I am picking up my truck tomorrow and have been trying to find info on gauges. What do people suggest? I am thinking about a three gauge A pillar installation.

 

Even though your new truck has a factory boost and tranny gauge...I would recommend the following:

EGT (Pyro)
Boost
Tranny

For all intesive purposes the tranny gauge is a "dummy" gauge (Cold, Operating temp, Hot). It does not tell you real time data..

The boost gauge is pretty accurate, but lacks granularity due to being measured in 5 psi increments. It's also in a really bad spot IMO and blends in too much with the factory cluster. I like to have parameters I am monitoring in one spot with easy to read gauges so I'm not looking all over the place while driving.

I highly recommend Auto Meter. Below is a night shot of the Ultra-Lite II gauges (trans, pyro, boost) and Ultra-Lite D-PIC (Dynamic Performance Information Center)

 

I am also looking into guages. I like the look of the ISSPRO guages as they match the OEM colors/look. An additional question, which pyrometer length? Most I have seen for this application are either 1-1/2" or 2-1/2" in length and most are adjustable. Which length gets closest to center when installing in the exhaust manifold?

Thanks.

 

hey bear hunter, those guages and that truck look awesome, what did u pay for those autometer guages and pillar mount? did u paint the pillar to match interior? does the autometer guage kit come with all installation hardware, tubing and fittings? what is that Ultra-Lite D-PIC (Dynamic Performance Information Center) and what does it do? i have a 2006 ps and was wanting to add some guages for monitoring the engine closer....

 

Thanks man... yes I painted the POD to match the interior trim. Since I have a Harley I had to get the paint custom mixed at Sherwin Williams. Ford offers interior paint and so does VHT...but they did not have a match for my 07. Yes, Auto Meter comes with everything you need to do the install. You will have to buy some wire for the Boost guage in order to run a ground and 12v light...boost tubing and fittings are included. All the others have harnesses and senders.

The D-PIC measures the following:

1. Real time G-Forces (positive/negative and lateral)
2. Rear wheel horsepower
3. 1/4 mile time & reaction time
4. 0-60mph time
5. 60-0mph braking distance

Pretty handy to determine what effects your MODs have on your truck

 

Thanks for the reply Bear Hunter. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of those gauges in the day time? Also, is that a 4 gauge A pillar pod? And where did you buy it?

 

BearHunter...the new truck is look'n great.

I had a 4 pillar in my 05. I didnt care for it too much. It blocks alot of the view. I recently switched over to a Quadzilla Commander. Very nice and compact. I have a hard decision coming when the SCT Live Wire comes out. That too looks very nice, and I will be able to load my custom tunes in it.

Dont get me wrong, analog gauges are tuff to beat for dependability. We sell alot of Autometer, Stewart Warner, Dipricol, and Issopro, and they function flawlessly. We carry many brands, but have had our greatest success with these brands on the diesels.

A little trick I like to do for an A pillar mount:
Once I get everything in place. I push the pod against the pillar a little snug, then I take a sharpy and find a few spots that will be covered by weather stripping, or just out of the way where its not too noticable, and mark them. I pull the pod and A pillar back off, and holding the pillar and gauge pod together, I drill tiny holes in those hidden locations. Then I just put in some small SS screws (hex heads), washers, and nuts to hold it together nice and tight. Then you just pop the entire assembly into the factory tab slots. It may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I cant stand it when an A pillar starts to rattle after time. I have even seen crappy brand pods warp a little against the windshield from the sun. Maybe its a little over kill, but its something a little custom I like to do to my trucks. Call me crazy lol. Those little push in buttons they give you dont impress me very much hehehe.
Whatever you decide to get, gauges are a great investment on any truck, stock or not.