Use Scangauge and Garmin on new Ford E-450?

DAS26miles wrote:
We are buying a new 2016 Class C on the Ford chassis. I have been using scan gauge II and a Garmin Nuvi the past years in our 2004 Ford E-350. I think the new Ford has a built in tach, MPG and other functions but is missing the digital transmission temp, volts and engine temp on the scan gauge. The new MH will come with navigation, but will it be as good as my Garmin?
Another issue with the scan gauge and Garmin is where to put them if I want to use them. There doesn't seem to be any room for attaching with velcro or suction plate.

I have a 2015 but since the E450 hasn't changed (and likely won't again) since 2011 (I think), it should be the same. It does have a tach, engine temp, voltage, and oil P gauge, but none are digital. No tran temp and no MPG indicator. On my scangauge I keep tran temp, water temp (to be more precise than the dash gauge), MPG, and well, I forget the 4th one! For the tran temp, the x gauge lists 4 possibilities for the numbers...I had to use the 3rd one...first two didn't read.

The Garmin will most likely be better than what is built in but that depends on what brand/model you get. the one built in mine is ok if you just want to search for a restaurant or such, but I like to put detailed trip plans in mine..

For mounting, I pulled out the little insert that covers the area high on the dash where the upfitter switches would go (I don't have them), reshaped it a bit with a dremel and mounted the scan gauge there. Then ran the cable behind the console. Of course, this won't work if you have upfitter switches.

For the Garmin, I mounted it on top of the dash with an adhesive base mount and again routed the power cable under the dash and hardwired it to avoid dangling cords. Works well...My Garmin uses the newer mounts where the power cable plugs into the mount rather than directly to the GPS so I can remove it without unplugging each time which is handy