Showing my age here, but Auto Meter Sport Comp mechanical gauges are to me the most accurate and trust worthy ways to monitor what is going on for the cost. I am one of those people that think you can’t have enough gauges too. I have done 3 vehicles with the Autometers. I love them.
However, when I was building the Cowdog V2500 Suburban 9 years ago I thought Dakota Digital might be a better total package than something I built myself. It was made to fit, had blinker lights, hi beams, cruise indicator, 4x4 indicator, adjustable tach and speedo. A clock is really helpful to me as well. Plus, the message center flashing displays I can program. I called them and asked for a 4,000 rpm tach for my diesel and they made it at no extra cost. I ended up calling multiple times after the install with questions. They always acted like they would talk to me all day long without issue. I prize good customer service and got it from them.
36,000 miles later and I still like them. I see they offer 270° sweep small gauges now. I really don’t like the 180° or so sweep ones I got. Too hard to read anything with accuracy. They also now have Bluetooth programming instead of the multi step and clumsy process I have to go through. Another knock by me is the entire package just feels cheap and flimsy. Not substantial at all. But, all these years and miles later they still work. So, maybe it is just me.
One thing about the fit in the stock location with the stock cluster cover screwing in is gauge angle and sun glare blockage. That is something my custom made steam gauge dashes never got correct.
Do what you think fits your situation best. I wasn’t trying to do a sales pitch. This was meant as a customer review with what I wanted, got and wished I had.
