Help with trans temp guage purchas
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
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Help with trans temp guage purchas
I need to get a trans temp guage. I see that it is best to place it in the side of the trans. What size NPT fitting is that? I think I seen where it was 1/4 inch? Is electric or mech. guage better?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
That hole is NPT, so it looks much larger than it's spec'd. I think it's either 1/4 or 3/8" npt. The sender should be 1/4" and a 3/8" adapter bushing should be included with the gauge/sender.
For gauges, do you want trans fluid in your cab? That's the real difference. I'd go electric for the extra $20. I don't mind mechanical for vacuum and boost, but I'd rather keep all fluids out of the cab. Also, I'd go for a full sweep, short sweep electrics look cheap to me, even the expensive ones.
Also, buy a quality gauge. They aren't that much more expensive but much more reliable. I went autometer because I had sold them for 10 years before I had access to VDO, Stewart Warner and ISSPro. Now, I wouldn't mind using either ISSPro or Stewart Warner or VDO. ISSPro does look a little cleaner though.
For gauges, do you want trans fluid in your cab? That's the real difference. I'd go electric for the extra $20. I don't mind mechanical for vacuum and boost, but I'd rather keep all fluids out of the cab. Also, I'd go for a full sweep, short sweep electrics look cheap to me, even the expensive ones.
Also, buy a quality gauge. They aren't that much more expensive but much more reliable. I went autometer because I had sold them for 10 years before I had access to VDO, Stewart Warner and ISSPro. Now, I wouldn't mind using either ISSPro or Stewart Warner or VDO. ISSPro does look a little cleaner though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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I have the DiPricol Optix gages and they match my dash to a tee. I have added a selector switch to the trans temp gage so I can use one gage to monitor up to six parameters. I have temp probes in both diffs, the tranny and engine block (coolant) and will add one for oil temp. My probes are all 1/8" NPT.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ut-gauges.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ut-gauges.html
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
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From: Middleville, MI
i use the GloShift trans temp, works good and the selectable green backlight matches the dash well, and the text is close. came with the sending unit that went right into the test port on the trans.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Spring Lake
Sorry to sound like a newb but guages and stuff are out of my realm of knowledge... what is this 'full sweep' and is there anywhere I can mount guages OTHER than the a pillar? I like my grab handle and do not think I could get my fat... in without it.
I need to mount a voltage guage and trans temp, is there a third guage I could use as well?
I know on my old '89 350 with an ATS turbo I had 2 VDO guages that where in 4.5" long black 'tubes' on a swivel mount. Do they still make this style? If so what are they called
I need to mount a voltage guage and trans temp, is there a third guage I could use as well?
I know on my old '89 350 with an ATS turbo I had 2 VDO guages that where in 4.5" long black 'tubes' on a swivel mount. Do they still make this style? If so what are they called
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
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Originally Posted by 5.4L to Freedom
Sorry to sound like a newb but guages and stuff are out of my realm of knowledge... what is this 'full sweep' and is there anywhere I can mount guages OTHER than the a pillar? I like my grab handle and do not think I could get my fat... in without it.
I need to mount a voltage guage and trans temp, is there a third guage I could use as well?
I know on my old '89 350 with an ATS turbo I had 2 VDO guages that where in 4.5" long black 'tubes' on a swivel mount. Do they still make this style? If so what are they called
I need to mount a voltage guage and trans temp, is there a third guage I could use as well?
I know on my old '89 350 with an ATS turbo I had 2 VDO guages that where in 4.5" long black 'tubes' on a swivel mount. Do they still make this style? If so what are they called
Just personal preference I guess.
Frank
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Posting Guru
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I got my setup from ITP Diesel, a site sponsor. This page should give you an idea of what's out there:
http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?crn=139
http://www.itpdiesel.com/store.php?crn=139
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Spring Lake
The question I've never seen an answer too is what is wrong with the in dash guage? As far as i understand shouldn't it work just like an aftermarket one, and if its not responsive enough can't you just put a better sending unit or whatever goes on the trans and wire that into the stocker?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by 5.4L to Freedom
The question I've never seen an answer too is what is wrong with the in dash guage?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Right, it's more a question of quality of sending units. The stock senders may have up to four outputs, low, just right, alittle high and too high. Aftermarket/competition gauges sending units will send a voltage that directly correlates with the pressure it's sending in 1/10 of a volt or lower increments.
Sweep is how much movement the needle can travel from low to high. The move it moves will give you either more range or finer accuracy. Another thing to consider in sweep is the direction of travel. I love driving by a vacuum gauge, it helps me keep my foot out of the pedal, but the needle on a vacuum gauge moves to the left as vacuum decreases, unlike my oil pressure and A/F ratio which move to the right as I get on the gas. To get around this, I picked up a Vac/Boost gauge which moves the needle to the right as vacuum decreases. I did this so when I put my foot on it, all of my gauges move in the same direction and I can read them in nearly the same orientation rather than having to scan for the needle as I am driving.
Sweep is how much movement the needle can travel from low to high. The move it moves will give you either more range or finer accuracy. Another thing to consider in sweep is the direction of travel. I love driving by a vacuum gauge, it helps me keep my foot out of the pedal, but the needle on a vacuum gauge moves to the left as vacuum decreases, unlike my oil pressure and A/F ratio which move to the right as I get on the gas. To get around this, I picked up a Vac/Boost gauge which moves the needle to the right as vacuum decreases. I did this so when I put my foot on it, all of my gauges move in the same direction and I can read them in nearly the same orientation rather than having to scan for the needle as I am driving.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by thedaddycat
I have the DiPricol Optix gages and they match my dash to a tee. I have added a selector switch to the trans temp gage so I can use one gage to monitor up to six parameters. I have temp probes in both diffs, the tranny and engine block (coolant) and will add one for oil temp. My probes are all 1/8" NPT.
