im goint to be putting in a diy4x dash soon and was looking at gauges and got really lost. i have no idea what to look for. i think i am going to get the auto meter phantom II style but other than that i have no idea. should i get electrical or mechanical, or does it matter? what type of senders do i need? how hard is it to add a tach when you dont have one,how is it done? i know that there is a lot of questions but if you could point me in the right direction i would appretiate it.
CK5
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gauges?
- Thread starter jbowers
- Start date
I'm running all Autometer electrical gauges. I don't know about the Phantom II's but I can tell you the Ultra Lite II oil and water temp have been on back order for a year in the 2 5/8 size. My custom Aluminum dash has all the gauges but the two empty holes for those gauges. Hope you don't have the same problems I have had getting the Phantoms.
I like mechanical gauges as they are full sweep vs most electric gauges which are not a very long sweep at all. This may stem from the fact that in high school I was involved with a couple of local oval track guys and they ran their gauges so when everything was normal all the needles pointed straight up.
Much easier to do that with mechanical than the short sweep electric
Although I am seeing lots and lots more full sweep electric problem is most are uber bucks
Much easier to do that with mechanical than the short sweep electric
Although I am seeing lots and lots more full sweep electric problem is most are uber bucks
being an oldschool hotrodder, and a marine guy, I have a liking for mechanical gauges, more accurate and durable...
that being said, I do like the full sweep electricals for convenience and ease of install...
mechanical I'll be running....
oil pressure
fuel pressure
trans pressure
vacuum
speedo
electric I'll be running
water temp
trans temp
oil temp
fuel level
2 volt gauges
fuel/air
tach
that's COMPLETELY outta control........ 
that being said, I do like the full sweep electricals for convenience and ease of install...
mechanical I'll be running....
oil pressure
fuel pressure
trans pressure
vacuum
speedo
electric I'll be running
water temp
trans temp
oil temp
fuel level
2 volt gauges
fuel/air
tach
that's COMPLETELY outta control........ just checked on ebay and found an oil temp gauge for about 1.00 there is only one bid on it. didnt check for water temp gauge but figured i would tell you. just tiped in "ultra light oil gauge" and it was the only one that came up.
plumber mike
1/2 ton status
I vote mechanical. Ryoken- Why will you use electrical temp guages? Just wondering.
Jbowers- Pics of the dash when you get it. I'm sooo close to pulling the trigger on one of those.My gauges are waiting
Jbowers- Pics of the dash when you get it. I'm sooo close to pulling the trigger on one of those.My gauges are waiting
Ultra Lite or Ultra Lite II? there is a difference. Going to contact Autometer tomorrow to see what up with my back order.
couple reasons... mechanical feeds for the temp gauges are big and not routing friendly.. also it gives that system a "fail point" other than the gauge... temp senders are cheap...
the only mechanical gauges in the cockpit are oil and speedo.. the trans pres, vac and fuel pressure are gonna be out under the cowl hood edge...
just checked again and its a pressure gauge not a temp gauge. sorry man and good luck getting them
im looking to make this simple on myself so i am just replacing the factory gauges and then just adding a tach. because of that is the stock spedo a mechanical or a electrical. and if i buy the same as the stock will that make for a simpler install. and on the fule level gauges it says "0 Ohms empty / 90 Ohms full. For most GM vehicles from 1965 to present." i assume this is what i need but just wanted to get one of yall to verify it for me.
rjpastor
1/2 ton status
Just my two cents: I know everybody loves Autometer, but I've always had good luck with Stewart Warner. They are old school and I think they're still made in the U.S. They're also much less spendy than Autometer.
Cornfield creations
1/2 ton status
I always wanted to put gauges inside my cowl edge. Are you going to use a marine type gauge? I never could find a waterproof gauge to put in there that I liked.
nope, just liquid filled Pro Comps.... I've been running the fuel pressure one out on the hood for years with no bad effects...
just gonna add
and this for the trans pressure...
to the fuel pressure i'm running already..
all the marine gauges I work with dont seem to be any different from autometers as far as waterproofing goes, whether VDO, SW, Faria, etc....
just gonna add
and this for the trans pressure...
to the fuel pressure i'm running already..
all the marine gauges I work with dont seem to be any different from autometers as far as waterproofing goes, whether VDO, SW, Faria, etc....
gotta4x4
Newbie
Stewart Warner Gauges
As per their wesite:
In the 1980s, Stewart Warner was acquired by British Tire & Rubber (BTR) who later, in the early 1990s, made a decision to relocate the operation to Juarez, Mexico
Not made in the USA
As per their wesite:
In the 1980s, Stewart Warner was acquired by British Tire & Rubber (BTR) who later, in the early 1990s, made a decision to relocate the operation to Juarez, Mexico
Not made in the USA
Adding a tach is cake, theres one signal wire to route from teh distributor.
In terms of elec vs mechanical, on a mech gauge, you actually run, say for oil, an oil line up to the gauge. Personally, i would chose to run mech gauges to keep said lines out of the cab, and make installation easier.
In terms of elec vs mechanical, on a mech gauge, you actually run, say for oil, an oil line up to the gauge. Personally, i would chose to run mech gauges to keep said lines out of the cab, and make installation easier.
