Ben R. Scott

Thanks to those 8 that responded to my last thread. It helped I have a new rebuilt Injector pump and lift pump. Do I need to put a fuel pressure guage in to watch my pressure. And what about a pyrometer is that neccessary?

1998 Dodge 24 valve 5.9 all stock no add ons. 5 speed

Shovelhead

A full time fuel pressure gauge is a must IMHO.
A PYRO to monitor EGTs is almost as essential, more so for someone who has enhanced the HP/TQ output and/or tows heavy loads frequently.

j-fox

A fuel pressure gauge will show you when the filter is plugging up too.
Since this design will run with zero pressure you NEED to know if it is getting pressure to lube it.

nkennedy

A good mechanical gauge is a must on a 98.5 to 02 Dodge/Cummins. It really should've come with one.

Midnite

I think both are absolute necessities on a 24 valve truck.

dodgeguy71

Buy ya a "Fuel Boss" from Richard and you won't need a fuel pressure gauge! Stinkin' stocker fuel pumps.

Keep the stocker and get the gauge that way while you drive down the highway you can pay more attention to the fuel gauge than the speedometer. Accelerate and watch it suck down when you need it and rise when you don't. Then after awhile when you least expect it the stocker will lay down on you putting you in a pinch because you can't drive your truck. Hopefully it won't wipe out another $1100 injection pump to boot.

Starting to loose my "fuel gauge eagle eye syndrome" thank goodness. Dodge put an intank pump on mine for warranty at 98k miles. At 148k miles I bought the Fuel Boss because the intank was barely hitting 2psi on the gauge and would not even support coming off idle in the driveway. Like they say, you can take a turd and polish it, clean it and shine it up real nice.....but you still have a turd. That is the intank electric fuel pump in a nutshell.

So, my original lasted 98k, the "Repair to make it right" lasted 40k...that's laughable. Good luck with the fuel pump brother! Every long trip I took was with some nerves going with me, scanning the fuel pressure every few miles. Glad that's gone, now I can relax and listen to the radio.

ironbutt

Just to chime in, yes on the fuel pressure and if you tow , yes on the pyrometer. If you dont tow then in most cases you don't need to know the exhaust temp. But for the 2nd gen 24 valve it needs a fuel pressure gauge just to be shure you maintain propper flow to th VP44.

ado2b1

Absolute on FP gauge. I've got a smarty and ottomind (whoopty-do) for programmers. Even on max pulling about 10k total, I've never had high EGT's to a point where it would be a problem, 1100 is about as high as I've had. My pyro works fine and is pre-turbo.

If you want a pyro, great, if not it shouldn't be a problem. It will be your most expensive gauge and you probably don't need it.

Dr. Evil

A pyrometer anbd boost gauge are cheap troubleshooting tools and cheap insurance compared to the price of an engine or even a turbo.

And as the others said, a fuel pressure guage is absolutely necessary.

PaulDaisy

I ran for a couple of years without a pyro. Having it is a nice thing, the price is not as great as the cost of replacing a blown head gasket or a molten piston. If you don't ever tow, you prolly don't need the pyro.
FP mechanical gauge is nearly free (can be had for $15 with the plumbing) and is a no brainer preventative measure to make sure you won't need another VP. Get one.
Boost is the least important of them all but is nice to have. This one is more of a gadget in my opinion but will tell you if your wastegate is open or turbo is not performing.

ClayBob

I agree with all above. FP a MUST, Pyro if you tow or plan on adding any HP, boost more for fun than anything.

Strong05

FP is a most on these trucks. I installed boost, EGT, and trans temp in my truck. I towed 10k cross country and EGT never got even close to the red. On a day to day basis I look at the boost the most it helps me see how much load is on the engine. When I towed heavy the trans temp was the most useful, but since you've got a manual I wouldnt' worry about any of these, unless you just want the warm fuzzy that everything is in the green or if you plan on bombing the truck.

Mike L

Hello All! I am finding this thread most useful as I have just started dieseling with my new to me truck. This whole diesel thing is pretty new to me. However, I do want to install the pyro and FP gages as soon as possible - I'm just a gages kinda guy! Also, we will be towing our 8,000lb trailer this summer and I want to keep an eye on things? Strong05, I assume that you have a gage pod on your truck since it looks like you have four gages? Can you post up some pictures of your gage set up?

Being in Canada, where everything seems to cost more - just 'cause we live here, I find the cost of a pyro gage really high. Does anyone have any suggestions on makers of economical yet worthy gages?

One more Q - Does my '99 not have a trans temp idiot light built in? I know that a gage is far superior to an idiot light - I just don't know how essential the trans temp gage is for right now on my list of priorities?

Thanks for any input y'all can offer up.

Cheers!

Mike

Strong05

I have the quadzilla recon. It's a digital gage that can monitor EGT, boost, trans temp or fuel pressure (but not both). For the money it was worth it to me, half as much as a conventional gage setup (plus super easy to install). For FP I have a autometer eletric FP gage on top of the column. Only problem with this setup is that it blocks the view of some of the idiot lights. You should have an idiot light for the trans temp, it should light up on start up as part of the system check. You'll have to search but I'm pretty sure once the light comes on yours trans is pretty much toast.

Brad

Edit: Actaully you have a 5 speed so I kind of doubt you have a trans temp indicator. I don't think manuals normally have any issues with over heating. If you go with the recon they have an option for getting the fuel pressure monitoring option instead of the trans temp option.

Dr. Evil

Mike for $40 - put in a boost guage. Its a cheap troubleshooting tool and will allow you to see what is happening with your turbo. You also should have a transmission temp guage if you are towing. Monitoring your vitals is imperative.

Check out Peak Diesel Performance in Vancouver.