I'm putting either a double or triple pod set on the driver's pillar. I will probably have gauges for water temp, oil pressure, and trans fluid temp.
Which are better, electric or mechanical guages? If electric can I use the existing temp/pressure sensors/senders to install? If mechanical, how are the sensors placed?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mulepick: 5.4L engine <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi, Mulepick, and Welcome to Ford-Diesel.com.
This website has several different forums, most, including this one, reserved for discussion of Ford Powerstroke trucks.
My response would be different for a PSD than for your 5.4. So lets move this topic to the Gas Engines forum where it will be on topic, and any replies you receive won't be advising you to install an exhaust gas temp {EGT} gauge.
Smokey Wren
Forums Moderator
__________________
My Sierra Blanca in the sig pic was a great pickup for 11.5 years. I sold it last year. Replacement is a 2012 F-150 EcoBoost SuperCrew Lariat.
The old school says mechnical gauges are more accurate. However in this case I would probably go with the electrical gauges because of the location and what your doing with them and they're easier to install.
Sensors and guages usually come calibrated for each other. So I don't thing the OEM sensors will work (you could manually check them out). For oil pressure you can put a "T" on the block. Trans temp will be a new install, you'll have to locate a sensor location (I have no idea) and the water temp I'm not sure what size it is. You may be able to "T" it as well. Either way I still wouldn't want to lose the factory gauges.
True, mechanical gauges can be more accurate,
but one thing that ISN'T FUN is burning oily feet on a hot summer's night because the gauge sprung a leak in the dashboard and let LOTS of nice hot oil all over your feet....especially while wearing sandals!
Then comes the fun of crawling under the dash in the middle of the night with a flashlight that barely works so you can break the line off and put a couple of kinks in the tubing and wrapping your shirt around the whole mess so you can get home to fix it the next day.
Wait til you find out your oil pressure gage is not a gage!
It is a pressure switch hooked via a resistor to the gage. WaLa!! The oil pressure is always the same. Every rpm and every temperature. Never changes. Check it out.
I'm going to do a similar installation...A-pillar pod with water temperature, oil pressure, and transmission temperature. It will be for a V-10. I ordered my guages and A-pillar kit today. I just finished crawling under the truck, and this is what I found.
The oil filter mounts to the end of a manifold that starts at the front of the motor near the power steering pump and runs the length of the motor to the filter. Near the front of the manifold is the stock oil sender. It doesn't look like it would be too hard to 'T' into the stock sender.
The water temperature sender is located directly behind the alternator. I don't know if it would be a good idea to 'T' into this sender, even though it would be easy. I'm wondering if there would be good water flow over the sender? I'm afraid the senders would be in an air pocket created by the 'T' adapter. Above the oil filter is a pipe plug in the block, which I assume is a plug for the water jacket. Directly above this plug is the freeze plug with the engine block heater.
There has been lots of discussion on ford-diesel.com about the location for the transmission temperature sender.
If anyone has real world information about locations for senders I'd love to hear it. Specifically, has anyone T'd into the stock water temperature sender location without problems?
The common consensus seems to be that there is a 15 degree difference in location between the outgoing tranny line and the pressure port. This was from someone that had both. A much quicker spike from the line that the port but a more stable reading from the port. Some have argued it is as much as 30 degree's difference. I chose the port armed with the knowlege that this brings and feel I can estimate the hottest brief spikes of the TQ. So therefore I set my "alarm point" at 180 in the port and hense when I turn on my fan. My "full sphincter shut" mode would be 200 froma port reading! But never have seen over 180 thank goodness.
__________________
2001 F-350 SuperCrewzer, Crew Cab Dualy LB XLT, 7.3L PSD, 4.10 LS, Oxford White w/ Silver lower tone, Med Grey interior, Power 40/20/40, Auto w/ Dacco Super Hauler TC and Magnafine, Towing Pkg w/ Dual Alts, Ford AIC, Prodigy, Gentex Mirror, Cobra 29WXNWST, 5ft Firestik II, X Monitor, Baldwin Coolant Filter, Sony OH Video system, Yakima Racks and basket, 45 gal auxiliary tank and 12V Pump, Towing a 26 Foot Prowler Lite.
The trans pan is an option and an option that is recommended by many gauge makers. However, if you have the 4R100 trans, there is a plug just up from the trans pan, drivers side, and forward of the linkage/electrics that is a simple install for a HPT 27 sensor. It seems to give an average between tapping into the suction or discharge lines to/from the trans cooler.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stan Wright: I'm going to do a similar installation...A-pillar pod with water temperature, oil pressure, and transmission temperature. It will be for a V-10. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
How about a information on that gauge set, www.???, telephone, company, part#, etc.
I would definitely be interested in doing that myself.
Also, a followup after you do the install would be nice.
Thanks
------------------
2000 Excursion XLT 4x2, Toreador Red, Craftsman Tool Chest (14x28x28 opp sp Tire), autodash.com Trim
__________________
2000 Excursion XLT 4x2, Toreador Red, Craftsman Tool Chest (14x28x28 opp sp Tire), autodash.com Trim
How about a information on that gauge set, [ telephone, company, part#, etc.
I would definitely be interested in doing that myself.
Triple pod A-pillar came from www.dieselpage.com and ran about $50-60. It comes black but you can pick up plastic/upholstery spray paint at just about any parts store if you want to paint to match. The gauges came from Truck Performance Center www.truckperformance.com and they are made by AutoMeter. I got the black face flavor but there are choices and just about all parts places sell this brand.
Also, a followup after you do the install would be nice.
Pillar has been painted and installed, gauges wired and installed in pillar. Sensors installed and hooked up for Water temp and Trans temp. Still deciding where to put the oil pressure sensor.
- I used the 4 compilmentary wires for owner's use attached to the main loom for the three sensors and a ground to engine.
- I used 16 vs. 18 ga wires
- Plugged trans sensor into plug described in previous post and water temp in plug just below rearmost freeze plug.
- spliced bulb hot wire to dimmer line to headlight switch
- All OK so far
I did something similar on my Jeep. I installed a B&M drain plug kit in the side of the transmision pan, and used it to mount the sender. No welding required. Did it to my oil pan, too.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mulepick:
Triple pod A-pillar came from dieselpage.com and ran about $50-60. It comes black but you can pick up plastic/upholstery spray paint at just about any parts store if you want to paint to match. The gauges came from Truck Performance Center www.truckperformance.com and they are made by AutoMeter. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
[/B][/QUOTE]
Ordered mine today. Ordered the pillar mount and all the gauges from DIS. They are able to get any of the Autometer gauges, even though they don't carry them in stock.
------------------
2000 Excursion XLT 4x2, Toreador Red, Craftsman Tool Chest (14x28x28 opp sp Tire), autodash.com Trim
__________________
2000 Excursion XLT 4x2, Toreador Red, Craftsman Tool Chest (14x28x28 opp sp Tire), autodash.com Trim
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
But never have seen over 180 thank goodness.
warranty]
Linear Mode
