Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Suggestions for gauges

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2016 | 06:53 PM
  #1  
GuitarJesus's Avatar
GuitarJesus
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 3
From: Menifee, CA
Suggestions for gauges

On project Cobalt I'm going with 4 pod pillar. I'm thinking of doing a gauge for coolant temp, transmission temp, fuel pressure, and oil pressure.

Any suggestions for the fuel pressure gauge? I want it in the cab, not on the rail under the hood.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2016 | 06:59 PM
  #2  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Fuel pressure is a super pointless gauge to have, IMO. Any kind of tampering with the fuel system to get a pressure sensor in there is just asking for trouble. I think the coolant temp gauge is questionable too, since the stock gauge is a "real" gauge and works fine.

Really the only two gauges I'd consider adding would be transmission temp, oil pressure (since the factory oil pressure gauge is just a glorified light) and maybe oil temperature.
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2016 | 07:02 PM
  #3  
mrollings53's Avatar
mrollings53
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 4
From: Washington
2-1/16" FUEL PRESSURE, 0-100 PSI, FORD FACTORY MATCH
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 12:15 PM
  #4  
Nothing Special's Avatar
Nothing Special
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
I have a fuel pressure gauge on my '71 Bronco. It's been nice to have when the aftermarket in-line electric fuel pumps were failing (so I didn't have to spend any time figuring out why I was coasting to a stop on the side of the freeway). But mine is a low pressure gage for a carb, so it wouldn't be one you'd be able to use.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 06:47 PM
  #5  
4DB's Avatar
4DB
Junior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Upper Rio Grand, Colorado
GJ, are you considering wet gauges, or dry? And if dry, Autometer or Speed Hut (or other)? I'm having these same debates with myself.


Personally, I like the idea of a fuel pressure gauge though, 99% of the time, it won't tell you anything that you don't already know. But if it were me, I'd have 15 gauges, all telling me the same thing that they've been telling me for years.


I'm also agreed that coolant temp would be redundant.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 07:21 PM
  #6  
eakermeld's Avatar
eakermeld
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 4
From: South Central,MO

My fuel pressure gauge (on the bottom) is an ISSPRO. I went with it because it has the ability to be fine tuned, has a red warning light that can be set to a high AND low pressure setting, and the sender for the fuel rail came with the proper adapter.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 07:23 PM
  #7  
eakermeld's Avatar
eakermeld
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 4
From: South Central,MO
Here is the sender installed on the fuel rail
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 08:09 PM
  #8  
GuitarJesus's Avatar
GuitarJesus
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 3
From: Menifee, CA
The Ford rail takes 1/16 NPT?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 08:32 PM
  #9  
eakermeld's Avatar
eakermeld
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 4
From: South Central,MO
Yes it does. Just unscrew the schrader valve and screw the adapter in.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 08:49 PM
  #10  
GuitarJesus's Avatar
GuitarJesus
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 3
From: Menifee, CA
Originally Posted by eakermeld
My fuel pressure gauge (on the bottom) is an ISSPRO. I went with it because it has the ability to be fine tuned, has a red warning light that can be set to a high AND low pressure setting, and the sender for the fuel rail came with the proper adapter.
Is that mechanical or electric? You have a part number?
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2016 | 09:16 PM
  #11  
eakermeld's Avatar
eakermeld
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 4
From: South Central,MO
That one is electric. Actually all of them are electric. The fuel pres gauge part number is R17044. Here is a link to the best priced one I have found. Xtreme Diesel Performance | XDP - Search
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2016 | 12:18 AM
  #12  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

I like duplication. So there is a "T" on my oil sender port for the stock "gauge" & an electric aftermarket gauge. If one "zeros" out, I'm not worried. Both go zero, there's a problem.
This is before the aftermarket sender was added:



Originally Posted by Lead Head
... I think the coolant temp gauge is questionable too, since the stock gauge is a "real" gauge and works fine...
Originally Posted by 4DB
...I'm also agreed that coolant temp would be redundant.
I thought my engine was running the right temp with the factory gauge till I put in a mechanical in to backstop it & get a line on actual thermostat opening temps when I converted to an electric fan.
Then I tested some used electrical sender's resistances I picked up in the junkyard. Y'all keep thinking that.



Added a trans temp recently. Its in the pan, but I want to move its sender up to the test port or the output to cooler line.

 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2016 | 08:00 AM
  #13  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Originally Posted by Scndsin
I thought my engine was running the right temp with the factory gauge till I put in a mechanical in to backstop it & get a line on actual thermostat opening temps when I converted to an electric fan.
Then I tested some used electrical sender's resistances I picked up in the junkyard. Y'all keep thinking that.
Uh huh, and just what is the "right temp"? Redundant gauges are a waste of time, in my opinion, as are things like fuel pressure gauges. The only time you'd ever need to check fuel pressure, is if there's a problem. A permanent fuel pressure gauge is just going to tell you something you already know - there's a problem. You'd already know that, since you'd have noticeable running problems. IMO, gauges should tell you stuff that you can't readily see while driving - such as oil temp, trans temp, oil pressure. Having another coolant temp gauge to me is like those guys that put a big goofy AutoMeter tach in the car, when they already have one in the dashboard.

If I absolutely had to have a 4 gauge pillar, I'd have Trans Temp, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp and an engine vacuum gauge. At least a vacuum gauge can assist you in maximizing fuel economy.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2016 | 08:10 AM
  #14  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Lead Head
Uh huh, and just what is the "right temp"?
My 5.8 is spec'd @ 195* to open thermostat.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2016 | 08:11 AM
  #15  
Scndsin's Avatar
Scndsin
FTE Chapter Leader
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Lead Head
Uh huh, and just what is the "right temp"? Redundant gauges are a waste of time, in my opinion...
OK........
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:26 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 10:59:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE