New Guage Installations???

[Renoram]

Hi out there,

I have been reading the forum for a few months & just joined TDR. I think it's the "greatest" for Dodge diesel owners!



My first project is installing 3 gauges- EGT,boost & transmission temp. I already have them mounted on the dash bezel with a Rods pod. It fits great with some small trimming on top side. I have all the wires run to the floorboard. I installed Isspro guages bought from Diesel Injection Service (DIS).



I have a '99 Ram quad longbed 4x4, automatic



Now here's the questions:



1) transmission temp gauge- I bought the cooler line from Desert diesel parts. I read that I need to remove the check valve ball- correct?



The wire harness provide is only about 3-4' long from the power supply to temp bulb- too short to go thru firewall (I dont want to splice more wire to lengthen it). It looks like I could go through the 4 wheel drive engage handle on floor. Has anyone done this? If so, how do you take the boot apart?



2) Boost gauge- DIS recommends taking out the 3/4 npt plug for engine connection which is fairly easy to get to. I have seen posts on using the mount bolt on top of intake with modified fitting for the 1/8" tube but I have to send away for it which would cost time & $24 with the shipping. I can get the 3/4 to 1/8 npt adapter here in Reno for $5. I have read that tapping near the rear of the engine gives oscillating needle. Before I pull the plug has anyone installed this way & have any comments?



3) Gauge lighting- I am thinking about paralleling the 3 power wires together with a splice then 1 wire out the other end of splice to the fuse panel with one of those spade (male) adapters to a female from the gauge lighting wire. It'looks like the instrument cluster wiring fuse is 5 or 15 amps on the left lower side of dash. If I tap in here, will I be ok. How many amps does the 3 gauge lighting take? Any other ideas. Of course hooking up the ground side is easy.



Thanks in advance for everyone's help,

Chet Y.

Reno, NV

 

[MGordon]

I installed my boost gauge as you describe. The gauge works fine. I did have to use a close nipple and a coupling to get the adapter out where I could turn it.



Since I have a manual transmission and digital gauges, I really can't help with you other questions.

 

[dieselshu]

Guage install

1) transmission temp gauge- I bought the cooler line from Desert diesel parts. I read that I need to remove the check valve ball- correct?

The wire harness provide is only about 3-4' long from the power supply to temp bulb- too short to go thru firewall (I dont want to splice more wire to lengthen it). It looks like I could go through the 4 wheel drive engage handle on floor. Has anyone done this? If so, how do you take the boot apart?

2) Boost gauge- DIS recommends taking out the 3/4 npt plug for engine connection which is fairly easy to get to. I have seen posts on using the mount bolt on top of intake with modified fitting for the 1/8" tube but I have to send away for it which would cost time & $24 with the shipping. I can get the 3/4 to 1/8 npt adapter here in Reno for $5. I have read that tapping near the rear of the engine gives oscillating needle. Before I pull the plug has anyone installed this way & have any comments?

3) Gauge lighting- I am thinking about paralleling the 3 power wires together with a splice then 1 wire out the other end of splice to the fuse panel with one of those spade (male) adapters to a female from the gauge lighting wire. It'looks like the instrument cluster wiring fuse is 5 or 15 amps on the left lower side of dash. If I tap in here, will I be ok. How many amps does the 3 gauge lighting take? Any other ideas. Of course hooking up the ground side is easy.

#1 Yes you may have to remove the check valve if it has already been done, small screwdriver and a scribe work fine. The power supply can be mounted under the dash next to the thru firewall grommet, there is a cast stiffner that you can attach velcro to and the power supply will mount right to it. There is just enough wire to run down to the sensor. My tran gauge is on the bottom of the pillar pod.



#2 I installed my boost gauge in the same location as describe by DIS and all is well, did notice a little chatter in gauge so I installed a 1/8" double female flare needle valve to tune it down and the chatter went away.



#3 the gauge instruction say protect with a 1 amp fuse per gauge, they really dont draw alot of power so tapping three into one shouldn't be a problem, but I would recommend using higher gauge wire for the single wire. For the lighting of the gauges you can tap into the light switch I believe its tan with red or orange stripe, just use a circuit tester and determine which wire works off the light dimmer switch. For connectors I recommend twist-lok, they are easy to install, and remove, no having to cut numerous inches off the wire each time and can be found at Napa. If you need photo's pm me. What about fuel pressure gauge? I recommend Dakota digital electrical, might as well do it all at once.



Good luck

Dave