Gauge Install

[JPul]

I did the 3 gauge dash pod with 2 Westech duals and one Westech single. The black letters/numbers on white face are a pretty good match to the stock instruments on my 06 and the green sock on the gauge lights provides a green glow at night that fits in with the green on black stock instruments.



I agree that the Boost/EGT are the gauges that get the most attention as the LP fuel pressure wanders very little and the trans and diff temp only get attention because of how low they are with no load and how they rise a bit when pulling the 5th.



Regards, John

 

[DaveHess]

John: How easy are the Westachs to read in that dash pod during twilight conditions? My Isspros and Autometers are easy to read during all lighting conditions but my DiPricos are another story. During that time of day when it is not quite daylight and not quite dark, the DiPricos are very difficult to read. Full daylight and full darkness, no problem. I like the Isspro and Autometer lighting best. Probably the Autometer since it lights the whole face as opposed to the through the numbers lighting of the other gauges. I too used the green bulb cover with the Autometers. As for the DiPricos, I had them on the dimmer circuit but they were not bright enough. I don't run my dash at full brightness. So, I rewired the DiPricos to the cab running lights so they run at full brightness when the lights are on. Still not very easy to read at a glance.

 

[AH64ID]

The Pro538W. I wanted the weather channels and a front firing speaker. I was already using a separate speaker that works great. I just cannot get rid of the whine. If I turn the RF gain down I lose reception but gain squelch. It is frustrating. There is a whole laundry lists of tests I have performed before sending the radio to Clays. I tested every aspect of the antenna. I have checked my SWR with a SWR meter I purchased. Everything checks as I would expect. So, I sent the radio to Clays Radio Shop in Texas, they had it for about two weeks, charged my CC $70 and sent it back. I had Retina surgery that precluded my reinstalling and when I did, still got the whine. I specifically paid for a noise filter to be installed. I am pretty sure I was taken. Anyhow, I like to use the CB on the Interstates to keep me amused.

Thats the one I had, and never had any issues with it. I use my CB for the same thing these days.

 

[DaveHess]

Thats the one I had, and never had any issues with it. I use my CB for the same thing these days.

So, where did you run the RF Gain and how much use of squelch did you have???

 

[AH64ID]

So, where did you run the RF Gain and how much use of squelch did you have???

Been a while, but I ran the RF gain off unless I needed it. . not sure on squelch as it changed so much with environment.

 

[JPul]

Dave,



The Westechs are the full face illumination as well. I have had no problems reading them at any time but my exposure during twilight is limited so I'll have to pay a bit more attention at that time of day. One would think that the duals would be a bit tough to read as well but I've gotten very used to them and actually appreciate getting the extra info out of each guage.



Regards, John

 

[DaveHess]

John: I wish I would have taken a closer look at the Westachs. I like the look and the double sweep. At first I thought it may be confusing but running EGT and boost basically on top of each other makes sense. Could you post your gauge pictures if you have them?



AH64ID: I hadn't thought of running the RF Gain in the lowest setting. I have tried turning it down and all my reception seems to go away. What I need to do is grab a buddy with a CB and have him do a quick trip down the Interstate with a little distance between us and see what happens. Otherwise I see a Cobra 29LTD in my future.

 

[Matt400]

so Westach, it turns out, will CUSTOM make any of their single gauge options into custom DUAL gauges, for not TOO much more cost then buying two of their single gauges.

That would be cool, a fella I know would like to have EGT/Trans Temp in one gauge.

 

[drrhoades]

What are you guys seeing for oil pressure on your aftermarket gauges, and where is the reading being taken from?

 

[AH64ID]

What are you guys seeing for oil pressure on your aftermarket gauges, and where is the reading being taken from?

I take my reading from a port above the ECM. I see about 20-22 at idle, 40 at 12-1300 rpms and 58-60 from about 1900 up.

 

[DaveHess]

At idle with a hot engine (normal operating temp), a tick below 20, 45 around 1500, and about 60 at 2,000. I also removed the block plug from above the ECM. Take the fenderwell out and use a lot of extensions. Not a bad job. The toughest for me was installing the tubing to the 10mm fitting in the block. Tough to get a wrench in there and move it around. But it's done with no leaks.

 

[drrhoades]

thanks guys. My stock gauge show similiar but it will not go below 40.

 

[seafish]

That would be cool, a fella I know would like to have EGT/Trans Temp in one gauge.

Matt, they used to have a "build a gauge" click option on their website, but that is now gone. Still, I just talked with someone at Westach, and they still do it. Phone is 707-938-2121.

 

[PStauffer]

Are those the phantom II gauges? I just had someone put 1 gauge in mine- not the two series- pyrometer and wanted to switch it out to the II series as it looks like it will match the stock gauges better. I heard that the phantom IIs are a bit bright and one needs to install a separate dimmer. Is this true? How do you like the gauges? and do they match up pretty well with the stock gauges on the dodge? Can the phantom II backlight LEDs be changed out to a different color and if they burn out (shouldn't happen)?