Plug and play compass temp mirror kit for 05-08 Tacoma's install & review.

This is the write up for the plug-in play Compass temp kit for 05 and 08 Tacomas from Bob Prim ( Bob's Automotive mirrors and more LLC).
Her is a link to the original post by Bob Prim.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-replace-non-working-overhead-display.428956/
Here is a picture of the kit.


Some pics of the stock mirror and the Gentex mirror.
stock Gentex
stock. Gentex
Gentex. Stock
Gentex on top. Stock on bottom.

The install is very straight forward. Remove your overhead sunglasses holder.( I call it that because my compass temperature sensor has never worked properly). unscrew the screw.
pull down and unplug the non working overhead compass.
Remove your stock rear view mirror and install the Gentex mirror. Plug the harness into the back of the Gentex mirror and run the wires over the top and underneath your head liner. See picture below. plug the overhead compass wire harness into the Gentex harness and secure it. I used 3m double sided tape to keep it from moving around.
Now install your overhead sunglasses holder in the reverse order of removal.

The wire cover was a little long so I trimmed it a bit.


Here is what it looks like after install is complete.

I am very pleased with the outcome of this mod. The mirror placement higher than the stock mirror and it has a working compass and temperature reading. The mirror has an auto dimming feature that work great at night. I did this mod because I was tired of spending money on the overhead compass. I had purchased one and repaired another one. The Arizona summer temps are hot and would fry the stock temp guage.

The stock sending unit that is in the grill did not work properly with the Gentex mirror. Bob Prim had a feeling that it would not work and sent out a sending unit that would. Here are some pics of that. (I had my grill off because I was relocating the horn and installing some behind the grill lights but it is not necessary to remove the grill to replace the sensor).
old sensor out
new sensor in.

After installing the sensor I went out for a drive to calibrate the compass. By a drive I mean an open area and drove in a circle for about 30 seconds. After 30 seconds of turning left I turned right for a bit. Not to calibrate the compass but they get rid of my dizziness.

I am glad that I was able to be a lab rat for Bob and contribute to the TW community. Bob Prim keept in contact via E-mail and responded promptly if I had any questions or concerns. If you are tired of messing around with a nonworking overhead stock compass I would highly recommend going this route.

 

I just installed mine the other day. Worked great and was easy to do even without the plug and play connector.

 

I removed the screw from the sunglass compartment, but how do you remove this entire plastic piece with dome lights and everything? Seems there’s more holding this together than just one screw.

 

Never mind, I found the YouTube video example. Put things back but I’m pretty sure the front metal clips aren’t installed properly as the whole things has a lot of slop now. But I found the wire tucked away up there, so that answers my question as far as if it’s actually there.

 

I did my swap last weekend. Totally easy. The new temp sensor just was an unplug the old sensor and plug in the new one. No wiring changes at all.

 

Does anyone know if you can calibrate the temp? I put the new sensor in and it seems to read between 3-5 degrees off (At least in comparison to a couple of freeway temp signs I pass in my travels.)