Guages.. The Good, Bad, and Ugly...

[JTodd]

Whats the group consensus on guages (manufacturer, model, etc. . )? Does anyone make an all inclusive set?

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

There was an article in TDR last year, I believe, that compared gauges. Perhaps someone more familiar with the issues might know which one. Mine are over at the house.



I went for the isspro EVs on my 04 and will be getting the same for my 97.

 

[RDyson]

I have the Isspro EV's. The color matches great. Had them on for about a year and no problems.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I had several bad experiences with my Stewart-Warner Maximum performance series gauges.



Lighting -- VERY inconsistent lighting from one gauge to the next

SW's Response: Some of the guages I have are mechanical, others are electronic, thus the inconsistent lighting.



Fuel Pressure -- Ordered a 15psi gauge. Gauge arrives with tick marks to 10 psi. Then the next tick mark is 15psi about 1/8 inch further over. How the heck to you measure anything between 10 and 15 psi?

SW Response -- nobody can make a 15psi fuel pressure gauge that is accurate.



I also got some DOA hardware and had to have it replaced. It took an act of congress to get it done.



I HIGHLY recommend against these gauges.....

 

[JVolpe]

I have Autometer Ultra-Lites. 60psi boost, 1600* Pyro, Trans Temp, and electric 30psi Fuel Pressure, all but fuel pressure have been installed well over a year and no problems at all. Electric Fuel Pressure gauge has been installed 3 months or so and no problems with it either.



They don't match OE gauges, but the back lighting is consistent and enough light to read the gauges with. I have no compaints with these gauges.

 

[DaveHess]

I have a DiPricol 30PSI Boost, 1600* EGT and trans temp. I have only two complaints about the DiPricols. 1) The green lighting is not consistant between the three gauges, and 2) The EGT gauge never goes below 50*. Even when the truck has not been run for several days it still shows 50*. I have thought that maybe it is reading ambient air temperature within the manifold but that may be a lettle far fetched. Please correct me if I am wrong. I sed the Autometer three gauge cluster that mounts in the mid dash cubby on the '03's. Love that mount. Also, on the plus side, the Dipricols were easy to install and the instruction packet sent to me by Diesel Performance Parts (DPPI) was outstanding. Also, DPPI has outstanding customer service! I installed the trans temp sensor in the pan which is a deep PML pan. I understand that is not the most accurate but I add 20* to whatever it shows and it usually read around 160-180 even on the hottest summer days with the trailer out back. Whew! Sorry about that as I got a little long winded!

 

[JTodd]

Great Info Guys... Thanks for taking the time. . JT

 

[Huskerman]

JTodd,



I am going to go with a kit from Diesel Manor (www.dieselmanor.com). This kit: Dodge ISS EV Pro Kit



If you read at the bottom of the page, it claims to include everything but the SS braided hose including instructions.



I have no idea if it's a good kit or not since I haven't ordered or installed one yet. Maybe some other TDR members can comment.



Huskerman

 

[RockinJ]

ISSPRO EV + Diesel Manor = The Way to Go!!!!

A-pillar mounted white ISSPRO EV's (Boost, EGT, Fuel Pressure) from Dave Murphy at Diesel Manor. Have had good experience with DiPricol and VDO on my other rigs, but the EV's are the absolute best in looks, response, anti-fogging (this can happen on pillar mounts in cold climates), and illumination. Take a look . . . several photos of my install are featured on Diesel Manor's website (Dodge/ISSPRO gauge package section). Diesel Manor provides excellent advice, customer service, gauge package choices, pricing and quick order processing . . . thanks Dave!

Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[BarryG]

OTD is right there was a nice comparo of gauges in the TDR MAG a few issues ago.



I went with the SPA Dual gauges way back when. I really like them. They are dual gauges, they are all electric and they are digital. Some like that some dont. They are also expensive but bear in mind that they are duals even though still expensive. Mine have been great except for one thing. The lighting, though it is very adjustable through a user menu it doesnt really matter how adjustable they are if they burn out. I have had to send a couple in to get the lighting fixed. Other than that mine have been just plain great. They are very accurate and very customizable as far as readout and features. I have a 165k on them and still going.

http://www.spatechnique.com/dualgauges/dualgauges.htm

 

[Diesel Manor]

JTodd,



I am going to go with a kit from Diesel Manor (www.dieselmanor.com). This kit: Dodge ISS EV Pro Kit



If you read at the bottom of the page, it claims to include everything but the SS braided hose including instructions.



I have no idea if it's a good kit or not since I haven't ordered or installed one yet. Maybe some other TDR members can comment.



Huskerman

Yes,

Our kits do come with everything you'll need to do the install, except for one of us popping out of the box to install it for you We don't included the S. S. Fuel Press. Hose or banjo bolt because some customers have different ideas as to where they want to plumb for the FP gauge. No sence in making them pay for something they can't use. It's just as easy to add it to your shopping cart. We also now offer 1/8"NPT Taps as well as the size "R" drill bit for them. Check your tool box before you order to see if you already own them.



We do more than just give you all the bits and pieces that you'll need, we give you a set of detailed vehicle specific installation instructions also. The instructions that we include are either for 1994-2002 Gen 2's, or for 2003-up Gen 3's. Instructions are full color with pleanty of photos and a wiring schematic. Included are every possible crimp and connector that you could need, fuse connector w/ fuse, zip ties, snap grommets for exiting the firewall, extra hook-up wire (if needed), and so on... If I'm not mistaken, I believe that we're the only company that has an after-hours tech hotline if you run into a problem (customers only please). If you have any quesions don't hessitate to give us a call. We're here to help.

