Guages, Do you really need them?

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I know the cardinal rule of BOMBing. Guages (Pyro - boost)are a must but what about a stock truck. All good to know info but is there ever a risk of damage to a stock truck under normal operating conditions that make them a nessecity?

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1999 FLAME RED 2500 SLT, QC, 4X4 AT, 3. 54 AGATE LEATHER

 

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Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

A pyro should have come with each truck off the line. How do you know when to shut down?

If you tow and are going uphill, are you sure you aren't frying your transmission fluid (on an auto)?

Also, in general most folks would rather have a guage to notice trends and changes from normal operating parameters. Any changes can indicate problems you can catch early on... . better than a dummy light coming on and telling you it's too late - you have a problem!

Just my opinion! #ad


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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, SPA guages, Alpha Liner, every option but running lights!

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

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I am with Scooby on this one. On the flip side my father has had two Dodge Diesels and never had gauges in them. He tow's his big heavy fifth wheeler all over the place and never had any problems. He has not bombed either truck either. That being said, I bought him a set of gauges for Fathers day last year and he has since been on a long trip and actually said that he saw some high egt's towing up big hillls and backed off the peddle to lower them.
So Yes again, buy gauges. I like the SPA gauges, but they are spendy.

Being that I am a good son, I bou

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John D. Rathert Jr.
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01 2500 SLT+ QC LWB 4x4 Auto 3. 54 rear end, Forrest Green Sport with all options avail. DC Nerf Bars, DC Grill Gard, DC mud flaps, Line-X bed liner, Leer 160XL Topper, Power Edge, EZ Edge, SPA Boost/EGT Gauge on pillar mount, DDT's torque converter - valve body combo, 275 RV injectors and Diesel Dynamics 4" Exhaust.
Airbox Mods, new turbo and SS fuel lines in planning stages... .

See My Truck

Dads truck: 98. 5 3500 SLT QC LWB 4x4
Brother Truck: 92 W250 SLT CC LWB 4x4 (Dads old truck)

See 5 Diesels and a Gasser
Winter fun: 2000 Skidoo Summit 700

 

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yes yes yes: What they said!!! #ad


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2K, 2500,Laramie,Quad,4x4,3:54LSD,auto,reese 15k 5th slider, EISLEY BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS, TA's,9000's, DD2's,Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC and COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE,VFW-LIFE,SASS

 

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No No NO. Read past issues of the TDR. John Holmes said that the truck is sent from Dodge and detuned so that you won't need any gauges.
My comment: Gauges - Amsoil - all the rest of the hype is just feel good stuff. All you've got to do is learn how to drive!

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99' Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 30K Miles.
26' Terry w/slide 7500GVWR
"KISS your truck and it will be forever faithful"

 

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IMO - A stock configuration shouldn't need guages. If the factory was selling somthing that marginal than they would have a lot of cooked engines being replaced. I agree that the auto transmission should have a temp guage if you tow.

 

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I just got a picture of my guages. And yes mine is stock as far as the cam plate,injectors. Anyway I got the pyro new for $25, a little big but the price was right.
#ad


Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

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A little big?, holy cow I thought that thing was the compass off the Titanic. Functions though, thanks for the input.

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1999 FLAME RED 2500 SLT, QC, 4X4 AT, 3. 54 AGATE LEATHER

 

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I always figured that the reason Dodge choked down the Cummins power,especially with the puny air box opening,was so they wouldn't have to include a pyro and boost gauge stock. I think if you do a mod as small as replacing the factory air filter with a free flowing type,tow or haul a heavy camper,you best have at least a EGT gauge. It doesn't need to be as big as Rick's though #ad

 

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All good points! I believe you need them just for trouble shooting if anything. They will pay for them selves when going for repairs to be able to actually tell them what is the problem. It sure saves me time and the customer money if he can tell me that the boost is down 10lbs or the EGTS are not up to what they should be while climbing out of a hole.

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Owner: Stabco Repower, The turbo housing guys. '89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Horton fan clutch, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Accessory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Borgeson steering shaft, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS wheels, BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")

 

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I'm on the fence on this one. Out of the chute - more gauges is better. Trouble shooting is much easier. And, I must say a transmission temp would be nice when towing in the mountains.

However, I feel to add gauges to a STOCK truck is really no more than a feel-good thing. If DC matched everything up properly, you shouldn't need to monitor anything. And if you read something you do NOT like, what are you going to do about it? Slow down, pull over, or idle longer - nothing more.

On the other hand, if you BOMB the story changes. You're effectively changing the design as you go and you need gauges to evaluate cause and effect. And now, you have another option when you get an ugly reading. Slow down, pull over, idle longer, or perform another modification - nothing more !!!

