Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Well, BoB4X4 just installed new gauges in my truck a few weeks ago. This is the second set that Bob put in a truck for me, and he did his usual terrific job. I went with the dash mounted trio using the faceplate that was in the last TDR issue. It fits nicely over the cubby just under the AC controls, and with a little matching paint, the DiPricols look like they came from the factory.
But what they tell me, is surprising. First, the EGT gauge display goes to 1600* degrees. The red line on the 04. 5' is at about 1450* degrees, per John Homes of Carson Dodge fame. John puts on the monthly seminars at Carson Dodge, and is a wealth of knowledge about our Cummins engines. I just heard his seminar at the Rattlin' Rams truck festival at Foothill Dodge last weekend. John is an impressive guy. The 01' truck I had used to enter the red zone at 1250* degrees. Yes, these new trucks run much hotter, much quicker. Even on the DiPricol gauge, the ticks turn from black to red at 1400*.
The second big surprise was how much boost this truck makes with the stock engine. The 01' I had would top out around 24-26#, and that was with an Edge EZ and a boost elbow. The 04. 5' will run up to 34# of boost, getting on the freeway in 5th gear. I am really glad I bought the 60# boost gauge!
If I went with the 30# gauge I had in the 01', the needle would have been pegged half the time! (In fact, Genos should put a disclaimer in the catalog that recommends the 60# gauge for the third gen trucks). The other observation about the boost gauge on this truck, is that the needle JUMPS when the turbo kicks in. The boost gauge needle jumps faster than the tach!
The last gauge is the fuel pressure gauge. It sits pretty solid between 7-10 pounds, regardless of how heavy im into the go pedal. Since the injection pump just has to maintain pressure, it will be much easier on the longevity of the pump. On the 3rd gens the injectors are opened electronically, not by a build up of pressure. The fuel rail maintains a pressure of about 7,500# at idle, and 27,000# at WOT. (This is per BoB4X4, the diesel mechanic at a dealership here by the house. )
The moral to this story is to GET GAUGES. These new trucks are an amazing piece of mechanical wizardry. But knowing what is going on under the hood is invaluable.
Sarge
PS: I added a few pics of the gauges and the install pod in my reader rigs photos... ... .
But what they tell me, is surprising. First, the EGT gauge display goes to 1600* degrees. The red line on the 04. 5' is at about 1450* degrees, per John Homes of Carson Dodge fame. John puts on the monthly seminars at Carson Dodge, and is a wealth of knowledge about our Cummins engines. I just heard his seminar at the Rattlin' Rams truck festival at Foothill Dodge last weekend. John is an impressive guy. The 01' truck I had used to enter the red zone at 1250* degrees. Yes, these new trucks run much hotter, much quicker. Even on the DiPricol gauge, the ticks turn from black to red at 1400*.
The second big surprise was how much boost this truck makes with the stock engine. The 01' I had would top out around 24-26#, and that was with an Edge EZ and a boost elbow. The 04. 5' will run up to 34# of boost, getting on the freeway in 5th gear. I am really glad I bought the 60# boost gauge!
If I went with the 30# gauge I had in the 01', the needle would have been pegged half the time! (In fact, Genos should put a disclaimer in the catalog that recommends the 60# gauge for the third gen trucks). The other observation about the boost gauge on this truck, is that the needle JUMPS when the turbo kicks in. The boost gauge needle jumps faster than the tach!The last gauge is the fuel pressure gauge. It sits pretty solid between 7-10 pounds, regardless of how heavy im into the go pedal. Since the injection pump just has to maintain pressure, it will be much easier on the longevity of the pump. On the 3rd gens the injectors are opened electronically, not by a build up of pressure. The fuel rail maintains a pressure of about 7,500# at idle, and 27,000# at WOT. (This is per BoB4X4, the diesel mechanic at a dealership here by the house. )
The moral to this story is to GET GAUGES. These new trucks are an amazing piece of mechanical wizardry. But knowing what is going on under the hood is invaluable.
SargePS: I added a few pics of the gauges and the install pod in my reader rigs photos... ... .
Last edited:
]
