Guage,TTM & APCM Install

[jbkrab]

I have been requested to post what was done to my Excursion. So here it goes. This is going to be long so be warned.

First, I ordered all of my guages, pillar mount and TTM from DIS. I also ordered a spare "A" pillar trim piece for the truck for a replacement in case I removed the guages at a later date.

I decided to have my guages installed by a local shop called Diesel Injection Parts, Inc. Located in Glen Burnie, Maryland. A very good outfit, small but reliable. I liked the owner and his workers very much, very helpful, and knowledgeable too. Since I don't know much about diesels, these guys were eager to tell me about the 7.3L engine.

Back to the install. First of all I was there for most of the install. The first thing to do is to put in the temperature sensor in the tranny. I had them place it in the side using liquid teflon antisieze. This makes sure that ground is made and no leaks too. Run the wire up the harness to the fire wall on drivers side.

Then find the map sensor and locate where your going to install the coupling for the boost guage. Run tube over to firewall driverside.

Next, find the location of where your going to place your thermocouple. We chose after the turbo about 6 inches past it. We discussed this for about 30 minutes. The owner (Ben Parks) said that he likes to install the thermocouples after the turbo but as close as possible to the turbo. I wanted it before the turbo, but I started to see why he liked to do the install his way. I agreed. How you do yours is up to you.

The next part after you get the clamp-on thermocouple on the pipe is to run the thermocouple wires over to where the other wires are on the drivers side firewall.

Now from inside the cab, place the "A" pillar guage mount over the "A" pillar trim piece. Notice how it fits. Here is where I would do things different. I would remove the "A" pillar trim piece and place the guage mount onto and predrill carefully the two plastic pieces for the mounting plugs. We didn't do this and it made for a difficult ending.

OK, now also we cut out a nice chunk of the bottom of the trim "A" pillar plastic so we can run all of the wires.

Keep the trim piece off the "A" pillar because it makes it easier to fish the wires through.

Up behind the parking brake, remove the section of rubber insulation that is pre-cut. Behind this is a plastic access cover. Remove this. It can be tough to do so. Punch through the outter insulation to get through the firewall into the engine compartment. You can now run your wires and tubing from the engine compartment into the cab area. Now you will want to drill through the plastic plug and run the wires through it. Before replacing the plug, you will want to run another wire through it to the engine compartment for the battery connection for the TTM.

Now you can wire up all your guages. Placement of your guages is up to you, I choose, top for the boost, middle for tranny and bottom for pryo guage.

Daisy chain the grounds and 12V lights. We picked up the normal 12 Volts from the fuse box, and the dimmed 12Volts for the lights from one of the wires under the dash.

Next the TTM had to be safely secured into the dash area. So we removed the fuse box and drilled into the metal side piece for one hole and bolted it to it and then we wire tied the other end. I know this isn't the best way, but it was the only way we could figure out how to get it in place to reach the wires safely. Replace the fuse box only after everything works, because you will have to adjust the trim pot inside the TTM for the correct temperature setting.

Next run a set of wires from the pryo guage to the TTM (it's all in the instructions, then we cut into the big red/black large ignition wire that goes to the big connector on the steering column. You can't miss it. Using a butt connector to make the electrical connection. Next we connected the ground and then the wire that goes to the battery in the engine compartment.

Place all of the guages in the pod and mount the pod and "A" pillar trim pieces. Nextmake sure you have connected the battery to the TTM.

Clean up a bit and then turn everything on.

One problem I had was my keyless entry stopped working. I moved the 12Volt line from one fuse to the customer access fuse that is tied to the ignition and is 10 amps(I think its #5, but check it out first, its in the owners manual).

Now step on the throttle and heat the thermocouple up. turn off the engine and if it shuts off with the temperature above 300*F then turn the trim pot on the TTM (cover must be off) counter clockwise. Start the engine again step on the throttle and heat that thing up again. It may take a few minutes. When temp gets to about 350*F, turn off engine, and as it cools down to 300*F turn the trim pot clock wise to adjust when it shuts off the engine. Keep doing this until you are satisified.

Thats it, sorry its so long. But the guages are worth it and even if you don't do the guages, you should do the TTM to save the turbo.

If you have any questions please post or e-mail me.

Regards,
Ben

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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM

[This message has been edited by jbkrab (edited 03-19-2000).]

[Excursion7.3PSD]

Ben:
Thanks for the indepth play by play. I think it will probably take me two weeks to do what they did in a day. Makes me want to drop mine off in the AM and pick it up in the afternoon. But I guess that would take all the fun out of it. I am saving your article for reference when I begin my install.

[jbkrab]

Donnie,

Good luck. Like I said, I'm glad I had mine done in a day. But be carefull. Make sure your satisified with how your wiring is laid out before anything is completed. Also, make sure you have plenty of connectors too.

Have Fun,
Ben

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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM

[jbkrab]

I am bringing this topic back up top for a few people. Also, I had the truck into the dealer about the intermitant working Keyless entry. Seems that my GEM moudle is bad. They had to order a new one for me. So I hope it should be installed in a week or two. One interesting fact about the keyless entry not working, was that if it stoped working, if I waited about 6 hours, it would start working again. I told the service manager this and he didn't believe me. But when I went to pick up the truck today, he said that he expierenced what I claimed. That it would mysterously start working again.

Regards,
Ben

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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM

[jbkrab]

Just bringing it up to the top for a few people who e-mailed me.



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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM