This question goes out to all of you that have installed a pillar gauge pod can you tell me how you routed the wires that go from the gauges to where they are hooked in? I am about ready to purchase Carbon Fiber Triple Gauge Pillar Pod and before I do I really would like to hear and possibly see how everyone has routed there wires. Also have you gone with mechanical or electrical gauges and does all the wireing needed to install the gauges from Autometer come with the gauges? The 3 gauges I am going to install more than liely are Water Temp, Trans. Temp,and Volts. Alos does anyone know if the ultra lite gauges light up at night when you turn on the headlights or are they always lite? I want the ultra lites becasue of the white face with silver rim.

Thanks,
Richard

WHIEL YOUR HERE CHECK OUT MY GALLERY:
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=2479

 

First of all,

I drilled one hole in my A pillar that would be hidden by the gauge pod for all of the wires to pass through.

Run the wires down the A pillar and ( you can use a wire clothes hanger) and push/pull the wires behind the fuse panel box.

Depending on what fuse you "tap" into will decide when your lights come on. I wired all of mine right into my light switch so that when I turn my parking lights on, my indiglo gauges and my A pillar gauges light up.

I don't have a digital cam, or I would have taken pics.

Also, I have always used elec. gauges in all the vehicles I installed gauges in of my own so that I don't have the worry of lines bursting and fluids leaking in my cab.

Hope this helps!


Only one

 

HI!... I have 3 AUTO METER "MECHANICAL" gauges installed in my 3 way pillar pod. If your going to buy gauges, make sure you get "MECHANICAL". I've run both mechanical and electrical gauges and have had terrible luck with the "ELECTRICAL" ones. The electrical temp gauge are not very accurate. All the ones I've had (AUTO METER) have always been off as much as 20 degree's in some cases. As for "MECHANICAL" gauges running fluid into your driver's compartment. That is false. Only the oil pressure and fuel pressure gauges carry the ACTUAL fluid/oil to the gauge. All other "MECHANICAL" gauges use capillary tube from a sensor probe to the back of the gauge. The capillary tubing usually has ethier in it (a inert gas) that when heats up expands and move the gauge needle. For a OIL PRESSURE gauge, if you want to run it into the driver's compartment then be smart and us a S/S -3 braided line from the gauge to the probe. Only a complete moron would use the stock nylon tubing that comes with the AUTO METER gauge. Here's a few pics of where to tap into and some others of my installation. I drilled 3 1' holes in my "A" pillar tube to allow the capillary tubing and wiring to pass through.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...-793-60690.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-6948.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-6939.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-7160.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-7161.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...4-793-7162.jpg
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...-793-37332.jpg

 

Thanks Neal I knew I could count on you for some info. I see you have the LO-TEK pillar pod I know you have a 99 F-150 but since I have a 97 do you know if they are the same? Also does the Lo-TEK replace the stock A=pillar plastic piece or mount over the top of it? The picture you have of it on the tailgate looks just like my stock pillar form what I have been able to see. LO-TEK told me that the 98-up are not that same as the 97 F-150 and I am lost as to why that would be? Any ideas? From the picture you posted of the heater hose tap does that brass fitting come with the water temp gauge or is that extra?

Thanks,
Richard

 

HI!... Richard D : I can't see why the "97" would be different. My "99" never came with a driver's side grab handle so I would think yours would be the same as mine. YES the LO-TEK gauge pod totally replaces the factory "A" pillar interior trim peice. The sensor probe that comes with the AUTO METER "MECHANICAL" temp gauge is brass. The long brass tube you see in my pic above is a extension for the probe it'self. It is also a AUTO METER part. The brass "T" and two barb ends are from HOME DEPOT.

 

Neal if the " T " fitting does not come with the Autometer gauge how are you supose to install it in the manner you did yours? Is it supose to install somewhere else? What dept in HomeDepot did you get those fittings from and what sizes are they if you don't mind me asking?

Richard

 

So what fuse did you guys "tap" into?? I am going to put a volt gauge in and I need to tap into a fuse for a switched source and then also the dimmer switch for lighting the gauge. What wire do I tap into for the dimmer switch to power the gauges light???