[Wren]

Good evening Ex owners.

I've recently started to look into gauges -- so I thought I would poll y'all to see what you have and how/where you mounted them.

My Ex won't see heavy hauling, but will see extended driving road trips involving mountain passes and scorching prairie plains. What gauges should I have?

While everyone knows Autometer, are there any other brands to look into/avoid?

I've seen A-pillar pods, but my wife really likes the grab-handle there. Can you put a pod there and still retain the handle? If the handle would have to go, are there different mounting options that could put the pod on the dash in the lower corner of the windshield or even in the upper corner of the windshield?

Anything else a new-to-diesel and new-to-gauges guy should know?

 

[HEAVYHITTER]

EGT, Trans and boost are what most people run. EGT and trans being the most important. I put DiPricol Optix gauges in my truck a little more expensive but like the way they look vs. the others.

I don't think you can A pillar pod guages and retain your grab handle. Thats what the steering wheel is for /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Some guys run gauge pods below the climate control in that area.

Hope this helps. The general 7.3L forum will yield better results.

 

[coldpizza]

Wren,

Cminus is right on. I've seen the gauges mounted just above rear-view mirror, too. I don't have them yet, but I'm planning on adding soon. I need to find someone to install them for me, otherwise I'm always going to be saying "I'm planning on adding soon." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Len

 

[Mudraga]

There is also a gauge pod made by AutoMeter that mounts the 2" gauges down by your existing gauge cluster. A bit of warning though, even though its made for SuprDuty trucks, it is not a direct fit in the Ex. I test fit one and I think it could be made to look fine in the Ex. with a little trimming. I didn't like it though becuase it covered upp too much of the lower stock gauges.

 

[Wren]

Yeah, I saw that pod -- I think I would want the gauges up above the rear view mirror.

Does that mount fit even with the trip computer/OH console?

 

[Wren]

no one has an above-the-mirror mount for gauges?

 

[Dunbar]

I just had mine installed above the rear view mirror. I got the kit from Diesel Manor and it is absolutely complete with impeccable color photo aided instructions.

Unfortunately, the installer did not put it right above the mirror but offset to the drivers side. When I lower the visor they are almost completely covered. I will move them to the proper place when I get a chance.

I did not want to loose the A pillar grab handle and decided that the lower dash pod would not catch the attention like it should.

David

 

[Beast]

I have the windshield mount also. If you put it right below the mirror you won't see the boost guage (mine are in this Trans, egt, boost order) and I think the egt guage gets partially blocked. I also offset it to the driver's side and prefer that location. Looks good and easy to see. You are right though if you lower the shade the Transmission guage in mine case gets blocked. But I rarely use the shade.

 

[Wren]

Could either of you guys (preferably both) send me a picture of the install? one from each angle would be good.

Thanks.

 

[Weber]

I installed the A pillar and really like the look. I towed a trailer to Montana from CA last week and love being able to drive by guages. I bought my gauge set from DieselManor.

 

[CSIPSD]

Shoot me a PM with a E-mail and I will send you the quad over head on my wifes X... I dont know what these guys are talking about having the gauge blocked??? I have two quad over heads and none are blocked...

 

[Dunbar]

When the visor is lowered, mine are mostly blocked as they are offset to the drivers side of the rear view mirror.

I plan on moving them to just above the rear view mirror and re-ordering the gauges in the 3 gauge mount. If the far right gauge gets slightly blocked by the ceiling mounted lie-o-meter then I will put the boost gauge on the far right. It is easier to see what the boost is doing even when only partially visible. I will put the Pyrometer on the left and ATF temp in the middle. Order of importance to me would then be from left to right.

David

 

[Wren]

Awesome pictures everyone -- I've got a good idea what they look like.

Steve, where did you get your o/h mount? Need to make sure I get the same one you have, as it has a nice fit.

I am 6'4, so I am expecting to have some blockage by the lie-o-meter, but that's ok.

Did everyone's gauges come from Dieselmanor? Anyone used www.kensperformancesolutions.com ? they were recommended in another gauges thread as offering a $300 IssPro package and mount delivered to your door with detailed instructions.

 

[Snowman269]

I'm looking to do the 4 guage mount on top, but now seeing the boost gauage blocked, that's not good. If I installed it to fit up against the secondvisor & took the first visor & used it for the side window, would that work?

 

[Snowman269]

Steve,

Good to know, thanks a bunch!