With the recent problems that I´ve had with my motor, I can´t help but think that maybe, just maybe I could have circumvented the whole ordeal if I had gauges rather than idiot lights for critical functions. By the time the fawking oil light came on, the engine was already making strange noises. I´m not saying that I would have caught it in time, but that possibility exists.

With all that said, I´m thinking of taking advantage of the downtime to construct a new dash, ripping out the original and going with a stark and simple sheet steel set-up. And I wanna fill it with every conceivable gauge that might signal impending mechanical or electrical failure, as well as a few convenience items.

My list:

tachometer / hour meter
speedometer / odometer
oil temp
oil pressure
water temp
water pressure
clock
fuel level
voltmeter
ammeter

Am I forgetting anything??

Also, I searched a little on the Net for info and found that VDO makes a "severe duty" series of gauges. Are they worth what I would assume to be a premium price over "regular" gauges?? What brands are y´all using??

TIA,

I just use Autometer Sport Comp. Work really well, easy to see all the time. As far as Water Preassure, I have never seen one of those. Is it worth it if you can find one?

Erin

I wouldn't run an ammeter either. Pretty much useless and you need to run all the power through it. Which means large cables into your dash!:nuke:

Originally posted by billj
With the recent problems that I´ve had with my motor, I can´t help but think that maybe, just maybe I could have circumvented the whole ordeal if I had gauges rather than idiot lights for critical functions.

TIA,

Yes and no.. Gauges are great.. but do you drive down the road or trail looking at your oil pressure gauge? Of course not, you glance at it at start up, and if something were to sound funny. I built a warning system for low oil pressure and high water temp to go along with my gages. Really nothing more than a idiot light with a loud buzzer attached,, Except my system trips at 10 psi oil pressure and 225 deg coolant temp. Unlike an OEM idiot lights which are set to about 3psi and 250 deg. I use a small box on the dash, holds a large warning light, buzzer plus an override switch to kill the system. I still look at the gauges both at start up and once and awhile going down the road or trail.. but the light and buzzer will let me know if the gauges need an immediate look.

http://www.superford.org/registry/users/208/144/dash1.jpg

Murphy guages.. The have an ignition cutout system built into them and are adjustable..

Originally posted by bronco78


Yes and no.. Gauges are great.. but do you drive down the road or trail looking at your oil pressure gauge? Of course not, you glance at it at start up, and if something were to sound funny. I built a warning system for low oil pressure and high water temp to go along with my gages. Really nothing more than a idiot light with a loud buzzer attached,,



Of course, I´d also wire in warning lights for the real critical stuff...

this is the dash i made for my FJ. It has everything that i think is nescesary.


http://www.auburnextremeracing.com/drivers/michael/guages.jpg