Diesel Gauges

[Secguru]

I have a red 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Laramie Crew Cab "The Tomato" that gets wonderful fuel economy. I tow a 1998 34' Airstream.

I want to equip the Tomato with a full set of gauges (3) on the A-Frame Pillar. I'm thinking about:
- Transmission Temp
- Exhaust Temp
- A third gauge to be determined

What gauge would you recommend for the third?

[FLMarine]

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 and have have the Issopro gauges for 5 years. I have Exhaust Temp, Turbo Boost, and Transmission Temp. I'd recommend getting the Turbo Boost because you're able to see how much boost you're using aka more boost means more fuel being used. You're also able to see if something is not working right such as there isn't enough boost.

I have my gauges mounted below the air conditioning controls and I like how they don't take up any more of my line of sight which is bad enough with the A pillar as it is. I'll post some pictures of my gauges this afternoon. One other good thing about the Issopro gauges is that they are matched to the background of the Dodges instrument panel.

[Secguru]

FLMarine I'm very interested in seeing a photo of your gauge setup. I looked at the ISSOPRO Website. I assume you are talking about the EV2 Gauges. The idea sounds good.

I was also thinking about Boost being the third gauge and I share your concern about the A-Pillar visibility, but I didn't know where else to mount them so that they would look good.

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm looking forward to seeing the pix.

[blacksheep]

A boost gauge would be good but I would recommend a fuel pressure gauge tapped in between the last filter and the injection pump. I also highly recommend a 2 micron filter on a remote filter head after the factory filter. Bosch recommends less than 3 microns for the injectors and no one makes a 3 mic for the factory fuel filter. My fuel psi gauge is tapped into the "out" port of the remote filter head. This gauge will tell you when the filter is getting plugged and needs changed.

Godspeed,
Trent

[FLMarine]

Here's the only one I have right now, I'm actually picking up my truck from getting the air conditioning fixed and will take another pic this afternoon.

[thecatsandi]

Direct Read Oil Temp or Direct read Oil Pressure.

[Mike Leary]

Excellent gauges! We have all the AS originals replaced with them.

www.isspro.com

[crispyboy]

You may want to check out Edge Insight. They have a single digital gauge that does much more monitoring.
Autometer makes some gauges that match the factory Dodge gauges.
I would be mostly concerned with Exhaust Temp, Trans temp and boost.

[wasagachris]

Secguru my old TV a 1995 Ford f-350 crew cab dually diesel had the a pillar triple guage setup. I never found that it was a problem seeing around them. The three guages were:
1) Trans Oil Temp
2) Exhaust Temp
3) Turbo Boost Pressure
Here is a picture of them.

[slowmover]

I don't like the pillar gauge mounts on a Dodge. They interfere -- widening an already wide A-pillar.

The first two gauges I would have would be:

Pyrometer
Manifold Pressure

The combination is best for determining overall economy of operation (fuel burn), and the info needed to stay out of bad situations.

After that:

Transmission (auto)
Fuel Pressure

to also stay out of trouble.


FYI, best fuel economy can be read by the 600-60-6 rule:

600F (or lower)
60-mph (or lower)
6-psi (or lower)

when you want to run the farthest.

Pulling your trailer will generate somewhat different numbers, so make some records, IMO, and do comparisons.

I had quite a time recently making it from Laredo to Corpus Christi in a 30-mph headwind (gusts past 40) in a 1T and 40' gooseneck, and was speed varying the truck depending on the angle to the wind (road curves) to help offset "driving 85-90 mph". Just made it to a station that accepted a big truck fuel card. The gauges were a help in seeing how the truck was maintaining speed.

.

[FLMarine]

More pictures. The gauge mount is an autometer, I forget what model but it's unpainted and looks stock.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

You may want to check out Edge Insight.

How about some links when you guys suggest stuff?

[slowmover]

EDGE Insight

These things only appear expensive compared to standard gauges until one totes up the final cost. Not to mention mounting space.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by REDNAX

These things only appear expensive compared to standard gauges until one totes up the final cost. Not to mention mounting space.

NO gauge is too expensive if it tells you what's happening before the fun begins. Thanks for the link.

[Bambi_Bandit]

I'm also for the Edge Insight. See my postings below:

Diesel Monitor / Gauges ?? - Airstream Forums

I'm just not sure if you need to have a pyrometer installed or not with your Cummings.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

NO gauge is too expensive if it tells you what's happening before the fun begins. Thanks for the link.

Yes, your'e welcome, and I should have clarified by stating that aftermarket gauges are more expensive than they appear once installed, so the EDGE piece is not really so $$$.

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

I'm just not sure if you need to have a pyrometer installed or not with your Cummings.

Pyrometers have a habit of burning out, once you know what the boost gauge is reading when the pyro is reading 1200 degrees, you really don't need another pyro.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by Secguru

I have a red 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Laramie Crew Cab "The Tomato" that gets wonderful fuel economy. I tow a 1998 34' Airstream.

I want to equip the Tomato with a full set of gauges (3) on the A-Frame Pillar. I'm thinking about:
- Transmission Temp
- Exhaust Temp
- A third gauge to be determined

What gauge would you recommend for the third?

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

How about some links when you guys suggest stuff?

Auto Meter - Gauges
I personally have: Oil pressure, Oil Temp, Trans Temp, Pyrometer, Air Pressure for air compressor and Altimeter.

[Smartstream]

Just a few thoughts.

The gauge mount at the bottom of the dash looks nice but is way too far from my line of sight to keep an eye on. I have the A-post mount on my Dodge and never felt it limited my vision and it's very easy to keep an eye on things.

The boost and fuel pressure are nice information but the gauge that really tells you how hard a diesel is working is the exhaust temp. When you are doing the heavy work in the hills, the pyro will tell you when you have too much boot leather flowing through those injectors.

Cheers, Dan

[Secguru]

Hey Thanks for all the great suggestions!

My priorities on gauges are:

- Protect the Tomato!! (I want to get 20 years out of this truck)
...... Exhaust Temp
...... Transmission Temp
...... Engine Oil Temp

- Fuel Economy
..... Boost

- Convenience
..... Altimeter, etc.

I think I'll go with the A-Pillar (in the normal line of sight). Also the 2006 Dodge has a different console making the console mount more difficult. If I use more than 3 gauges, I'll mount on the dash.

I see the attraction of the Edge concept, but somehow I like dial gauges better from a long-term reliability standpoint (call me old fashioned and give me a corn-cob)

I work overseas so I line up my projects for twice a year when I get home. This one is now in the queue.

You guys are great!