2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Opinion on guages, to match or not to match ?

[MErickson1]

I'am going to buy a set of autometer gauges. I'am not sure if I should go with something like the "cobalt" which has the black face, which would match better with the black instrument cluster or just go with a set of white gauges such as C2 in blue or the green Lunar ?



I was thinking if I went with the C2's that are blue led, I could buy the blue led instrument cluster bulbs to try and match up as much as possible.



Any ideas on this scenario ? ... . Trying to pick out what's best is almost painful !



Thanks !

Matt

 

[nps]

I went with matching. I got dipricol. My son got the autometer cobalt. Both look good.

 

[jraker]

I have a mixed bag. The Cobalt series are very bright and find it distracting in night time conditions. I have my fuel gauge mounted in the top pillar position which happens to be my eye level. My bad on that. I am going to relocate over the holidays. I love the gauge but I have to turn the interior lights down to almost off. Who needs to know how fast they are going anyways.



Joel

 

[TGibbs]

I put the autometer ultralite with red LEDs in them. Not to bright at night and they look sweet even though they dont match. I will try to attach pictures but not sure if it will work.

 

[McLaughlin]

It seems to be pretty much a personal preference thing. I have the Diprcols that sorta match my instrument cluster and I'm pretty happy with them. I don't think I would have been near as happy if I'd have put in the white faced version. Regarding the Cobalts, those look like one sweet gauge and I really like the looks of them. Only thing I've read repeatedly is they are pretty bright and that you really need to put a dimmer in the light/LED power lines to get the light intensity down to a more reasonable level.

 

[biggy238]

My Dakota Digitals are black day and night with digital teal numbers that very nearly match the dash. They aren't overpowering at night.



I would find something with a green color at night and white face and then put a white face kit on the truck gauges to match. .

 

[MKinner]

I went with the cobalts mainly because of the quality. Got half of my order today and should have the other half by this weekend. I am also getting the special dimmer from autometer for the LED lighted gauges. When i finish the install i will post pics of it and the parts i used. #ad

 

[TGibbs]

What do you mean the special dimmer? I have the autometer LEDs and they dim off the fuse I tapped into in the fuse box. No special dimmer though.

 

[MErickson1]

Thanks for the responce guys !



Gibbs, the pics look great, the Ultras do look good, I was really thinking on those too.



Mkinner... . While driving the truck home tonight (trying to decide), I think I will go with the Cobalts. I will love to see the pics when you get it all installed and what all you used to get it finished. I'am going to go with the fourth guage in the cubby hole next stereo. Were the Cobalts on back order ?



I like the white face guages better, but with the black cluster, the Cobalts should look good.

 

[R-N-R]

What do you mean the special dimmer? I have the autometer LEDs and they dim off the fuse I tapped into in the fuse box. No special dimmer though.

Does your dimmer switch get warm when the lights are dimmed?

 

[TGibbs]

Uh not sure I actually never use the dimmer. I didnt even realize the gauges dimmed until a month after I put them in. I was like when I realized they dimmed :-laf

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

I have ISSPro's, simply because they match better than any others IMHO to factory, like I wanted...



pics in my gallery of the WRONG ones they sent... LOL didn't have the Orange needles. The gauges I have now look factory.

 

[MKinner]

Thanks for the responce guys !

Gibbs, the pics look great, the Ultras do look good, I was really thinking on those too.

Mkinner... . While driving the truck home tonight (trying to decide), I think I will go with the Cobalts. I will love to see the pics when you get it all installed and what all you used to get it finished. I'am going to go with the fourth guage in the cubby hole next stereo. Were the Cobalts on back order ?

I like the white face guages better, but with the black cluster, the Cobalts should look good.

No the gauge weren't on backorder, but Mark at DPPI didn't stock the special dimmer. So he shipped my order in two separate shipments to help save on shipping costs. Some people have complained about the stock dimmer not being able to dim the gauges low enough for them so autometer came out with a special dimmer for the very low current draw LED lighted gauges. There isn't quite enough resistance in the stock dimmer to fully dim this type of gauge. Very nice looking gauges, can't wait to get the rest of my order in so i can start on them. http://www.autometer.com/cat_accessoriesdetail. aspx?vid=185 #ad

 

[biggy238]

What do you mean the special dimmer? I have the autometer LEDs and they dim off the fuse I tapped into in the fuse box. No special dimmer though.

LED's require such a little amount of power to operate that your dash lights (in some cases) can be almost completely out and the gauges still be on full blast.

 

[TGibbs]

Other colors must be different because the reds are very dim to begin with especially compared to the original bulbs