Cheap Easy Outside Temp Gauge Mod

Having lost an outside temperature reading when I switched from my Jeep to the Tacoma, I decided to figure out how to get this option back. My stock radio can give me weather and temp but only with a HD signal. I also ride with the radio running off with a screen saver mostly. When I’m in the mountains is always nice to know when it hits freezing for driving and camping. When looking for remote temp gauges I came across the one below for about $8. Decided to try and make is as clean as possible on or in the dash. If i couldn’t easily do this I was just going to put it facing through the softopper window in the back. Happy with the results below. Think I’ll keep it.



Fed the cord through an already there hole in the door seal and made a slit on the other side with a blade. Seals it up nicely on the other side.


Then fed it under the hood and around that bolt to keep it out of the way of the hood hinge. Slid it into the vents. I believe this will be a good spot. The sun doesn’t hit it directly and shouldn’t be affected be engine heat. If it’s not reading accurately, it can be easily moved.



I added some 3M Dual Lock Velcro and found a nice spot for it. It’s pretty easy hiding the cord just by pushing the oh shit handle panel back. That should do it. Enjoy your new mini display.





Link for Amazon: Qooltek Digital Thermometer Thermostat Oven thermometer with Probe for Vehicle Fish Tank Aquarium Refrigerator Embedded (Fahrenheit)

$10 Qooltek Digital LCD Thermometer Temperature Gauge Aquarium Thermometer with Probe for Vehicle Reptile Terrarium Fish Tank Refrigerator(Fahrenheit)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PQ2GJNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_N4TEmNyriUgfi

 

I leave my phone on a magnet mount and it tells me the outside temp of the day. Now way I would be cutting anything up or making holes just to know what the temp is outside. To each their own though as long as you like it.

 

True. But in the backcountry and on mountain passes there isn't any cell service. This is where I play a lot living in Colorado. The cut is less than half a centimeter, just one. If you pull the cord out it seals up again. The hole on the other side is there already from the production process.

 

Ah yes Mountain Region I guess it makes sense

 

This would definitely be useful for me. Like your 2014, mine didn't come with an outside temperature gauge. Even with cellular/data service, the temperature wouldn't be accurately reflected and could be off by quite a bit. There are places where even on the highway, outside temps wouldn't be accurately reflected on my phone. Believe it or not, our roads in some parts of Hawaii do experience ice and freezing temps on the highway.
I've been looking for options for a temp gauge without having to use one of those auto dimming rear mirrors. I really don't like those. Thanks for posting this. This is at least a cheap try.

 

I've been wanting to do something like this, but can't find a location for it that satisfies my OCD. Trying to find a smaller gauge that will ideally fit in the mirror control switch blank.

 

Well I'm aware of the snow you do get, but you're right, would't think about needing it for ice on the highway out there. This one refreshes constantly and has been within one degree of what my phone says at times. But like you said, the data the phone is getting is probably every 5-10min. and mountain passes with elevation change wouldn't be picked up by most weather stations. This one is small and doesn't distract. Plus it will continue to show a reading even when the truck is off. I'll be continuing to compare it to other sources including my girlfriend's subie temp gauge. Enjoy.

 

Yeah, wanted this to not distract. It's pretty small and isn't in view till I look for it. Was considering putting it in the drawer to the left of the steering wheel, opening it to check... But if roads are about to ice, this wasn't ideal obviously.