Guages are IN!!!

[SLightfoot]

Finally broke down and drilled through the A-Pillar on my pride and joy.



Installed Autometer Boost (0-60PSI) and EGT (pre-turbo) guages.



Took me a long time, mostly because I was being meticulous to the point of ridiculous at times.



After finishing, I went for a test drive... .



Boost Cruising at 60MPH is 5 lbs.

EGT Cruising at 60PH about 650.



Boost WOT is 27 lbs.

EGT WOT is 1050 for as long as I cold hold the pedal down before going too fast



I was very surprised to see how FAST the EGT climbs when you get on the GO pedal... goes up faster than the Speedo!!! Seems to level out at about 1050 though on a good hard WOT running empty.



Boost really scoots up too in 5th gear when I get on it.



Only mods include 275's, PE EZ, and Boost Elbow.



Shawn

 

[CDISB]

Shawn



I have the same set up as you. Your Boost and EGT readings are the same as mine. I'm really happy with this set up

 

[Yellowlab]

well how about some pics of where you mounted the guages. Its something that i've wanted to do, but I hate the idea of drillin and I have no idea where to put the guages so my baby doesnt look rediculous (not that others that are pictured do... ie dont flame me for sayin that!)

 

[Mr. Brewski]

CM,



I didnt want them in the A-Pillar either - I got the Westach kit from Genos Garage. Check it out! It ought to work on your truck also, goes in the little cubby hole next to the radio. The Gauges are very good quality - Westach produces guages mostly for light aircraft, and I think this combo gauge was actually meant for a turbocharged Lycoming or Continental. The response time on them is good. If you order them, email me and I'll share a few tricks on installation (Dash Lighting and Power) that Geno's didnt explain.



#ad

 

[Eventer]

Shawn,



How did you get you wires up (or down) the A pillar?



Where did you pass the wires and tubing through the firewall?



What gauge wire did you use to connect the gauges to the dash lighting?



I have had my gauges for a couple of months and they aren't in yet. Everytime I think I have everything I need, I discover I missed something. I can't afford to have my truck down too long as it is my daily driver.



Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[DRR-24V]

Mr Brewski,

Looks real good. If I did not have 3 gauges I would have used this location. Looks factory.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Have the same radio Mr. Brewski, nice

 

[SLightfoot]

Guage install stuff...

Eventer:



Although the guages are actually pretty straight forward to install, if you are neurotic about neatness like I am, book a good half day off!



To answer your questions:



Q: How did you get you wires up (or down) the A pillar?



A: The wires run about 1/3 of the way BEHIND the stock pillar cover, at which point, I drill a large hole through the plastic pillar cover to get all of the wires and etc into the pod area. The Pod covers the hole in the pillar. I ran the wires from the fusebox area. It a snap to get the wires from the fusebox area to the bottom of the pillar. Just simply remove the Stock pillar cover (which is NOT screwed in- you have to yank on it to pull it out, as it just clips in. ) and then crouch down and look UP THROUGH the fusebox area, and you will see daylight at the opening at the bottom of the Pillar, which is where you need to thread the wires.



Q: Where did you pass the wires and tubing through the firewall?



A: I passed the wires through the firewall through a HUGE rubber grommet that most of the dash wires run through into the engine compartment. This is located just up and left of the hood release cable grommet if you are standing in front of the truck looking toward the driver. I just took a sharp punch and poked a SMALL hole in it. This way, when you push the wires through, you still get a nice seal.



Q: What gauge wire did you use to connect the gauges to the dash lighting?



A: I used what I had on hand which was 12 guage wire.



Take the time and put 'em in... . they sure are fun to gawk at when cruising down the road!



Shawn

 

[xbubblehead]

Shawn,



My EGTs will spike right on up to 1400 or better if I stomp on it. I guess a psychotty is in my future.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

Have any of you used the tan wire to the dash lights? or did you just use a fuse tap? I want to use the wire, but I can't imagine how to tap into it without taking more of the dash apart, like the whole top... .

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I just used a Tap In on the brown wire behind the headlight switch, there is so little amp draw, its no problem at all.

 

[RJ2]

What would be the best way to get the guage lighting similar to the green/blue tint of the rest of the dash. I have the banks guages with the GE 53 bulb and cannot find tinted bulbs.

Thanks RJ

 

[mediccummin]

gauges

Question why are you guys drilling through the stock A-pillar and not just using the new one for a replacement, real easy to do and you save your stock one. To RJ2 Autometer makes blue bulb covers that match out dash light or at least they do mine. Go to summitracing they have them. Or a local speed shop should have them also. Well good luck to all with them gauges.....

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

EMD's & Brewski's radios look good What brand? Have either of you posted about them in another thread (radio related)? Don't need to have 2 topics going here.



Vaughn

 

[tmacc]

Outback,

If you pull the dash bezel, that plastic cover that surrounds the stock gauges and radio, you can get to the head light switch and access the tan wire for lighting to A-pillar gauges. Just slip your finger tips under the bezel starting at the air vent to the left of the steering wheel and work your way around the dash. It un-snaps by pulling straight out. Pull hard, it's pretty difficult to break. When it's out of the way and your A-pillar is off, you can see that it's pretty easy to route the feed to your new gauges.



BTW as others above have said, ignore the instructions and completely remove the factory A-pillar and use one screw at the top of the new A-pillar to hold it in place.

Good luck

Tom

 

[RJ2]

gauge lighting

Does the blue bulb covers fit the ge 53 bulbs on the banks gauges? Thanks rj