Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Most important gauges for a 3 gauge cluster?

[stvntylr]

I'm looking at getting a 3 guage cluster for my 98. 5 24V CTD, which has the tach, oil pressure, coolant temp, volts in the stock instrument panel.



I am going to do my first heavy/long haul in early May, and I am thinking I want at least the transmission temp and pyrometer, but I'm undecided on the third. Which would you recommend, a fuel pressure or a boost guage. I am leaning toward the fuel pressure, because I read about the amount of damage a failing lift pump can cause in these 98. 5 to 02 engines, but why would the boost be so important in a stock (so far) engine?



Thanks,



Steve (newbie)

 

[goodguys75]

pyro, boost, transmission... . if your hauling, id rather know if my transmission is getting hot...

 

[RustyJC]

If you go with the Westach combination boost/egt gauge, you can get both in 1 pod, leaving the other 2 pods for transmission temp and fuel pressure.



Rusty

 

[Ram4Sam]

I'm looking at getting a 3 guage cluster for my 98. 5 24V CTD, which has the tach, oil pressure, coolant temp, volts in the stock instrument panel.

I am going to do my first heavy/long haul in early May, and I am thinking I want at least the transmission temp and pyrometer, but I'm undecided on the third. Which would you recommend, a fuel pressure or a boost guage. I am leaning toward the fuel pressure, because I read about the amount of damage a failing lift pump can cause in these 98. 5 to 02 engines, but why would the boost be so important in a stock (so far) engine?

Thanks,

Steve (newbie)

It isn't really in a stocker. If you only go three, definetly pyro, fuel press, if you have an auto, trans temp. A stick go with a boost gauge. Or as mentioned, double up on one gauge.

Sam

 

[stvntylr]

Thanks for all your help everyone...
One more related question -
For the ranges on the transmission temp and the EGT, what should I expect to see and will a 0 - 30 psi fuel pressure range and the guage cover the fuel pressure I should see (assuming all stock at this point)?

 

[goodguys75]

Thanks for all your help everyone...
One more related question -
For the ranges on the transmission temp and the EGT, what should I expect to see and will a 0 - 30 psi fuel pressure range and the guage cover the fuel pressure I should see (assuming all stock at this point)?

if i were to do it again, i would just get the scan gauge 2... works great, and its plug and play... ... gives exact feedback... ... i run both pods and scangauge... . just another option

 

[BigPapa]

i would just get the scan gauge 2... works great, and its plug and play... ...

Not in a '98 24V.

 

[VolsFan]

On my 99, I generally ran around 600* on the pyro mounted in the exhaust manifold when cruising. I cant ever remember the trans temp getting above 200* I ran synthetic in the trans and to me it was worth the extra money, I did some hard pulls with it and at 50k mile intervals fluid looked like new. Even more important than the trans temp I think, I would say the fuel pressure gauge is extremely important. It saved me a new injection pump

 

[DavidC]

I have the pyro, boost, fuel pressure on the 3 gauge mount then bought the single mount for the steering column, that is where the trans temp is.

Dave

 

[stvntylr]

Thanks. I was looking at something like that, but it seemed like the steering column mounted gauge might partially obscure the stock dash cluster. That isn't the case for you?

 

[DavidC]

Line of sight for me from the Drivers seat. I do have to look around it for the wait to start or water in fuel. Other than that it is not a problem or I have gotten use to it :-laf

Dave

 

[VolsFan]

That doesnt look bad. I was going to get one when I put a fuel pressure gauge in my 01, but didnt because I was unsure of how it would look, oh well. I wanted to put it in the 'cubby hole' like I had in my 99, but seat heater controls are there in this truck. I ended up getting the universal donut mount and put it to the right of the shifter console. On the 98. 5 auto in question, along with the steering column mount, consider mounting a gauge in the cubby hole, its a free mount with purchase of a gauge from genos and it looks like factory

 

[cerberusiam]

Boost gauge is going to give you more useful info than fuel pressure. Standard gauges for a towing auto truck should be boost, pyro, and trans temp.

If you really don't want to inest in another gauge then get the low fuel pressur elight kit and call it good for now.

 

[JR]

Heres a thought for a simple little set up...

Manual fuel gauge, not even a light included, as cheap as cheap gets. With the ashtray being open for the gauge, the green light inside the ashtray illuminates the gauge perfectly and matches my 3 gauges on my pillar as well as the dash lights. People actually think its a matching gauge to the pillar. For the gauge mount I simply massaged a piece of aluminum in the shape of a "U" with 90 degree bends and it slides right down into the ashtray. then I drilled through the ashtray and bracket and bolted it together. There are fancier mounts out there but it works for me, and beats buying another mount. Simple yet effective and very easy to keep an eye on. I also have a low pressure warning light right next to it (it was given to me) but I honestly wouldnt want to rely on it alone. I believe theyre set to trigger around 4-6 psi, thats a little low for my comfort zone.