fisherman : Gauges

Gauges
Post by fisherman on Jul 29, 2006, 12:25am

For you 12 volt guys. I need to start thinking about gauges. Will be running a custom 12 volt harness or maybe a painless harness. I would like something that looks military and that would hopefully fit in all the factory holes. Any ideas or gauges anyone has used that look good. I just want something that will go with the truck and be functional with out having to do some custom dash layout. KISS keep it simple stupid is what I'm looking for. Fisherman

Re: Gauges
Post by luckypabst on Jul 29, 2006, 12:43am

Stewart-Warner Deluxe Series are as close as you'll get to original appearing. They still use the same gage faces and the only visual difference is the chrome bezel vs. the 715 OD bezel.

Chris

Re: Gauges
Post by tacomainoh on Jul 29, 2006, 2:06am

Lee Alessi used some Datcon gauges that ROCK, and btw Datcon is an OEM supplier for military eqpt. Saw some of their gauges on a generator out in the field. They're pretty cheap too.

Re: Gauges
Post by beast on Jul 29, 2006, 8:47am

I used VDO series 1 gauges in mine. They are black faced with white numbers and indicators. Just need to paint the chrome bezels OD.

Re: Gauges
Post by snuffy on Jul 29, 2006, 9:00am

Note on the Stewart Warner guages:

It is possible to buy the red LEDs to go inside the guages. Was sniffing out some info ran across it... didn't seem like it was a big deal to put them in.

Re: Gauges
Post by fasteddie on Jul 29, 2006, 3:54pm

installed Sunpro 2" gauges and sending unit for fuel tank, black face ,white numbers , fit in oringinal holes . rather inexpensive . Used VDO series 1 for the tach . about the bulbs , used the wifes craft glass spray on regular bulbs , it's held up for a year now . Summit racing had the gauges .

Re: Gauges
Post by bluesman2a on Jul 30, 2006, 3:52am

I went with VDO... Both the kok-pit and Vision series have black bezels with black faces (yes it's mis-spelled, but the dirty word filter kicks in with the correct spelling) . Finally got mine wired up this evening and MAN they look COOL... I went the extra step and used the red filters included for the lights for that ultra tactical look.

Here's an example:
http://www.sjmembers.com/gallery/alb...0466.sized.jpg

Re: Gauges
Post by beast on Jul 30, 2006, 8:36am

Yep, I also used the red filters that they send with them so that it looks more traditional army at night.

Re: Gauges
Post by bbm715 on Jul 30, 2006, 12:50pm

http://www.datcon.com/products/2illuma.htm

Still toying with what I'm going to do although I picked up a spreaming deal on a VDO speedo this spring off Ebay. Think I'd have to install a booster rocket to use the whole 160mph though!!! I'd rather a 120mph guage so that 60 would be about straight up but 80 is cool too.

Re: Gauges
Post by fisherman on Jul 30, 2006, 2:28pm

Thanks I appreciate all the input and information. Looks like I have several choices, will do a little more looking and reasearch before I decide as I am a little ways off yet from needing guages, just trying to think ahead so it will be a straight forward install. Fisherman

Re: Gauges
Post by bluesman2a on Jul 30, 2006, 2:35pm

Another plus for the VDO is that they use an electronic sender, so you can calibrate it to your truck/tire/gearing for accurate MPH readings... Change tires and just recalibrate...

Re: Gauges
Post by over2land on Jul 30, 2006, 6:59pm

I used the Autometer Z series.

I wanted a clock, and that was the black faced way to get it. The bezels are a flat black too.

My speedo had to be a Sport Comp Series, for the black face and for an electronic speedo. It was cheaper for me to get the sending unit than to get a hold of a cable long enough.

And, the AF meter was Autometer, but I put in an AEM wide band setup for better metering. Don't like the depth of the bezel though.

Actually, the depth of the autometers is too deep to, the bezel obscures some of the gauge from my seating position. However, my seating position is about 2 inches higher than stock.

All gauges are electric. And, I've still got a stock gas tank, with an aftermarket 0-90 ohm chevy sender in the tank, which matches my gauge.

http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL320.../172737628.jpg

Edit: Oh yeah, I wish I'd gone with a full sweep gauge set instead of the cheaper setup I have. For example, my water temp gauge has 180-210-250 as the markings, with one tab between each. I'm ok with the engine running 210 or 220... but 230-250 starts getting me worried. Problem with my gauge is anything over 210 is basically guesswork. I'd much rather something like this:

http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugede...id=3510&sid=59

Re: Gauges
Post by twodogs on Jul 30, 2006, 7:05pm

Yeah Bluesman, I have trouble visualizing a "thingy-pit".

Anyway,....Fisherman:

I have dealt with these guys to find some strange, esoteric Mercedes stuff (metric) and their prices are a bit hefty, but they have about the best selection on the web.

http://www.egauges.com/

So cheat - Figger out what you want by looking at their extensive selection, with great illustrations, and then go price shopping.

They were purty knowledgeable about ohm ratings on sending units, and treated me well when I spoke to them.
I guess you get what you pay for.....

Good hunting,
Two Dogs