Scangauge II Install (so easy a caveman could do it)

[USAFTUNDRA]

My daughter and I installed the Scangauge II today. I thought a long time about where I wanted this thing.

I liked Hispeed's mod a lot: Scan Gauge 2 owners I also liked Dibble9012's variation on Hispeed's idea: Scan Gauge 2 owners

Cascadia's ashtray mod was really good too and it got me thinking: New Scan Gauge install thread

I didn't really care for the Blendmout option. It's nice, but too much wire to run and once I looked at my mirror I think it would have messed with my head trying to make it work: MGT Motorsports Shopping Cart

I'm not handy enough for the first mod, I wanted my gauge a little higher than the second mod and like I said I didn't like option three. So I brainstormed and this is what I came up with.

First: Go to Radio Shack and buy a wall speaker mount for a small rear surround sound speaker. Here is the exact mount that I bought:

RadioShack.com - Home Entertainment: Accessories: Audio accessories: Speaker accessories: OmniMount® AB1 Tilt and Swivel Mounting Kit (Black)
It's an Omnimount AB 1. Price is about $18.00 with tax. It comes with all the mounting hardware you will need for this mod, including a drill bit. It also has an allen wrench that allows you to position the mount at three pivot points so you can angle the mount in any direction.

I also picked up some black zip ties while I was at Radio Shack.

Next I bought some 3M emblem adhesive because as stated in other threads the Velcro that comes with Scangauge doesn't work very well.

Steps:

1. Take out your ashtray.*
2. Flip in over and take out the two screws in the bottom. Gently pull the tabs up that the screws were in and take the face off the ashtray.
3. Use your supplied allen wrench to rotate the mount base so that the long part will be parallel with the bottom of the ashtray cover. Put your mount base on the ashtray to mark drill points. Place it so that the bottom of the base is flush with the bottom of the ashtray cover. Using the supplied bit, drill two holes.
4. Use a screwdriver and using the supplied pointed screws mount the base to the ashtray cover. Now just put the mount back together and put your ashtray in.
5. Using 3M adhesive, put the Velcro on the mount and the Scangauge.
6. Pull the housing that is under the Ashtray (the grey plastic that houses the aux power ports and airbag "off" key hole). Be careful not to break the plastic fasteners.
7. Run Scangauge cord along mount. Tie with zip tie and run under ashtray and behind grey housing.
8. Button everything back up and fiddle with the Velcro and the angle of your gauge until you get the right fit for you.
Congrats! You are Doneplete.






Here is a view from under the ash tray. If you place the mount low enough, there is a space that will allow for the screws without getting into the ashtray itself. Be mindful of the support struts in the ashtray cover and you won't hit them either.


UPDATE: Click link below to see how I modified the mount for more stability
Scangauge II Install (so easy a caveman could do it)

*My Wife gets credit for talking me into the ashtray. It's the best place for me. But with this mount and the way it rotates to any position, you could really place it anywhere.

[Pipecrew]

Pretty sweet! How much do they cost??

[Tundradrenalin]

Originally Posted by Pipecrew

Pretty sweet! How much do they cost??

OMG, click the links. ~ $160.



Nice install, I like your choice.

[USAFTUNDRA]

Originally Posted by Tundradrenalin

Nice install, I like your choice.

Thanks. Seems to be the biggest issue with this unit is where to put it. Really neat toy though. Can't wait to mess with it some more.

[Hispeed]

Well done!
Just don't fixate on it down there. That's why I mounted mine where I did.
I knew I'd rear end someone while I was obsessing over my MPG.

[Brad's Dad]

Nice mounting job. I'm considering purchasing and this idea works!

Are you able to get transmission temperature to read out on your Scangauge II? I emailed the company with that question about my '06 (as well as how many cords I'd need for our 4 vehicles) and never heard back. Tranny temp is one reason I'd buy the Scangauge for sure (not to mention code reading on the 4 vehicles in our family).

