I asked the Ford parts manager about wanting to get gauges for my truck. I am interested in EGT, transmission and turbo gauges. He said that the new trucks do not need them since everything is monitored by the computer. I am not sure I want to rely on the truck's computer only. I will be towing a 14,200 lb 5th wheel. What other gauges do you think I might need, someone mentioned air - how does that work? Thank you for your help in this.

 

Welcome to the 6.0 Forum here at FTE ..gregk. When you get a chance check out our 6.0 Tech Folder.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=303583

 

Tranmission temp and turbo boost is covered by the instrument cluster on my 06 F350. Exhaust gas temp is NOT. If you are running stock, the computer "should" prevent excessive EGTs (over 1250 * F). If you have chip or tuner you may exceed save EGTs. Michael

 

I just added the oil temp, trans oil temp and the EGT gauges on a piller pod. Used the new Stewart Warner Cameleon system. Watching those lamps change to any color you want is really kewl!!

I tow a 30' fiver, so that's why I wanted those 3 gauges. Boost is boost and I don't have a programer so didn't think I needed that. I DO wnat to keep and eye on those other two temps tho. The Ford tranny temp gauge is a joke.....and I know the oil pressure is up, but it's also nice to know the temp of that oil.

 

Thanks for the info. Does adding gauges to the truck void the warranty? I would think it wouldn't, but thought I would ask. My truck is stock with no mods.

 

Negative. The transmission temp gauge is a joke... it has essentially three states - slowly increasing for the first few minutes of engine runtime, "normal", and "way too hot". Crank your truck up and let it run... note the trans temp gauge climbing up. Funny, considering you haven't even put the truck in gear yet, thus should have no significant heating in the transmission.

The turbo boost gauge has been shown to be fairly inaccurate, but at least it's a real gauge.

And, I don't believe there's any sort of pyrometer in the factory installation, so the computer doesn't know what the EGTs are. Ford programmed the computer to not run hot enough to allow too-hot EGTs, but there have been reports from stock trucks with gauges that the EGTs climbed up into the unsafe zone when pulling big trailers up big hills.

Trans temp, boost, and pyro/EGT are quite useful gauges. That being said, I've not yet installed any in my truck.

 

I used the stock boost gauge. On my A-pillar I put volts, EGT, tranny (again do to the factory gauge) and oil temp. I can tell you when loaded up the tranny and oil get hot. I would get the gauges with that load you're pulling. $500 is good protection against a serious failure. You can't fix anything on these trucks engines or trannies for <$1000. Even though you still have a warranty, dealing with ford (who doesn't seem to understand that Superduty downtime costs people money) is a pain.

 

If you want to see how this lighting system looks, go here to see the video I took. http://www.discountpowerparts.com/On...Main_Page.html

 

It's a shame they made the lighting do nothing functional. How about having the colors shift with the indicated value (either as a smooth gradient or through various stages... say green/yellow/orange/red)? To go a bit further, as you approach the set danger limit on a particular gauge, have the system increase the brightness of the gauge too (to make sure you don't miss it.)

Now that, I'd buy. Analog gauges with digital smarts. There's a market...

 

That would be neat! I remember my Dad's old '48 Plymouth. It had a speedometer that did that. It started in green then changed towards red the faster you went. I used to see how red I could make it get......it stayed red from about 65 and as fast as we could pedal it.....90-95? Downhill...with a tailwind.

 

Can't say I'm familiar with that one... my father wasn't even born in 48, much less me.

Even better, how about a head-up display for the gauges?