Scan Gauge II Modification

I think that others have mounted the ScanGauge in the same manner as you are contemplating. Personally, I think this position is too far away from the other instruments and vision line out the windshield; I have mine mounted on the dash next to the MFD - it is not esthetically pleasing, but very functional.

 

Here's mine. I removed the glovebox to check the area behind the tray before drilling. There was at least an inch of clear space behind, but I drilled slowly nevertheless. The wire runs behind and connects to the OBDII port and is totally hidden.

 

I have a proclip centre mount (see the pc shop) to hold my nokia n95 w gps, so when i got my scangauge, i just made a bracket with a piece of 1 inch angle aluminum and screwed it to the proclip plate so the sgII is held to the left of my phone, and above the car's power button. This doesn't interfer with my view of anything, but I'm tall so it may not work for everyone. For me, when driving with my hands at 10 and 2 (like drivers ed taught me 35 years ago), the sg is just above my right knuckles... sorta between the speedometer and mfd.

The wire comes out the side of the sg, not the back, goes behind the phone, then down the seam to the right of the gear switch. There's also a phone cord like wire (for those of us old enough to remember phone cords) coming from the phone holder across to the power point to keep my phone charged. The wiring i guess isn't super clean, but the sg is best when it can easily be consulted without moving your eyes much, imo.

 

The center cover piece pops off easily. If I remember correctly I ran the cord up from behind the center cover and into the back of the cubby, by fishing it up with a smaller wire routed down through the hole. Once this is done you can store the extra cabling behind the center cover and route the end to the OBDII connector. This makes the cabling totally hidden.

 

Look at the attached photos to see the way I have installed my Scangauge II. I built a small balsa bridge to elevate the gauge to make it visible from my driving position, and velcro'd the balsa bridge to both the gauge and the steering wheel cover. The latter is at the lowest down stop which is most comfortable for me (at 5" 8"), so it might not work for taller drivers.

I find this location easy to access visually as well as manually. I use the rear cable connection for the input data stream, with the excess cable wrapped and clipped out of sight close to the OBD plug. No drilling of holes required. The gauge does disappear behind the steering wheel center cover when turning corners, but eyes-on-the-road is mandatory then.

 

I put mine there also, I am 6'1 so the block wasn't needed. I think it's a great place and very easy to install it tere.

 

In my option: the scangauge should be closer to line-of sight... You do NOT want to be looking down away from the windshield when driving. Down there is even worse then the MFD. Perhaps your not planning on using the real-time gauges?

 

I used the velcro mount to put it on the dash so I can see it in the top gap of the steering wheel opening. I don't have to divert my eyes too far from the road when checking a gauge. See pic.

 

Valentine One? What is that?

 

Oh probably the BEST radar detector ever made.....

MGT Motorsprts makes a very nice mount for under mirror operation, and it's quick disconnect, so you can hang on to it!!

They also make a mount for the Scanguage.....

BlendMount / ScanGauge II -- MGT Motorsports Online Store

 

73 years young, driving for 55 years, never had a radar detector and never seen the need. If you're speeding you are liable to get caught before your detector alerts you anyway!
So what's the point?

 

Actually, no your not! been driving for 40 years and 30 of them here in SoCal, detectors work. My 4Runner has had a built in detector since 95, NEVER BEEN PULLED OVER for speeding. The 4Runner cruises nicely at 82 .... CHP's radar is always on, I hear them way before I see them, slow down, let other folk pass me, they get nailed. Also, if you monitor 154.905 Mhz you can pck up CHP vechicle extender, it has less than 3/4 mile range. If I hear 'em on that I know they are around!
So far the count is avoided tickets with detector 7, actual speeding tickets 0!
They work, but only if you pay attention. Maybe in other states you have problems, it works just fine here!!

Besides I like to know where they are, and I do!!

 

I lover my Valentine, I don't speed...
I like to know where the police are using radar so I can be ready for the idiots who don''t have (it) to slam on their brakes and swerve into another lane, especially when I'm pulling a trailer.
ymmv

 

I installed the scan gauge onto the upper dash panel using supplied velcro on the back of the gauge, onto 1/2"x1/2"x1/8" aluminum angle wrapped with (wide) industrial velcro,onto carpet "Dash Mat".Wiring is feed between the steering column and the upper dash panel and is only visible in the area next to the start button. I could mount the gauge above the steering wheel, closer to the speedometer but would have more exposed wires showing unless I poke a hole in the carpet dash mat.Without using the velcro bracket, the velcro on the back of the gauge would eventually move/slip from poor adhesion or heat.With the velcro bracket, the gauge no longer moves from the velcro slipping and I can also adjust the viewing angle between the steering wheel opening if I get any glare on the gauge face.

 

I installed the scan gauge onto the upper dash panel using supplied velcro on the back of the gauge,
onto 1/2"x1/2"x1/8" aluminum angle wrapped with (wide) industrial velcro,
onto carpet "Dash Mat".


Wiring is feed between the steering column and the upper dash panel and is only visible in the area next to the start button. I could mount the gauge above the steering wheel, closer to the speedometer but would have more exposed wires showing unless I poke a hole in the carpet dash mat.


Without using the velcro bracket, the velcro on the back of the gauge would eventually move/slip from poor adhesion or heat.


With the velcro bracket, the gauge no longer moves from the velcro slipping and I can also adjust the viewing angle between the steering wheel opening if I get any glare on the gauge face.