To the heavy haulers...what guages?

[Radshooter]

After our recent trip with the big fiver, I decided it may be time for more guages as the money allows. I already have Preturbo egt, and boost. Thinking about adding a rear diff temp, fuel pressure, engine oil pressure and temp, a transmission temp (6spd), and post-turbo egt.

Just wondering what guages you guys run, and do I really need all these extra guages? I think fuel pressure, post egt, and rear diff temp for sure, but not sure about the others.

What will an oil temp guage tell me that the coolant temp guage does not?

We weighed the fiver on the way to the factory, and it came across the scales at 17,700lbs. We did not weigh it on the trip to Houston from the factory, but we had the rubber roof replaced with a fiberglass roof. Don't know how that will change the weight. When we have time and get settled here, we are having a big throwing away/weight loss party Oo. . That will make it a little easier to handle, but so far the truck really does great with the trailer. We pull and work all over the western USA, so the truck sees everything from deserts and oceans, to the top of the Rockies.

I am hoping this is the last truck I have to buy for awhile, and am looking forward to at least 300,000 miles on it. I want the guages needed to take care of my baby.

Thanks again... ... . Steve

 

[AABEN]

I run close to 18,000LB. I do run the rear diff. I am happy that I have it. It tells you when the timp is getting hot. I jest slow down till it drops to a safte timp. That way you know when to change the oil. I all so run out west TX NM AZ CL CO NV and east IL IN MO AR TN KY WV NC SC and other states.

 

[GAmes]

I have a trans temp gauge in my 5 speed. It is only good for filling the hole in my dash pod. It has not given me any kind of warning of impending failure, and I have had a few. Slowing down isn't an option. I tow at about 62 mph, which is the very bottom of my torque curve.

 

[MMerlino]

Good statements above. My two cents is the rear diff and trans temp for manual transmissions are only good to tell you are in impending doom. With all your traveling I would recommend installing fuel pressure gauge(s). This will tell you if you got a load of dirty fuel or in cold weather if your fuel is "jellying". I use mine also to see the differential pressure between the input to the fuel filter and the output pressures. Anything 2 lbs or less is OK. Above that it is time to change the fuel filter. Greater than 4 lbs difference means pull over and change now... Even though I said the diff and trans temps are not really useful (other than show) as you can see from my signature profile I love gauges. Being a retired aircraft mechanic I got used to being able to see operating indications on everything...

 

[12V Ford]

I've gone gauge crazy, as bad as a big rig. I'm still adding gauges, but right now I have 2 boosts, pyro, drive pressure, fuel press, air filter restriction, dual air press, and the basics, oil press, tach, speedo, volts, fuel level, and water temp.



I've got room to add fuel filter restriction, oil temp, tran temp, diff temp, ammeter, and splitter temp. I think that about covers it for gauges. Will I look at half of them, probably not, but I like the look and I'll know what everything is doing. The ones that will probably be the most helpful of the not so common will be the air filter, fuel press, and fuel filter gauges.

 

[Radshooter]

Thanks everyone. Sorry for the slow reply, but we haven't got internet hooked up yet. Using a borrowed computer at the MIL's house.

Sounds like I may forget about the diff and transmission temp gages (at least until the last to be paid for). Sounds like I should go with the fuel pressure gage though. I hadn't thought about using 2 FP gages (pre and post filter). If I could only afford them one at a time, would the post filter gage be the better one to put in first?

Next question... . I was thinking about putting 2 or 3 gages in the cubby hole. Does the cubby hole mount come with the holes pre-drilled, or are they knockouts that you can punch out as you need them? If I only use 1 hole there, will I still have two open holes staring at me?

Thanks again..... Steve