Many years ago the manufacturers went away with numbers on gauges. A main reason was to reduce warranty work. Too many: "My neighbors temp gauge reads 180 and I have the exact same car and it reads 175. What is wrong?" I'd learn the characteristics of the gauge in my vehicle and worry when things changed. Most gauges in todays vehicles are indicating all is well when they are pointing close to 12 o'clock. My '04 is 200 miles away right now, too far to check, but I'll bet that a temp warning light will come on in an overheat situation. The manufacturers know how many people consistently monitor gauges.

 

OK, Wildcard... I'll flush my 12 years experience as a tier one, design responsible, Ford cooling system supplier down the toilet. Obviously, it means nothing.

 

I don't doubt the accuracy of my gauges but I for one would really like to see numbers on gauges. I hate not knowing the exact temp, charge, pressure, etc. After all these are macho trucks, give us macho gauges. Another bone of contention of mine is that Ford really pushes the towing ability of these trucks and I believe the weakest link is tranny temp. So why don't they at least give us the option of a temp gauge for the tranny on their trucks? I had a class A motorhome (1977 Dodge 440) that I burned two trannys out of--then I finally got smart and installed a gauge (and finally recored the radiator--the unit was 20 yrs old at the time--that was causing the whole problem to start with--the repair shop paid for 1/2 of the second tranny because they felt some blame in not fixing the problem the first time).

 

In the late 80's-early 90's ford went to a switch for sending units on the oil pressure and temp. Just as steve91 said... to many people where comming in and complaining about oil pressure fluxuations. Now when you get oil pressure, the gauge just goes to where the resistance in the gauge is set for the needle to sit. My father had to deal with this as a service advisor

 

My main contention here is when I spend 30-35K for a truck that will work and pull things I would think the least ford could do is give a man real guages including a tranny temp guage other manufactures have for years, just too much to ask from ford I guess???

 

Blame all those whiners who caused Ford to have to take measures to reduce nuisance work loads. If you spend millions of dollars a year on NPF payments to dealerships, unjustified repairs, and Voice of the Customer parts replacements when there is no actual faults, you take measures that others may not like.

 

You may be right but all these cheap measures ford is taking is beginning to show, check last months sales figures and I think it will get worse before it gets better??????????

 

If you think they are in deep because of little things like that then you really need to do some real research.

 

Guys - thanks for the interesting and thought provoking input.


Going back to my original post, if I decide to add the Autometer Temperature gauge (Z-series to match my transmission temp. gauge), I'm trying to see whether to add the 'electrical' or 'mechanical' gauge. Any idea which is more accurate / dependable?

Thanks.

 

My main contention here is when I spend 30-35K for a truck that will work and pull things I would think the least ford could do is give a man real guages including a tranny temp guage other manufactures have for years, just too much to ask from ford I guess???
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geez.. go buy your cheby and leave the sight already. You have rarely had anything positive to say since I have been here anyways. It is getting pretty old

 

If you don't like what I have to say don't read it and when I have something good to say I will

 

NOt sure which would be more accurate but on the tranny temp do you have to put a sensor in the tranny pan or how do you get the tranny temp would like to do something with mine.

 

check out my gallery for a pic on a water temp gage and where to hook it up at.

 

Always go with the electrical gauge. A mechanical gauge would run a tube from the tranny to the gauge itself. A failed connection or chaffed tube will cause an oil leak at the point of the failure. You end up with oil on your leg, carpet....where ever. You could end up with something even more catastrophic. With the electrical unit there is oil leakage potential only at one point and it is under the car. Wires hold up much better then tubing and a properly fused circuit will prevent damage in the event of chaffing or breakage.

 

Gee, give it a rest! I have no clue who your are or what you do! You could be the president of Ford, or a guy that sweeps the floor. It makes no difference to me either way.

If you are what you say, a design responsible Ford cooling system supplier, post the proof of ford's gauge design, a memo, or an spec, or whatever.

Otherwise, I guess you'll have to flush your 12 years down the toilet.....

Hell's Bell's, I could tell you I'm Shuttle Payload Specialist. But that doesn't mean it's true.