Thanks for the great post and any info on tranny temp.

Fred

[GORILLA]

hi, where does it connect to?
it looks like 1 wire to plug in. into what, & where?
can someone post of picture of where it goes.
i seen several options of the mounting position places.
great idea's.
thanks,
gorilla

[GORILLA]

hi,i see there are a few types of scangauge 2.
with that said - what is the newest latest version?
thanks
gorilla

[Tundradrenalin]

Originally Posted by GORILLA

hi, where does it connect to?
it looks like 1 wire to plug in. into what, & where?
can someone post of picture of where it goes.

OBD2 port under your stearing column.

[USAFTUNDRA]

Originally Posted by Brad's Dad

Nice mounting job. I'm considering purchasing and this idea works!

Are you able to get transmission temperature to read out on your Scangauge II? I emailed the company with that question about my '06 (as well as how many cords I'd need for our 4 vehicles) and never heard back. Tranny temp is one reason I'd buy the Scangauge for sure (not to mention code reading on the 4 vehicles in our family).

Thanks for the great post and any info on tranny temp.

Fred

Sadly it does not read transmission temp. It has a few short falls but all in all it's a lot packed into one little package. Glad you liked the post.

[GORILLA]

hi, the only plug like i see under my steering column is white about 1 1/2 wide multi port and its more like under my dash. more in line of right under the key, not the steering column. is that it?
if not ,
could it be that i would have to remove the plastic steering column casing to gain access to that port your talking about?
thanks
gorilla

[USAFTUNDRA]

Originally Posted by GORILLA

hi, the only plug like i see under my steering column is white about 1 1/2 wide multi port and its more like under my dash. more in line of right under the key, not the steering column. is that it?
if not ,
could it be that i would have to remove the plastic steering column casing to gain access to that port your talking about?
thanks
gorilla

Just for the Gorilla. Enjoy!

[GORILLA]

that's it.
i thought so.
thanks

[GORILLA]

hello again, i have another stupid question.
i messaged a few people on ebay already.
i also checked the compatability.
be careful not all scanguage2's are alike.
the newest and latest version is suppose to be the: Xguage.
it has the auto transmission feature.
it is a 3.15version.

there are these types out there:ALL scanguage 2's
Xguage has the auto transmission feature
add a guage
3in1
plus
or at least that is what i'm being told.

i have no idea whats the difference.

not all versions of the scan guage 2 will work on the tundra. or so i'm told.
even if it has a OBD2.

so with that said, NOW- i'm really lost, & i'm not sure which 1 to buy.
anyone???
regards,
gorilla

[USAFTUNDRA]

Originally Posted by GORILLA

hello again, i have another stupid question.
i messaged a few people on ebay already.
i also checked the compatability.
be careful not all scanguage2's are alike.
the newest and latest version is suppose to be the: Xguage.
it has the auto transmission feature.
it is a 3.15version.

there are these types out there:ALL scanguage 2's
Xguage has the auto transmission feature
add a guage
3in1
plus
or at least that is what i'm being told.

i have no idea whats the difference.

not all versions of the scan guage 2 will work on the tundra. or so i'm told.
even if it has a OBD2.

so with that said, NOW- i'm really lost, & i'm not sure which 1 to buy.
anyone???
regards,
gorilla

Doggone Gorilla. Just when I was out enjoying my Scangauge you have to go and let me know I don't have the best that it can be
Here is a link that lets you get the upgrade for free.
Looks like I'll have to fill out the form and send mine in.

ScanGaugeII - Upgrade

Nope I checked mine...it's got it. Didn't know about the feature. Manual is hard to read. I tried adding the Horse Power and it didn't work on the tundra. Doesn't look like much can be added for the Tundra.
http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf

UPDATE! I entered the code wrong. Online one of the zeros looked like a D. I can now see how many horses I'm pulling. This thing is great!