Sorry if posting in wrong area. New to this. I have a 2006 Ford F250 2 wheel drive automatic stock transmission crewcab 6.0 diesel with 112K miles on it. Head Gaskets done, EGR Cooler done, Oil Cooler done, Coolant Filter done. Stock everything. I have a SCT X4 tuner tunes by QuickTricks. I tow a 13K 5th wheel trailer a dozen times a year. Looking at buying gauges I was thinking Boost/EGT/Fuel Pressure Any suggestions on if I should get different choice on what gauges I've chosen. What brands of gauges? Truck is an everyday driver and I'm over 55 so not looking at becoming a race truck driver. Thank you for all the knowledge on this site

 

Fuel pressure is critical. I installed one because of advice given here - while I had everything out of the way, I put in a new blue spring kit just to be safe. Got everything buttoned back up and all was good until the next day when fuel pressure dropped down around 40 PSI - really bad news. After more help on this site, it wound up being a defective o ring. If I hadn't installed the gauge, I would have never known about it and just kept driving until my injectors toasted themselves.

I also have an EGT gauge, but rarely do I two anything like you do, my 5er is about 10K and I've never seen EGTs come close to maximum, but if they do, I'll know about it.

I may be wrong, but I rely on my dash boost gauge because I'm not really concerned on exactly how much boost I'm getting, as long as I'm getting some.

 

I agree on the fuel pressure gauge!! Be aware that your engine does not have a high pressure fuel pump. It has a high pressure OIL pump to actuate the injectors. If you see anything labeled fuel pressure when looking at an OBDII data reader, it will be the high pressure oil pressure from the ICP sensor. As stated above, the fuel pressure gauge add-on can help protect injectors, Watching the ICP pressure value (and the duty cycle of the IPR valve that is used to control the high pressure oil pressure) is good to watch occasionally (especially good in troubleshooting low power or a no-start).

You also need to keep an eye on the coolant and oil temps and stay aware of the differential between the two after the engine has fully warmed up.

This will give you information on the health of the oil cooler.

IMO the choice of coolant is VERY VERY important. The Ford Gold coolant is a poor choice. What coolant are you using?

You should also keep an eye on system voltage. It is important to catch a failing alternator or failing batteries as soon as possible (to save the expense of taking out your FICM).

I also like to watch boost and EGT's as you mentioned.

 

What o-ring had failed on the blue spring upgrade? I am concerned about mine that I just installed a month ago and am putting a fuel pressure gauge in right now. Thank you!

 

The one on the brass plug. At first it looked OK, but since I'd exhausted all other options, I looked it over closely and one side a slight tuck under. New kit took care of all my problems.

 

 

These Autometer gauges have never given me any trouble since installed more than a decade ago, and they match the factory instrumentation.
I appreciate the old school look and carbon fiber cups.