Can you put gauges on stock, like if you don't have a computer or anything after market stuff yet, can you put a boost gauge in or a exhaust temp gauge? I know this is stupid, but I have just recently bought my truck and its the first diesel I have had, so I am trying to learn all about it. I notice alot of people ask if others have gauges, but I wasn't sure if you could put them on stock. Thanks.

 

Yes, gauges are always a good idea, especially if you intend on bombing in the future.

 

Any idea where I can get a pod pillar for the gauges that includes the spot for the tweeter?

 

I got mine from http://www.dieselperformanceparts.com/ and it has a spot for the tweeter. First thing I did was put gauges in mine, it eneded up saving my tranny the first time I towed. By the gauge I could see the tranny was getting hot and checked the fluid level, which was low. Money well spent!

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I am probalby going to be getting my gauges soon, don't want to wad anything, can't afford it. Thanks again.

 

No such thing as a stupid question when you dont know the answere!

 

I've had my gauges for a year and a half and I'm still stock fueling wise.

Even stock I've pushed pretty close to meltdown temps on both the engine and the transmission.
Without the gauges, I'd have never known to back down and I'd be out a large chunk of change.
Also good to get a baseline on the stock truck before adding power, so you can see what you've gained.

Don't forget the fuel pressure guage, the VP44 you're protecting is probably the most expensive single component of the engine.


phox

 

If its a stupid question.... we'll tell ya!

Like Phox said, make sure the first guage you put in is a fuel pressure guage. Tons of threads as to why.

 

The only stupid guestion is the one not asked.

 

What gauges should I go with, I was thinking about getting a 3 pod pillar and I know I want the Fuel Pressure gauge, and I was thinking the boost, but should I go with the exhaust temp gauge or the transmission temp gauge, not sure which would be the better route, I have a 5spd so I am not as worried about the transmission, as if it were an automatic. Any opions would be greatly appreciated. My brother-in-law has just a boost gauge and an exhaust temp gauge, so I am not sure which root to go.

 

FUEL, PYRO and BOOST should do it, bieng you have a 5sd. Fill out your sig!

 

For you with the 5 spd, I would get the EGT, Boost, and FP.

 

Thanks for the input..thats what I was also thinking, just wanted some input from some pro's. I do have my sig filled out, but it only shows up once in each thread, and i posted first so its only in the top one.

 

As these guys mentioned, get the boost, egt, and FP gauges......skip the tranny temp gauge - it won't do you much good with the 5 spd. While monitoring LP pressures are important, by far the most important gauge is the egt gauge - especially when starting your bombing.

Here is a pic of my Autometer triple pillar pod w/ tweeter and boost, egt and FP gauges.

 

That looks good. What should fuel pressure run? Is there a certain psi i should be and how low is bad?