Need VDO gauge user comments

[JohnB]

Getting ready to buy gauges. I would like comments from members that have used VDO Vision gauges. Would you buy again--not just because you bought them the first time?
Thanks


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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

[Shleets]

Absolutely. They look great at night (hooked into the dimmer switch) and work fine.

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Mark Schlueter
2001, QC, 4x4, ETC, K&N, White sport package. Kodiak Sidewinder Steps (front and rear). Mag Hytec diff. cover. Wet Okole seat covers with Rams head logo. VDO Vision Gauges. Three hole "A" pillar mount from Geno's. Mag Hytec Trans pan on order.

 

[johnrv4]

I had the Vision series in my '98 and would use them again. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that they don't have a boost gauge that goes over 30psi. With the green bulb condoms, they match the factory gauges well. I like the pyro gauge because it is powered by 12 volts and I was able to use two probes with a switch for reading the temps pre and post turbo.

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2001. 5 2500 Quad cab SLT 4x4 ETH/DEE, towing package, snow plow prep, 3:55 anti-spin, and other goodies. Flame Red

 

[John]

JohnB, I have probably had my VDO Vision gauges installed the longest here... two years. I have been recommending them to everyone who asks for at least that long. I like the fact that NO other gauge matches the OE ('98+) instrumentation better! Their through-the-gauge lighting makes them easy to live with while night driving... especially when they are installed on the A-pillar (even at max brightness). As stated by johnrv4, the boost gauge only goes to 30 psi. (I've talked to VDO about this... they are considering a higher maximum). The pyrometer is perfect the way it is (IMO) however, unless you have your trans. temp. sender installed in the output cooler line, the graduations on their trans. temp. gauge are such that you will see VERY LITTLE movement if the sender is installed in the pan. BTW, the min/max temps. on the trans. temp. gauge are 150 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. #ad


Several months ago I decided to upgrade to $PA digital combination gauges. I'm just about ready to install them so I don't have any first hand information to provide regarding these gauges yet. Others have been very satisfied though. #ad


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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s/DD Boost Module, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 01-22-2001). ]

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

Am on the other side of the fence, I bought the VDO's 1st cause there the closest to the factory ones. When i recived them, I was disapointed in the quality of craftmanship. I ordered the autometer ultra-lits and I am happier then a pig in poop... . JB

 

[Cooker]

I'm sorry not to relate to the original topic but I have a question regarding temp gauges. I will say that I am planning on ordering the VDO Vision gauges as soon as someone from VDO or Egauges emails me back the answers to a few questions.

How high would I ever expect to see the transmission temp gauge. I considering going with their oil temp gauge because it reads lower to start, 120 I think, and 300 or 320 on the top end. The reason is I plan to switch between engine oil temp and transmission temp.

Ryan

 

[Shleets]

Originally posted by Cooker:
I'm sorry not to relate to the original topic but I have a question regarding temp gauges. I will say that I am planning on ordering the VDO Vision gauges as soon as someone from VDO or Egauges emails me back the answers to a few questions.

How high would I ever expect to see the transmission temp gauge. I considering going with their oil temp gauge because it reads lower to start, 120 I think, and 300 or 320 on the top end. The reason is I plan to switch between engine oil temp and transmission temp.

Ryan

Ryan, good question and I agree with you on the temp instrument. Trans temp in the 250 range is reason to stop and let it cool off. The transmission gauge goes way to high (400?)for good accurate readings in the 200-225 range. I am thinking about getting the oil gauge and sticking it where the transmission gauge is.

Other than thay, they are great gauges.




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Mark Schlueter
2001, QC, 4x4, ETC, K&N, White sport package. Kodiak Sidewinder Steps (front and rear). Mag Hytec diff. cover. Wet Okole seat covers with Rams head logo. VDO Vision Gauges. Three hole "A" pillar mount from Geno's. Mag Hytec Trans pan on order.

 

[illflem]

If you don't mind digital gauges,JC Whitney sells Intellronics(sp) temp gauges that display
0-350°in 1° increments,$36 for the gauge,$15 for senders. Many times my AT is running below 120°,a VDO would be useless. I've had this type of gauge installed in my trucks and tractors for over five years with no problems. They look good too.
Check them out here

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 01-22-2001). ]

 

[Cooker]

illflem,
Your transmission runs below 120? Where do you have the sender? Is it normal for the transmission to run so cool?

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by John:
Several months ago I decided to upgrade to $PA digital combination gauges. I'm just about ready to install them

John,

You wouldn't be interested in parting with the VDO's would you? I long ago decided to go with the VDO's, and mostly hear good things about them. If I can save some $$ by putting in used that would be even better.

Shelby



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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[illflem]

Ryan,my sender is in the output line to the cooler. It depends a lot on the outside temp,but my trans temp rarely goes over 150°(I don't tow with my AT)Normal hot according to manual is 180°. OD isn't supposed to kick in until 80°,thats where my gauge reads when it does,so I think the gauge is correct. If my TC is locked and I'm highway cruising at temps below 32°the AT temp is usually about 100°.

 

[dresslered]

I'm extremely happy with the VDO Vision Series. I have always used VDO in the past and have never had a problem with ANY gauge (some are over 20-years old now). My only complaint is that there is not a "Fuel Pressure" gauge offered in the Vision series. #ad


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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 01-24-2001). ]

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by dresslered:
My only complaint is that there is not a "Fuel Pressure" gauge offered in the Vision series. #ad

I don't suppose we could collectively convince VDO to build a Vision series fuel pressure gauge? I am at the point of adding gauges and was set on the VDO, but I agree that not having a fuel pressure gauge is kind of a bummer.

Shelby


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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[DUNE RACER]

I would definatly not buy these gauges again. These were the first thing I put on my '01 and I ended up taking them out and buying SPA's. The backlighting was completely different looking between my 2 gauges, the boost gauge had an internal rattle that occured when boost pressure fell off, and the pyro would fluctuate oddly sometimes. Sent them back to Summit and ordered SPA's, other than the slightly annoying backlighting I'm very happy with them.

 

[Cooker]

Duneracers comment are the first really negative one's I've seen yet.

I'm still trying to decide, but VDO are on the top.

 

[WHOLEHOG]

I must have completely overlooked this entire thread I post the following above all this in a new topic:

I am looking for gauges and a full pillar mount for my truck. I've gone back thru a bunch of old posts looking at what everyone likes and dislikes about the gauges they have chosen and the frontrunner for me right now seems to be the VDO Vision series gauges but nobody said where to get them. Where can I find them ? Who has the best price on them? Has anyone had good/bad experiences with these? I like them because they look the closest to factory gauges to me. All input will be appreciated.

Still I can't find where to get either them.

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98 SLT QC 4X4 Auto LWB Just Fixin To Be Bombed

 

[Cooker]

Egauge sells the VDO's, www.egauges.com

Summit sell them too but you won't find them on their website, no pictures at least. They are in Summit's catalog though. To check the prices at Summit go here http://www.vdona.com/online%20catalogs/performance%20catalog/Perf%20Cat%20HTML/perf%20cat%20vision%20frames.html
get the part number you are looking for and then go here http://www.summitracing.com/
and enter the part number in a search.

I haven't purchased my gauges yet either I like the VDO for the looks, but the limited boost is a drawback. IMO Autometer is one of the best gauges made, but I don't like the lighting much.