I did a search and I am now more confused. Im sure that you guys are tired of this subject, but I have a couple ?'s

What is the differ pro/cons of elec. vs. mech. What are most of you running?

What about size? I have noticed while looking at pods that most dont list the size qauge. Is 2 1/16 the most common?

I am going to go with a dual pod with a boost and either oil pres. or h20 temp. I really dont want to spend the extra money on the neon lighting (like our dashes). I think I will just try white face gauges with a green bulb cover. I ahve seen a couple write ups on that. Matching our dash exactly is not that important to me.

Any suggestion here?!?!

Thanks

 

Check this page out.

http://www.timskelton.com/lightning/.../gauge_pod.htm

If you scroll down it talks about his gauge selection and everything. I'm thinking of doing something similar to him.

Most people go with Autometer Lunar gauges. They match the factory lighting pretty well. I just don't like it that all of their lunar gauges are not full sweep :-(. If you want something really cool, go with Defi gagues.

 

Electric

2 1/16

Lunar gauges, that match the dash - I highly recommend spending the extra cash for these.

I run fuel pres. and s/c boost. They were recommended as the key two to have for my application. Both on a dual painted pod.

I am very happy with them, purchased and installed at REM.

D-Day

 

The Lunars aren't a bad match to the dash lighting but I've seen the Phantoms and they match well also (but since the Lunars are electroluminescent like the dash they are evenly lit across the gauge face...unlike the Phantoms where the light 'bleeds' in from the edges of the gauge). One other drawback to the Lunars is the fact they will flicker if they don't get enough power (mine are wired to the blue/red striped wire that controls the dash brightness and I have to turn the dash all the way up to keep them from flickering). If I had it to do all over again I would probably go with the Phantoms...take that for what you will.

I've got mechanical boost, water temp and oil pressure gauges and the full-sweep electric fuel pressure gauge. Lots of people avoid mecanical gauges because routing the lines is more difficult and some folks are **** about running fluids into the cab of the truck. The water temp gauge uses a capillary tube, so there are no actual fluids run inside the truck with that one. The oil pressure gauge does run oil inside the cab but teflon tape and a decent braided stainless line (I've got the Autometer -3AN line) should negate any worry of leaking oil. I would never run a mechanical fuel pressure gauge inside the cab and I believe it is illegal in most states and with most sanctioning bodies (NHRA, etc.). You could use an isolater with the mechanical fuel pressure gauge but why. I went with the mechanicals because they are all full-sweep gauges and the fuel pressure gauge is too...I didn't want to mix and match full-sweep with regular 180-degree (more like 120-degrees actually) sweep electric gauges.

Check this thread for my install saga...

Gauge Install

I've got quite a few more pictures if you'd like to see them...just let me know. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about my particular gauges or the install if you would like.

Dan

 

Go with the Autometer Phantom guages. Get a mechanical boost gauge, about $50 from Summitt, and get an electric feul pressure guage, about $190 from Summitt. They also carry the right guage pod. Oh, the size I think most L owners get is the 2 1/16 size guages. the 2 5/8 size guages are just too big... Don't go with an oil pressure guage or a water temp guage, you already have those in your guage cluster and they're accurate enough for street driving and some minor track use. The stock boost guage is definitely lacking accuracy. And since a mechanical boost guage is relatively inexpensive, at about $50 as mentioned above, it makes sense to get a good aftermarket one. Good luck!!!!!

 

Ok guys- Thanks for your input and help. I am beginning my Gauge journey" now. Thanks for the offers of help. Im sure I will be back in touch with a question or two.

Thanks