2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Trans Temp and Fuel Pressuse Gauges

[JoeBioDiesel]

I am going to install a transmission temp gauge and a fuel pressure gauge in my truck. I've got a couple of questions for the folks that have done it before.



On the trans gauge, what style did you use... Do you measure the temp at the outlet cooler pipe or install another sensor in the pan? Electrical sending unit or mecanical? Brand and source for the gauge?



On the fuel pressure gauge. What psi range should I get? Where did you tap in to the fuel circuit? What brand gauge?



Thanks,

Joe

 

[bmoeller]

transmission temp- Cooler line is the best place for the temp sensor. You will see the hottest temps that come from the T/C. Bought all my gauges from www.dieselpage.com Great prices and customer service. Ihave this for a transmission gauge (R5659R) http://www.dieselpage.com/issev3.htm



I don't have a fuel press. gauge yet.



This is from http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/96specs.html

Fuel Pressure: 18-24 psi at idle, 28-36 at 2000 rpm with no load.



You may want to also get a pyrometer to watch your exhaust temps.

 

[rweis]

I got Westach's duals. Dual transmission temp, hot line & pan. Dual FP pre & post. Can get both needles in 1 gauge.



If only one needle in a gauge then hot line for trany and post fuel filter for FP.



I got KV solid state, no moving parts. Some guys swear by strickly mechanicals. Your call



Bob Weis

 

[JPLB22]

Joe...



I went with a 0 - 30 psi FP gauge. I have the DiPricol with the white face and chrome bezel ( the brand new style made to match the 03's ).

At first I didn't like the white face as my factory gauges are black, but it has definately grown on me. I chose the new DiPricol because the color at night matches my factory gauges.

I went with a 0 - 30 psi. cause I am going to use a pusher pump so I will need more than 15 psi max. And I thought the 0 - 100 psi was not precise enough.



Hope this helps!



Jeff

 

[JBlock]

I went mechanical

But I would go electric next time, the mechanical guage require a huge tap hole 1/4 inch or 3/8 pipe. It doe not work in the out line. also go with the 100 to 280 degree range guage, my guage never move above the 140 mark, which is the lowest reading. except when backing up with trailer or stop at the Canadian border and idling for 30-45 minutes. then in jumps to 220 in the pan.



JB





__________________

 

[rweis]

I try to get the average operating reading right in the middle of the gauge range ie 0-30 FP so 15 is in the middle.



Does not always work,

egt is 0-1500 and I get 700 - 1000

fp is 0-30 I get 12-15

transmission 0-380 (I think) I get 150 - 200

boost 0-50 I get 3 - 35

op 0-100 I get 40 - 90

diff* 0-380 I get 120 - 200

air press 0-200 I get 50-150



you get the idea of gauges that will not be pegged at one end or the other



I used all electrics from Westach and 17k / about 1 year zero problems.

 

[jbone]

Joe, Just replaced my mech FP gauge with an electronic, and boy am I alot happier (thought I was losing another pump and turned out to be the #$%^ Sender in mech gauge). I like the Westach gauges, but might get the white face if I was thinking of doing it now---they have white face change-out for our dashs now..... Just my two cents worth... ... ... ... R, Another Joe

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by jbone

Joe, Just replaced my mech FP gauge with an electronic, and boy am I alot happier (thought I was losing another pump and turned out to be the #$%^ Sender in mech gauge).

Sure it wasn't the other way round? Mechanical gauges don't have a sender.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Jeff, where did you find a fuel pressure gauge that goes to 30 psi? I haven't found one yet. Plenty of low psi, and then 100 psi gauges.

bmoeller, what type of sensing device attaches to the cooler line? Does everybody use this style? I was thinking I would have to add a hole to the trans pan to install an sensor...

Joe

 

[Johnny5]

I think you can add a '95 cooler line w/ port on a '96. I got mine from Desert Diesel but there is a few other places that carry them. Keep in mind that line has an anti drain back valve that needs to be taken out. I have a line run for the future addition of a Mag Hytec pan w/ port but figured the cooler line temps is what I needed first.



Johnny5

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Johnny5

I think you can add a '95 cooler line w/ port on a '96.

Johnny5

Yep. Put one on my '97.

 

[JPLB22]

Joe I got my 0 - 30 psi FP gauge from DiPricol. It is the new line made with a white face and orange pointer, and either a black or chrome bezel. It lights up greenish blue at night time just like my factory gauges ( well, maybe slightly more green to it ). I went with a chrome bezel which I thought looked good at the time. But I didn't think about sun light reflecting off of bezel in to my eyes, I have the gauge mounted on steering colume. If I did it over I would go with black bezel.



That is more than you probably needed to know, oh well.



Jeff

 

[Troy S]

I chose the Westach black face gauges. I chose a dual egt/boost, a single temp (for transmission), and a 0-16 PSI FP gauge. You can check out my before pics here:

http://smallnet.homeip.net:3001/truck/truck_pre-upgrades/index.htm



Notice in picture "DSCF0006.JPG" that in the very middle is the Janetty thermowell that installs into a transmission line.



You'll also notice that I installed a painless wiring kit, bedliner, Reese foldaway gooseneck hitch, electric brake controller, and CB. I chose not to use the Piers Diesel boost adapter and instead just drilled and tapped the intake horn (part seen in picture "DSCF0007. JPG - DSCF0009.JPG")



My post upgrade pics are here: http://smallnet.homeip.net:3001/truck/truck_post-upgrades/index.htm



All gauges, painless wiring kit, and FP line were bought from Geno's garage. The Piers Diesel boost adapter was bought directly from them and the Janetty thermowell was bought directly from them.