Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) time for guages - your opinions please

[dnesbitt3]

Well it finally happened, VP44 went out at 184K, after talking to the mechanic at Cummins South he recommended the only thing I could do to help this one last longer is to monitor fuel pressure.



So I'd like your opinions on guage manufacturers, why you like them, what "extra" parts I need.



I would like to install fuel pressure, trans temp, and exhaust temp in triple a pillar mount. Are there any specific instructions for installing these guages (like how to run the wires, etc - perhaps a link)??



Truck is stock. Have done business with Geno's in the past, is this the best place to get these type of things.



One other thing, I really don't like the digital guages that are available.....



Thanks,

Don

 

[BKilbury]

Don, got my Westach guages from Geno's. they have done the trick. think i've still got the instructions out in the garage if ya want em.

rgds, bryan

lexington, sc

 

[jjohn]

Originally posted by dnesbitt3

Well it finally happened, VP44 went out at 184K, after talking to the mechanic at Cummins South he recommended the only thing I could do to help this one last longer is to monitor fuel pressure.

184K..... Last Longer..... Don Mine gave up at 52K! Anyway I have the New style DiPricol mechanical and love it. The westach would be a little easier to install I suppose.



However because your running stock and seem to have the VP44 longevity thing figured out already. . An option would be a mechanical test gauge from Rip or Briarhopper for example and test your pressure every time you change your oil. I check my installed gauge every now and then with a second test gauge. A little anal I know!

 

[rblomquist]

for your year truck the Geno's Westach option is silly easy to install.

 

[nieters]

give tim at city diesel a call.

i bought my isspro gauges from there.

customer service is outstanding and they have great prices.

tim will take care of you.

chad nieters

 

[dnesbitt3]

installation?

are all of these fuel guages electronic? Is ther an under hood sending unit? Also does the transmission pan have to be drilled for the temp sender? Where does the exhaust temp probe/sensor go?



Is there an advantage over one manufacturers system versus another or are they all the same?



Thanks from a novice



Peace,

Don

 

[SpicyJam]

You can get a digital fuel gauge like mine if you look at my gallery. They are just at 105 bucks. Very easy install no fuel in cab.

 

[Mark Craig]

dnesbitt3,



DiPricol's are consistently the best seller for the Dodge's, they look like the factory gauges and have a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and isolater set up.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[Rman]

I would highly suggest mechanical. Many folks here have electrical and will say they're fine but it's just one more thing to fail and cause you heartache down the road. Mechanicals are very reliable and simple, it's there or it's not.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Holley Racing makes a neat little fuel pressure guage that can be screwed right into the top of the fuel filter.



I bought one as a backup and it is handy to take a quick look whenever the hood is open.



I found it at my local racing shop accessories store. About $26. 00 I think.

 

[TMills]

I have the westach set up (fuel pressure, boost/egt, and transmission temp) and I love it. It was simple to install and they have worked wonderfully. I got it all from genos. They will send you everything you need or if you just need parts they will do that too. I am currently using the dipstick method with my transmission temp gauge, except it is taped to the hot line coming out of the transmission. There is no line to replace, no thread to tap, and no line to run down the dipstick. You can view the pics of my set up in my gallery.



Todd

 

[dnesbitt3]

thanks

ordered guages from Geno's today. Andy was very helpful, sure I'll have more questions when installation time comes. Thanks for your comments



Don

 

[jjohn]

What brand did you decide on Don?

Are you going to do the pillar mount, Dash top pod?

 

[andrewkoperdak]

I have Westach and have been happy with them. I have a dual boost/EGT gauge and a single fuel mounted in a dual pillar mount. Looks good without being to much.

If I were to do it again, I would change my 0-15 psi fuel gauge. to a 0-30 psi gauge. My truck almost always put the needle at 15 psi or slightly more.

I also enjoyed the red backlighting more than white or green. Just made it look interesting at night.

 

[dnesbitt3]

my decision

Westach Fuel Pressure guage because of simple installation and I didn't want fuel or antifreeze lines coming into the cab of the truck. (1-16 lbs)



Westach Temp Guage with probe that fits B&M drain plug that I will install on the transmission pan.



Autometer Z series exhaust temperature guage.



A pillar triple mount.



Looking forward to getting intimate with the dash and wiring on my Ram.....



Peace,

Don<><

 

[Aaron_A]

So far I love my Di Pricol gauges. I thought the Westachs are just to hard to read in a glance and the digitals are too busy.

heres a pic

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=13500&width=2

 

[y-knot]

I have had ISSPRO, DI PRICOL both were suggested to me when I first bought my Dodge, both were good and never failed, but I had problems seeing them at night. When i recently re-worked my truck, I chucked them and went with all Auto-Meter gages, the ultra Lite series. I have used them in the past and as always found them to be supperior. They work well, and they are very easy to read, all nine (9) of them. For now on it's Auto-Meter all the way.

#ad




#ad

 

[Aaron_A]

Auto Meter has always been my gauge of choice too, but I could not find a fuel pressure gauge with the right range,all I could find was 0-15psi or 0-100psi and I wanted 0-30.

Not wanting to mix gauges I went with all Di Pricol.

My gauges seem to be just as bright as the factory gauges,maybe they have changed them or something.

night pic

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=13514&width=2

 

[Silverbullet]

The Isspro EV mechanical I installed has been great. Just ran a line direct into the cab w/o isolator. Works without a problem. Easy to read too.