Community Forums

gearman · 05-19-2005, 07:03 AM

Good gages will cost a little (approx $300), but needed even in a stock truck. It isn't hard to exceed the max exhaust temps.

I have installed gages in my 2 fords and helped a friend do his dodge. its easy to do, don't pay someone to do it.

There are more options than just the A-piller mount, I like the mount down by the speedo, fuel, ect...

if you haven't checked out DIS, do it now. www.dieselpage.com
they have a good site with lot of photos of different set ups.

DNR250 · 05-22-2005, 08:44 AM

Gauges cost about $300 for the 'standard' pyro, turbo and trans and may included the painted A-pilar mount. It takes about 2-3 hours to install the gauges if you take our time. They are a worth while upgrade to the truck and since they are only monitors, can't void the warranty. If in doubt, most dealers carry a gauge set that can be installed by them.

I personally believe they are necessary for towing because they will give you a window on the basic operations of the system. They will also assist in increasing fuel mileage. In the future, when you decide to add a power mod, you'll already be ahead of the game.
DNR

WannaDmxsub · 05-22-2005, 07:11 PM

I can only speak to the Chevy (duramax)
Stock, gauges are not required. But they are a good idea. Like FatDog said, they will "tell you a story" that you want to read.
Modified, gauges are a requirement. All I can say is WOW!
I have a SPA digital gauge that shows boost and EGT. A feature that I really like is that I can set it to flash at a pre determind boost and temp. Don't have to watch the gauge, I can see it flashing in the corner of my eye. It will also save the Highs, so that I can go back and see what I just did.(ooops)

The gauge is in a cup that I have mounted on the dash next to the A-pilar, easy to read.

thecatsfan · 05-23-2005, 05:14 AM

I have the A-Pillar 3 gauge mount with pyro, boost and fuel pressure. Don't need the tranny temp with a stick. This was the first mod I ever did to my truck and will be the first mod I ever do on the next one.

Gauges do more than keep you from exceeding an operating limit. They tell you if something is operating out of normal. If driving conditions have remained constant, but you are suddenly running 200 degrees hotter, it might be a good idea to find out why before the truck breaks down and leaves you stranded. The warranty doesn't reimburse for aggravation. That's why I have a fuel pressure gauge. My lift pump is still under warranty, but I want to know it's dying before my family is stranded on the side of the road on our vacation.

If nothing else, I think an EGT gauge is needed if you tow or haul heavy or in tough conditions - even for a stock truck. Frankly, I don't know why the manufacturers don't install EGT gauges in these trucks. For me, I tow in the Rocky Mountains. You'd be surprised after running uphill to go camping how long it takes to cool the engine down to a safe shutdown temperature. Sometimes it's more than five minutes.

Two Bit · 05-26-2005, 03:49 AM

We just got our diesel last week and I will add gauges. Looking at various pictures, it seems that the three gauge mount above the rear view mirror would be a good place and not increase the size of the A pillar (to have to look around). Does anyone have their gauges mounted in a pod above the rearview? Do you like it there?

thecatsfan · 05-26-2005, 06:22 AM

I've never seen the ones above the rear view mirror - interesting idea.

Personally, I really like the A-pillar mount. I have never felt like they distracted me at all, and the impact on the driver's field of vision is very minimal - at least it seems so to me. I have never felt the need to look around them at all. In fact, when I'm not towing, I can easily forget that they are even there. I wouldn't move my gauges anywhere else.

Two Bit · 05-26-2005, 06:53 AM

Look at this websight for gauges mounted in places other than the A pillar
http://www.dieselmanor.com/gauges/gauge_kits_psd.asp

boondocker · 05-28-2005, 04:55 PM

Downhill slow towing will ruin your Ford 4R100 tranny!!!

Gauges needed!

After installing a tranny temp gauge (ford 4r100) it became clear to me why my first auto tranny failed, and why I almost destroyed my second tranny! My first tranny failed at only 10,000 miles. I figured just bad luck. Ford installed a rebuild at no charge to me. I installed a tranny gauge in this second 4r100.

On a trip, going downhill, trailer in tow, in second gear(automatic) at about 15-20 miles/hour and with the exhaust brake on, all seemed well at first.

I had perfect control on this very steep, narrow, windy, no pullouts, Colorado back road, 10 mile long
shortcut. Just easin' on down the mountain. Seemed like a great setup.

Hah! Guess what! Tranny guage started to climb rapidly. At 210deg I was getting worried. At 230deg I knew I was in trouble. Then it went nuts, passing 250 deg and pegging beyond the numbers. It did this all within less than 1/2 mile!! (There was no place to pull over).

Anyway,after about another mile, finally got pulled over. The tranny smelled real bad. Got the oil (Mobil 1 syn) changed. Had an analysis done by blackstone labs on the burned oil. Conclusion "lots of carbon chunks but no metal, oil is ruined". I'm knocking on wood that the tranny will continue to survive.

That's also how I ruined the first tranny with no guages. DOWNHILL slow towing under 30 mph. Having a guage clued me in that I was just about to burn up my second tranny.

The torque converter unlocks under about 30 mph on these ford 4r100's, and this unlocked condition causes a RAPID rise in tranny fluid temps. Same condition as backing up a trailer. The torque converter is unlocked.

This is surely a design flaw and the only way to manage it is to use a tranny guage. Seems to only be a problem when towing a heavy load. Good Luck, watch those gauges and keep your power stroke above 30 mph

VE6FMP · 12-11-2005, 09:57 PM

I don't have a diesal MH just a Fod V-10. Bought it last summer and will be installing trany, diff, temp gauges, vaccuum guage and a house battery volt meter. I looked over this site and will custom build a mount for above the mirror. I always installed extra gauges in my vehicles since 1973 and saved the bacon several times. The manufactures need to install more gauges and tachs instead of idiot lights.

Forbes VE6FMP

Rick A · 12-12-2005, 03:22 AM

I have gauges on my stock '99 F-350. The only story they have told me is that every thing is fine. I don't regret spending the money though, and would do it again. It is nice insurance in the event something does go wrong, you will know a lot sooner and avoid much more serious damage. I got my 3 gauge A-Pillar set from Dieselmanor. It included everything needed to install with excellent directions and only took me about 2 hours to install. I am not the most mechanically inclined, so I would say your average truck owner should be able to install themselves.