I'm looking for some advice on getting some after market temp gauges for the transmission and coolant. I'm not getting any heat from my heater and I'm afraid if I put a skirt on the front I could over heat. I don't trust the stock gauges. Any advice would be grateful.

 

I've always been a fan of Stewart Warner gauges. Though they are, in my opinion, "industrial" with big stainless bezels-but they can take a beating. If I was going after something a little "softer" looking VDO would be my next choice. Summit Racing has a good selection, and more than enough other options to make your head spin.

 

If your not getting heat from the heater, the heater coils may be clogged....

I think I would fix that instead of band-aiding it by installing gauges

 

Is your truck getting up to temp? You may have a thermostat stuck open. Or if it is getting up to temp properly it could be a plugged heater core or the heater control valve. If you want gauges I prefer Auto Meter. I have had my Auto Meters for almost 4 years and haven't had a single issue.

 

I would agree you need to check the theromstat. I would also check your coolant, when is the last time you drained the system and put in new coolant.

 

Fix the problem.. not gauge it..

thermostat, heater core, water pump, radiator. control valves, dash doors.

Auto Meter or S&W... mechanical then electric.

on my go Fast car..
I had a full set in the Dash AND a full set under the hood... including a S&W 5 inch tachometer.
if you need to ask WHY a full set under the hood... think about it.

 

That's the problem is my waters not temping up, I figured it was because of the cold air forced through the radiator. From what I understand is that the stock gauges really only have three settings and don't really "gauge" the temp, it's either cold, warm or "to late". But the heater core could be the problem. Any other ideas?

 

I listed everything that is involved... that's common to your problem...

easy thing IF you want to get an infer-Red temperature gun... like $30 to $50... sight on engine part and read temperature.. upper hose, lower hose, water pump.. cylinder head... etc.

 

What year and engine is in the truck?

Where are you located?

 

 

Your "water's not temping up" where? In the radiator? The heater core? Do you have coolant flow in your radiator? Tested your thermostat? Do either of your radiator hoses get warm/hot when running?

A plugged radiator is a whole lot more serious than a plugged heater core.

 

if you do not want to spend $50 for a "OK" infer-red gun..

find a radio controlled car/airplane store.. for $20 will get you one..
it might be off by 10 degrees. but that does not matter.. its difference in one part to another for temp.

one radiator hose should be cooler then the other.. just like the header hoses.. one cooler then another... is left cylinder head the same as the right.. should be.

is water pump near same temperature as the warmest radiator hose .. and both cylinder heads.

trust me.. this is NOT rocket science

 

If you have an android smart phone, get a bluetooth obd2 adapter and scan it using the torque app. very cheap tools that have helped me out many many times.
Diagnose and don't guess/throw parts.

This will give you all the info and then some. Start by looking at the coolant temp. If it stays cold you have a stuck open thermostat.
If it comes up to operating temp, your gauge has an issue. You can also see the transmission temp, oil temp, and much more.
The stock gauge isnt great but does show the temps moving up slowly from cold to about the middle of the gauge.

 

Even when it is -10F, my truck (see sig) is blowing scorching hot air within the first 4 or so miles of driving.

 

Is the truck a diesel??