what is the best electronic fuel pressure guage to buy and where is the best place to get it? its going on a 2004 5.9L with a 6speed crew cab 2wd, I want an electronic so i dont have to use an isolator. thanks guys

 

I am having the Autometer version installed next week. You can get good prices on gauges at www.dieselmanor.com

 

you do not have to use an isolator no trucks or heavy equipment with factory installed fuel pressure gauges since early 1900's has isolators , the electric has a high failure rate i think because the pump pulsations are tearing the transducers up i am running two quad 's i added a 18" grease gun hose and a snubber on the transducer i think this will solve the problem

 

i have had numerous problems over the last two years with the autometer and isspro electric fuel pressure gauges- getting ready to go with the new isspro proformax series- should solve the problem-according to isspro.

 

is there any other brands that are a little better? my understanding is a mech guage cant go inside the truck just incase it leaks. and i want the guage where i can see it. has anyone used the DiPricol OPTIX SERIES?

 

I am in the process of installing a Westach Fuel Pressure gauge in my '06. I purchased this and a dual gauge from Geno's Garage. The FP gauge will be mounted on the steering column. It comes with a sending unit that will be connected by a grease gun hose to a banjo bolt on the bottom of the fuel filter. (Geno's forgot the banjo bolt) The grease gun hose protects the electronics from vibration. No fuel in the cab.

 

I have had the autometer ultra-lite II for over a year now and no complaints about it.

 

I have been very happy with my SPA Technique gauges. They are more expensive but they can do quite a bit. They are dual gauges, digital, extremely accurate, user programmable, warning lights, backlight adjustable. Max recall, you can adjust the sampling rate etc. They can even drive other functions ie trigger an external function. I have had no problems with any of the sensors. Been on the truck for over 6 years and 200k.
http://www.spatechnique.com/product_...dualgauges.asp

 

wildcard like i said not having fuel in the cab is bs there is at least a 1,000,000 trucks and tractors with with fuel to the gauge in use now

 

those SPA Technique gauges look real nice but they are pricey.

 

Wildcard:
I didnt look at the prices when I posted up the link. I just took a look. They have definitely gone up since I bought mine years ago. They were fairly expensive before but not that bad considering they were duals now they are bordering outrageous. Wonder if it has to do with the weak dollar since they are from the UK. I dont believe I would be ponying up for them today at those prices.

 

ya im having a hard time deciding what one i want, maybee an autometer

 

I have the autometer, and though it hasn't broken yet, the performance has me guessing. I called autometer about the gauge and they weren't the most helpful on the phone.

 

can you guys explain the ups and downs of the mech and electric guages

 

The mechanical has the drawback of running a bigger line into the cab whether it be with diesel fuel straight to the gauge or with an isolator and glycol into the cab. I dont think either one is a big deal. Though it would be a drag if the line broke for some reason and you had diesel leaking inside the cab. I have not ever heard of that happening though.

Electrical has the advantage of only having to run a couple wires going into the cab but the senders can be an issue due to the pulsations of the vp44 (at least on 2nd gen trucks). Many get around that with a snubber or needle valve. Also some use those on mechanical as well since some seem to bounce without them. Electrical you can use a digital gauge which can come with other features such as low or high warning lights, adjustable backlights, max recall(or in the case of the SPA's many other options/features). I think electrical is more accurate and quicker reacting though the quickness probably does not mean that much as not many people sit there and stare at the gauge. The accuracy is also probably not a big deal because in general you are not concerned with tenths of, or a lb of pressure in this application.

There are more pros and cons of each that I have neglected or am unaware of and someone else will probably post them up.