Most Important Gauges
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Southeastern IL
Most Important Gauges
Hey guys! Iv been wanting to get some gauges to montior my truck. Im just not sure which are the most important! I MIGHT get a 3 gauge pillar pod but idk.. theyre kinda expensive. One gauge I KNOW I'm going to get is a transmission temperature gauge. Those E4ODs are notorious for burnin up, so its a definite yes. But then what else do I need? The choices are endless! Anything that has liquid in it can have a sensor, and then some! Oil temp, oil pressure, water temp, tranny temp, rear end temp, t-case temp, vaccum, fuel pressure, fuel temperature, fuel level, speedo, tach, voltmeter, boost, NOS pressure, etc etc etc! (I went a little crazy lol. My truck couldnt use some of those) I could get a gauge for everything but thatd run well over $500, even with Summit Racing brand (about $25 a piece). My truck already has a speedo obviously, and the dummy gauges, but Id rather know exactly what its reading on some stuff like water temp. So what do you guys think?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
A simple oil pressure and water temp would be fine. Anything else is overkill for most. Unless you pull a trailer and want a trans temp?
I have the simple Autogage trio gauges in couple of my hot rods. Comes with bezel and all the hardware. The pillar mounts are nice.
I have the simple Autogage trio gauges in couple of my hot rods. Comes with bezel and all the hardware. The pillar mounts are nice.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
The E4OD is a lot tougher transmission than most give it credit for. The ones that fail are often abused or used outside of their design specs. After 1995 they were a LOT better and when they turned them into the 4r100 they really became tough. We've got one in a '93 E150 with a 351w that has ~150k on it with no issues.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
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From: Cleveland, TN
The E4OD is a lot tougher transmission than most give it credit for. The ones that fail are often abused or used outside of their design specs. After 1995 they were a LOT better and when they turned them into the 4r100 they really became tough. We've got one in a '93 E150 with a 351w that has ~150k on it with no issues.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
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A simple oil pressure and water temp would be fine. Anything else is overkill for most. Unless you pull a trailer and want a trans temp?
I have the simple Autogage trio gauges in couple of my hot rods. Comes with bezel and all the hardware. The pillar mounts are nice.
I have the simple Autogage trio gauges in couple of my hot rods. Comes with bezel and all the hardware. The pillar mounts are nice.
Honestly, most people get too wrapped up in having oil pressure; what you need is oil flow.
A big flashing light for the oil level will do better for most drivers than any pressure guage.
Robert
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From: Homestead
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Nowthen, MN
Here's what I did for a gauge pod, put it in the space on top of the dash above the radio. Got the pod for around 20 bucks on eBay. Not the best pic, but it's the only one I have.
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From: Toledo, Ohio
I always liked oil, water, and voltage. I have an air pressure gauge in my truck for my horns. Vacuum and fuel pressure are nice to have but not necessary.. All of those other gauges are pretty much meant for high performance or heavy truck.. No need to have diff temp and fuel temp on a 20 mile round trip pickup....
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Southeastern IL
Yea I just started naming off what come to mind lol. Id really like tto have a tranny temp gauge becasue I do tow a trailer every now and again and Id rather KNOW when its getting hot than THINK its getting hot.
And not sure what gauge would measure oil flow lol. But you can think like this: if the oil stops flowing, its gonna get hot which is when the oil temp kicks in, and also, the oil pressure light should come on. Same for water temp. Belt comes off the water pump, dummy light comes on.
Id really like to have 4 gauges I think: trans temp, water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure. Not too worried about volts. All youd need is some jumper cables lol.
And not sure what gauge would measure oil flow lol. But you can think like this: if the oil stops flowing, its gonna get hot which is when the oil temp kicks in, and also, the oil pressure light should come on. Same for water temp. Belt comes off the water pump, dummy light comes on.
Id really like to have 4 gauges I think: trans temp, water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure. Not too worried about volts. All youd need is some jumper cables lol.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
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When I get my engine swap done, I'll be updating the oil pressure switch to a true pressure sensor which will utilize the stock oil pressure gauge.
In a 3 gauge pillar pod I'm going to go with AFR (megasquirt with wideband O2), Trans temp (maybe add a switch to check oil temp from the same gauge), and an air pressure gauge for air bags that I want to add to the truck. All of the other information I'll pull through the MegaView display. Here's a thread showing it used in a 9th gen truck: Something different: 95 F-150 4.6 2V,5 Spd, T70, and Megasquirt 56K BEWARE!!!
In a 3 gauge pillar pod I'm going to go with AFR (megasquirt with wideband O2), Trans temp (maybe add a switch to check oil temp from the same gauge), and an air pressure gauge for air bags that I want to add to the truck. All of the other information I'll pull through the MegaView display. Here's a thread showing it used in a 9th gen truck: Something different: 95 F-150 4.6 2V,5 Spd, T70, and Megasquirt 56K BEWARE!!!