 

[ECappleman]

JTodd,



I am going to go with a kit from Diesel Manor (www.dieselmanor.com). This kit: Dodge ISS EV Pro Kit



If you read at the bottom of the page, it claims to include everything but the SS braided hose including instructions.



I have no idea if it's a good kit or not since I haven't ordered or installed one yet. Maybe some other TDR members can comment.



Huskerman

Got it

Love it

End of story :-laf



P. S.

I went with the cubby hole mount. Looks factory.

 

[RMalone]

I like the SPA gauges also especially the boost/egt on the srt-10 pillar. The dual and triple pillars just seem to be in my line of sight. Yeah they are expensive, but as already stated your getting two gauges. I do like the look of analog better than digital, but I find the advantages of the SPA (namely two gauges in the space of one, and fast temp response) outweigh the negatives.

 

[Huskerman]

Yes,

Our kits do come with everything you'll need to do the install, except for one of us popping out of the box to install it for you We don't included the S. S. Fuel Press. Hose or banjo bolt because some customers have different ideas as to where they want to plumb for the FP gauge. No sence in making them pay for something they can't use. It's just as easy to add it to your shopping cart. We also now offer 1/8"NPT Taps as well as the size "R" drill bit for them. Check your tool box before you order to see if you already own them.



We do more than just give you all the bits and pieces that you'll need, we give you a set of detailed vehicle specific installation instructions also. The instructions that we include are either for 1994-2002 Gen 2's, or for 2003-up Gen 3's. Instructions are full color with pleanty of photos and a wiring schematic. Included are every possible crimp and connector that you could need, fuse connector w/ fuse, zip ties, snap grommets for exiting the firewall, extra hook-up wire (if needed), and so on... If I'm not mistaken, I believe that we're the only company that has an after-hours tech hotline if you run into a problem (customers only please). If you have any quesions don't hessitate to give us a call. We're here to help.

David,



Glad to see you are a contributor here! That makes me even more confident in my future purchase. One question, is it possible to get an electrical fuel pressure gauge rather than mechanical in the ISS PRO EV?



I don't really know which is better but I sure would like to avoid messing with bring ANY fluids into my cab. I know, it comes with an isolator but you still have to run anti-freeze into the cab if I understand correctly.



Thanks again for posting Dave, from what I can see on the website, Diesel Manor appears to be very customer service friendly!



Huskerman

 

[RockinJ]

Huskerman,



I've had three (3) rigs with a mechanical FP gauge running through the same type isolator that Diesel Manor sells (for ISSPRO and DiPricol). Never experienced any problems whatsoever with fuel or antifreeze leakage from this type of isolator. The isolator only takes a couple of ounces (+/-) of antifreeze. You really can't go wrong with the ISSPRO EV's either . . . of all the analog gauges that I have run (Banks, DiPricol, VDO, ISSPRO), these are hands-down, the best!



Hope this helps.



RJ

 

[Diesel Manor]

ISSPRO is right now working on an electric sender fuel Pressure gauge. Nothing avaiable right now and it isn't expected to be released for 11 more months. So all that we have to work with are the mechanical gauges. You really don't need to be concerned though. The mechanical gauges work very well. Just make sure you follow the directions and apply teflon tape to the threads of the fittings. You shouldn't experiance any leaks.



Our isolators go through a whole process here before they get packaged. We replace all of the screws (as they came from the manufacturer) with socket head (allen) screws. They are all evenly torqued down after a threadlocker is applied to the threads. We do this due to vibration concerns. There's also mounting hardware included as well as necessary adapters fittings, a right angle fitting for the top if the isolator, and even a snap gromett to puch throught the firewall. OK, enough with the shameless plug If you have any questions before you buy just give us a call.

 

[JCleary]

ISSPRO is right now working on an electric sender fuel Pressure gauge. Nothing avaiable right now and it isn't expected to be released for 11 more months. So all that we have to work with are the mechanical gauges. You really don't need to be concerned though. The mechanical gauges work very well. Just make sure you follow the directions and apply teflon tape to the threads of the fittings. You shouldn't experiance any leaks.



Our isolators go through a whole process here before they get packaged. We replace all of the screws (as they came from the manufacturer) with socket head (allen) screws. They are all evenly torqued down after a threadlocker is applied to the threads. We do this due to vibration concerns. There's also mounting hardware included as well as necessary adapters fittings, a right angle fitting for the top if the isolator, and even a snap gromett to puch throught the firewall. OK, enough with the shameless plug If you have any questions before you buy just give us a call.

Sounds like I should have purchased mine from you guys. I made 3 trips (to a performance store and ACE hardware) for hardware just to get my fuel gauge installed. What a pain. I'm glad it works after all that effort.



One thing about the isolator install-



I put mine on the firewall, close to the hood hinge. I tapped the pressure line from the CP3. Let me tell you, it's LOUD. You hear the CP3 at idle, which isn't bad and goes away with acceleration (boxes off).



Turn up your fueling, however, and you hear all kinds of weird squealing coming from the isolator. I think I'll relo my banjo to the bottom of the filter housing, maybe it will be a bit more quiet.

 

[pullya]

Purchased my triple gauge mount and auto meter gauges from Geno's. I am most satisfied with the gauges and the mount. Gauges aren't to bright and they can be seen very easily. Pillar mount color matched the interior color very well and the installation was easy.