In preparation for a 2,900 mile towing trip in late March I’m thinking about installing oil and fuel pressure gauges. I already have a ScanGauge installed for transmission temp, coolant temp (which I guess is really cylinder head temp) and voltage. I have a few questions that I hope can be answered by those that have installed oil and fuel gauges.
1.) There is a dizzying array of gauges. I’m looking for gauges that are green light, have a black face and are full sweep. Any recommendations? My budget is around $80-$90 for both ($40-$45 apiece).
2.) Mechanical or electrical? My budget probably will limit it to mechanical but I thought I would ask just have more knowledge.
3.) I was probably going to do a double A-pillar pod since my ScanGauge is mounted with a Blend Mount above the review mirror. Any recommendation on where to buy a pod?
4.) Where is the best place to connect each probe on the engine and what do I need to install them properly?

Thanks in advanced for any tips and advice.

 

Anyone use GlowShift gauges? Little out of my price range but if they are good gauges then I'll stretch the budget.

 

This is what I plan on getting. Its a short sweep (electrical) but I plan on using the steering column pod so I don't think I will be able to see the full sweep right. A full sweep is also double the price. I have a Scangauge also. Summit sells plenty of pods and gauges. I like the steering pod because it comes in black.(no painting)

Short Sweep
Auto Meter 3827 - Auto Meter GS Series Analog Gauges - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Full Sweep
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-3853/

Pod
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-15010/

 

Nice gauges but the full sweep is twice what I would want to sent on both of them combined! I kind of like the idea of the steering pods. I will have to give that some thought.

 

Mechanical gauges should NOT be installed in the cab of the truck, especially fuel and oil pressure! If one of the gauges were to leak you could have a very serious problem. That's why they make electrical gauges - a sending unit is mounted under the hood that takes the pressure and converts it to a voltage for the gauge to read. With electrical gauges, the only thing going to the gauge itself is some wiring. With a mechanical gauge you will have 40+ psi of fuel pressure staring you in the face! Mechanical gauges are designed to be used outside the passenger compartment like on the cowl or under the hood. Yes, electrical gauges are more expensive, but they're the only safe way to install gauges inside the cab.

 

Good point and I thought about that after I made the original post. Electric gauges are the only way to go.

Back to topic. Anyone have gauges from GlowShift?

 

I haven't used GlowShift gauges, but I noticed Stewart Warner electrical fuel pressure gauges are only $93 on summitracing.com. They also have SunPros for $124. Similar AutoMeter gauges are $200+ and I've had problems with their sending units.

 

The AutoMeters are out of my price range. The Stewart Warner and SunPros are closer in price to what I want to spend. That's why I like the GlowShift because I can get both gauges and a 3 gauge A-pillar pod for $150 which is in line with my budget.

 

No on the Glowshift gauges. Frankly, I sense their website to be aimed at the ricer crowd.... I would fear the gauges would be typical CCC (cheap chinese crap).

I have been installing Autometer Z series... Not as nice/modern a lighting system as the GS series as they just use a standard light bulb inside. But still readable, good looking, and quite a bit cheaper...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2604/

Note: This one is mechanical.... which means tube into cab.

 

Ahh, here's the electrical:
Auto Meter 2634 - Auto Meter Z-Series Analog Gauges - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

Ahhh good find mwsF250. That Auto Meter is real close to budget price. Hopefully I can find a matching fuel pressure one.

 

I found the matching fuel pressure gauge. $190! The oil pressure gauge is only $63 so why the fuel one so expensive is beyond me.

 

Just curious has anyone tried the bully dog monitor?

 

I'm using a ScanGaugeII to monitor transmission and water temp and voltage. The Bully Dog is more a diesel product and I don't think it would be able to monitor anymore data points than the ScanGauge and it cost a heck of a lot more.

 

I use the VDO vision series gauges. Get them from egauges.com
Priced right, clean readable fonts, and excellent even lighting.
Fuel pressure is really not necessary unless you're running some form of forced induction.
JL