IMHO. Sorry for the long post, Joe.

PS I'd take a set of free gauges in a heartbeat #ad


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White 1999, 3500 QuadCab, 6x6, 275 injectors and Practical Solutions Module w/elbow, Automatic, Diamond Plate Running Boards and Flaps, Pac Brake, Missing Muffler, Grover Air Horns.
"SHAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL"

 

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Hey Harvey, What kind of steering wheel is that in the photo? Ribbed for her pleasure?

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9535hundred

[This message has been edited by Statland (edited 01-17-2001). ]

 

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M1A2, YES, YES, YEs. Get guages. Especially if you are planning to tow in the mountains. Going up EIsenhower Pass on I 70 west of Denver, in my then- stock 93 W350 with a 5 speed, I topped 1000 deg at about the 9500 ft mark. I was pushing it hard, but had I not had guages, I am sure it would have gone to 1300 real fast. I had plenty of pedal left, and Water guage was in the good.

If you have a turbocharged engine, diesel or gas, you need guages. I have not done that much BOMBing, but plan to do more, and will never own another turbodiesel without guages.

So yes, spend the $200 and get the guages. ANd get a 50 psi guage. Better to have it and not use it than to peg out a 30.
Daniel Puckett

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Daniel's current truck: 1993 W350 club cab, 5 speed, treadplate aluminum flatbed, 4. 10 rear end, straight pipes, K&N, "slightly" tweaked pump. ISSPRO color coded pyrometer and 50psi boost guage. NRA Life Member (since age 12) and d@mned proud of it. IRBCTS.

 

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If Dodge had everything together in a stock truck so there would not be a problem then we wouldnt have the chronic problems like 5th gear nuts, auto trannies going away, lots of stupid electrical problems, so get the gauges and make sure your expensive engine is safe and long lived. A boost gauge you can live without but a EGT is a must if you tow at all.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

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If you check the 18 wheelers,engine gauges are as standard as speedometers. On our Rams if you just run around town empty you don't need any. If you tow and care about your TD you defenitely need a EGT gauge for sure. I limit my fuel feed by my EGT,on a long heavy pull I back off my fuel when I see 1000F pre
turbo temp. I would never buy a used tow truck
that didn,t have a EGT gauge and responsible
driver. My 2 bits!!!!!

 

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Even with a stock powered truck that doesen't haul or tow anything,you should get gauges.
I talk to folks all the time,and when they complain about mileage,I look at their trucks and never see gauges in them. Without an EGT gauge,folks don't know when to take their foot out of the 'gas' pedal to maximize fuel economy. Keep your EGT's at or below 600 degrees.
Also,I always see people shutting their truck off as soon as they come to a stop,never letting the engine temp idle down. How do you know you safely shut the truck off at or below 300 degrees? They're just asking for turbo failure.
Also,a boost gauge lets you know when your truck is running low on power or has a boost leak.

So you see... gauges are not just some gimmick that dances around as you drive. They tell you if you are driving smartly or safely when using the trucks full potential.

-Mike

 

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Papa Joe, Deezul1 has the answer.
If D/C has it hooked up right?????? Whoa. Stop right there. That in itself says a lot. A D/C mech told the Cummins was "choked" cause the engine was twisting the frame into a & sign. Gauges are not necessary but then cushion in the seat is not either. But it does sit better with it. I maybe baby my Cummins , but I don't want any tears driping from the head lights.
Getum... ... You truck will thank you.
Preston

 

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Boy..... this humble pie tastes lousy.
But, but, but I did say more gauges is better #ad
#ad


Joe

 

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The clock's missing off of the courthouse! Rick... how do you see around that thang?
I use my boost and pyro gauge for intertainment. It's yet to see over 850* post turbo but it regularly sees 23psi of boost while towing our 5th wheel. Kinda lets me know how hard it's working on my fuel card.

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98 2500 CC SB 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges, Reese 15k Classic
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1
00 Jayco 25' 5th wheel, single slide

 

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Come off the two bills and get the gauges. Use the pyro for shutting it off and use the boost for diagnostics. How often have you heard of someone overheating, yet they have a water temp guage. I had a problem with the waste gate (C-clip broke off and rendered it ineffective) thank god the computer defueled the motor before the grenade went off. I installed the guages shortly after. I also would recomend installing the boost guage in the intake horn so you can tell if you are having a leak in the plumbing or the intercooler. BONE STOCK AND LOVING MY GUAGES AND E-BRAKE!

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Y2K 2500, QC, 4X4, 3. 54LS, ST, 5 speed, SWB,Cummins E-brake,Westech Pyro and Boost Dual guage, 12 Disk JVC CD

[This message has been edited by Posm (edited 01-20-2001). ]