Milage Computer: After the fact install?

[John - K5AWO]

Okay... I admit it... I a techie junkie...



But, the last 3 vehicles I owned had the "instant milage" computer and 2 of them had "average mpg" computers .



This truck has Outside Temperature. That's it, zilch.



Anyone ever tried to install the factory system after the fact, or used a 3rd party unit?



Had any trouble with the install, and how expensive did it get to be?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

If you're looking for a full-featured setup with instant mileage readoun, distance to empty, average fuel mileage, etc. , etc. , I suspect you're outta luck - WAY too many sensors and interfaces to deal with - but let us know if you succeed...

 

[jrobinson2]

This thread has Info on installing a OEM setup trip comp install... '99s only had average mpg, not instant mpg but I don't know if the difference is in the trip computer or the ecm.

Jared

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by jrobinson2

This thread has Info on installing a OEM setup trip comp install...

Jared

Hey jared,



Thanks for that link. doesn't sound promising unless I would happen to find some used parts laying around.



I had thought to just build one up, but was wondering about how to measure the fuel consumption "cheaply". Fuel flow meters can get expensive and unless I am wrong, to do it right would require two of them.

1) main fuel line

2) return line



Then a difference computation can be made. Picking up a distance traveled signal from the onboard sensor giving the odometer its' input.



A small tiny basic computer could be programmed to do the calculations. I would be pretty happy with only the "instantaneous" reading. end to end is easy enough by hand.