Thinking about aftermarket guages, need advice
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Thinking about aftermarket guages, need advice
Hello all. Thinking about installing an aftermarket gauge pod. Its a 97 2wd 4.6L truck. Ive always wanted a tach, oil pressure and (water or oil temp) gauge.
Question for the forum:
1) What temp gauge is in the truck dash - oil or water? I certainly dont want to duplicate the information.
2) How easy is it to install these guages?
3) I notice that oil pressure guage is either available in electric or mechanical. Im assuming that electrical guages are easier to install. Is that true.
4) Any guage pods that you guys recommend? Im thinking of the A-pillar design just cause they will be out of the way. However, dont want to look ricer.
5) Anyone have a transmission temperature gauge? Ive seen them but they are not that popular...
Regards,TJ90
Question for the forum:
1) What temp gauge is in the truck dash - oil or water? I certainly dont want to duplicate the information.
2) How easy is it to install these guages?
3) I notice that oil pressure guage is either available in electric or mechanical. Im assuming that electrical guages are easier to install. Is that true.
4) Any guage pods that you guys recommend? Im thinking of the A-pillar design just cause they will be out of the way. However, dont want to look ricer.
5) Anyone have a transmission temperature gauge? Ive seen them but they are not that popular...
Regards,TJ90
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
If your are going with mechanical they won't fit into a pillar pod.....only electric will because of short backspacing. Electric are by far easier but the down side is they are less accurate than mechanical.....nature of the beast I guess. I have oil and water temp autometer carbon fiber ultralites with upgraded led lights. The oil temp was a little difficult because you have to put a T in the back of the oil filter housing where the oem sender unit is and the front diff made it that way...little room to spare.
Can't see the gauges but my pod is there.
Can't see the gauges but my pod is there.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Thanks XTR. That is exactly what Im thinking of doing. Why did you install water temp? Doesnt the dash have one already?
I think you answered another question - Due to space constraints and using a Tee, you need to pick either aftermarket oil pressure or oil temp in conjunction to OEM oil pressure guage. I dont think there would be enough room to do oil pressure and temp and OEM pressure.
Has anyone ever tapped into the OEM sending unit to get real oil pressure reading? That way, one OEM sending unit would power 2 gages. The other leg of the Tee could be used for temperature.
I think you answered another question - Due to space constraints and using a Tee, you need to pick either aftermarket oil pressure or oil temp in conjunction to OEM oil pressure guage. I dont think there would be enough room to do oil pressure and temp and OEM pressure.
Has anyone ever tapped into the OEM sending unit to get real oil pressure reading? That way, one OEM sending unit would power 2 gages. The other leg of the Tee could be used for temperature.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
Thanks XTR. That is exactly what Im thinking of doing. Why did you install water temp? Doesnt the dash have one already?
I think you answered another question - Due to space constraints and using a Tee, you need to pick either aftermarket oil pressure or oil temp in conjunction to OEM oil pressure guage. I dont think there would be enough room to do oil pressure and temp and OEM pressure.
Has anyone ever tapped into the OEM sending unit to get real oil pressure reading? That way, one OEM sending unit would power 2 gages. The other leg of the Tee could be used for temperature.
I think you answered another question - Due to space constraints and using a Tee, you need to pick either aftermarket oil pressure or oil temp in conjunction to OEM oil pressure guage. I dont think there would be enough room to do oil pressure and temp and OEM pressure.
Has anyone ever tapped into the OEM sending unit to get real oil pressure reading? That way, one OEM sending unit would power 2 gages. The other leg of the Tee could be used for temperature.
I like to see where my water tamp is at in degrees, and not just the needle position like in the cluster.
Any aftermarket gauge will only work with the supplied sending unit. The oil pressure gauge in the oem cluster is an idiot gauge, so even if you could make it work with say an autometer one it still wouldn't be accurate.
I highly doubt you could T up another outlet from the oil pressure port for an oil temp gauge unless you get a oil filter relocation kit....then you might have the room.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,358
Likes: 4,393
From: SW VA
You might want to do a search on here, or ask some local Ford techs....but most people believe that the stock temperature gauge measures the head temperature and NOT the water temperature...while others think it's the other way around. There was a fairly large thread about it a little while ago you can probably find. The "case" is at a draw right now...I haven't had the time to unplug my CHT and see if the temp. gauge on the dash quits working. Something about the '97-'98's used the CHT and a H2O temp. sensor, and the '99+'s used the CHT only...I dunno. When I get the time I will find out for sure...
CHT sensor = cylinder head temperature sensor
CHT sensor = cylinder head temperature sensor
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 0
From: N. Fort Myers,FL
I have 2 gauges installed in my truck now. I got oil pressure and tranny temp, both are Autometer sport comp.
If you have the extra money definetly get a pillar pod... i wish i did. I put mine by the power port.
When i installed my oil pressure gauge i got rid of the factory sender and installed the autometere sender. Then i grounded the factory sender wire(so it makes the dash look correct)
If you have the extra money definetly get a pillar pod... i wish i did. I put mine by the power port.
When i installed my oil pressure gauge i got rid of the factory sender and installed the autometere sender. Then i grounded the factory sender wire(so it makes the dash look correct)
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for the feedback. I ordered a pillar pod and oil pressure and vacuum gage. I think Ill do what bobby suggests - just ground the fake oil pressure gauge so that the needle stays in the normal range. This will keep plumbing complications to a minimum. I got a dual pod for both gauges. I went with vacuum since it seems to be handy gauge for poor mans MPG gauge and other emissions issues etc. The oil pressure so that I can look at the effects of different viscosity oils - hot and cold - since Ill be experimenting with 0w oils this summer.
I opted for a dual instead of triple pod which meant tach got the boot. Its an auto and thought that tach, although cool to look at, would provide little value since I rarely tow and never manual shift the column.
I opted for a dual instead of triple pod which meant tach got the boot. Its an auto and thought that tach, although cool to look at, would provide little value since I rarely tow and never manual shift the column.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: West Covina, ca
I know you already got the pillar pod and gauges, but a great alternative is the scangauge. It can tell you ALOT of different parameters and can display 4 readings at the same time.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...y-pricing.html
Let me know if you have any questions about it
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...y-pricing.html
Let me know if you have any questions about it
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GuitarJesus
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
41
Oct 16, 2022 06:10 AM
MattB_1442
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
11
Oct 6, 2005 08:01 PM