Do I need gauges

[RStamand]

I got my 05 2500 last saturday. Love it, however I don't have any plans to mod it. Just me. What I would like to know is if there is any practical reason to have gauges, and if so what kind. I do plan on towing and hauling but I'm just pretty damn happy with it as is. 4wd, auto, linex, debadged.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Gauges are not mandatory, but if you want to stay happy with the truck I would recommend them. You said you do plan on towing. I would get egt, boost, fuel pressure and transmission temp gauges if I were you. Some will say that fuel pressure is not a problem on the new engines, but I work with guys who have had the fuel problems on the new engines. I'm not sure if your truck came with a transmission temp gauge, but if not, it's good to have if you're going to be towing. Same with egt and boost. Melting something down would be alot more expensive that buying gauges. Everyone has a different opinion on gauges. I'm not saying what I have is the best, but I'm very happy with Westach gauges. I have 2 gauges- a boost/egt combo and a rear diff/transmission temp combo on the a-pillar. Good luck with whatever you choose and congrats on your new truck. Mike

 

[nps]

With an 05 auto, transmission temp and EGT would be good to monitor while towing to prevent damage.



Boost and FP are diagnostic aids but won't really tell you anything regarding impending damage while driving.

 

[GP]

RS, it sounds like we're pretty similar in driving habits. I got my 96 2500 a little over 2 years ago and drive conservatively, occasional pulls from stops (because you just cant help it with the torque available). Mostly though I just use common sense in how hard to push it for the current conditions. This is all stock without any guages or mods. Many people do this and dont care exactly whats happening in the engine.

I am interested in whats happening inside though and am starting some conservative mods. I want to keep the highest reliability I can so I'm not upping the hp much. I started with basic items like new shocks, replacing missing equip, etc. Now for the fun stuff! I just started with phase 1, guages. The better to measure future changes. First was a boost guage, next will be an EGT.

What I have seen with vs without boost readings:

-cruising the highways intown at 65= 3-5 psi

-enough pull off a stop onto the highway to have fun= 15-17 psi but for only a few seconds (so as not to flatten the little thing in front of me)

-Accelerating up large hills on I-70 in the Rockies= 15-17 psi sustained but no coolant temp probs (& in an unloaded truck)

--normal stock boost cutout should be around 18-20 psi

These were my normal habits that I'm now putting numbers to. Is it necessary, no. Is it fun, yes. I also think knowledge is power. Even if I'm only taking it to someone else for service, I can tell him exactly whats going on and whats needed.

Whether you just got a cool new truck or exciting new hobby, congratulations. You have good taste. Guy

 

[McLaughlin]

I got my 05 2500 last saturday. Love it, however I don't have any plans to mod it. Just me. What I would like to know is if there is any practical reason to have gauges, and if so what kind. I do plan on towing and hauling but I'm just pretty damn happy with it as is. 4wd, auto, linex, debadged.

As others have suggested, I'd suggest you get transmission and EGT gauges. They aren't that expensive or hard to install and if they alert to a problem before you damage your engine or transmission, they will save you a bunch of cash.

 

[donnier]

Ive had my 05 since March of last year and recently installed Issopro pyro and boost gauges on the pillar.

There are plans for a transmission temp gauge soon either on the pillar or the column.



From what I have found, either Issopro or Diprocol gauges match the newer gauges.



My question is where would be a good place to mount the sending unit for the transmission temp gauge?