts to the mirror, and another that is the thickness of the back of the SG2. The bends in the metal have perforations, if you will, so that it can be bent easily to shape the angles to fit your particular vehicle. Nice touch. The stand offs are now provided in three lengths, made of plastic, with three screw sizes.

It also comes with the super tough 3M Dual Lock tape, which is awesome, I actually just bought some of that stuff to install my HID ballasts.

Anyway, overall, a very clean looking install, looks very factory looking, which is what I was after.

I also ended up using a USER display color of Red=3, Green=1, Blue=0, and that's pretty close to the amber truck lighting.

 

Super! I just installed my Scangauge II using Detective_Dan's mod but the instructions for running the cat cable through the A-pillar and headliner were very helpful.

I tried the Blendmount, it limited movement in the rearview mirror more than I cared for and I wasn't pleased with how it was setup with the backup camera cable).

 

really like the location above the rear view. Better than behind the gear shift handle.

 

Great write up...
i have a question about how people deal with the back up enabled rear view mirror... Its arm shape is different than yours slightly... does it hinder with the installation and how does one get past this...
I have a ScanGauge II and Blendmount sitting in a box right now and i will attempt the install tomorrow...
thanks,

 

Thanks to Mav for the great write up and pics, and to other contributors who gave additional tips about cable length and routing, as well as gauge mounting options.

So to summarize mine, in case any perusing this thread cares.

1) '13 Access Cab base + convenience package + I've added the rearview mirror with backup display, temp, compass, autodim. So the mirror is a bit fatter than OE. Ok, a lot.

2) already had a SCII, sitting on top of the column, didn't like it blocking my view of the odo and some indicator lights too much.

3) Routed the cable as indicated, no extensions or anything. Used a piece of 12gauge copper wire as a 'fish tape' went down from the dash side, connected the small end of the cable, and pulled it up. Much easier than trying to hand feed.

4) put a piece of heavy duty hook Velcro on top of the SCII. Positioned the SCII at the same angle as the rearview (so they are parallel) and mounted it to the headliner.

Works great, looks neat, easy to see. Out of my way on the dash view.

Thought of Velcro to the top of the rearview, as its quite a bit wider than the stock one, but it's too curved for the flat bottomed SCII to look/fit right IMHO.

Saved the cost of the blend mount (which would have cured the curve issue) but I didn't trust the blend mount to fit the mirror stem properly. Plus I'm 'frugal Scottish'.

Again, thanks to all who contributed info sharing their techniques.

 

can you adjust MPG with the tire size?