[GreenQuest Lawn]

After replacing the tranny this year I thought it may be a good investment to get a temp gauge. Any suggestions on what I should get? I am sure I will have a tranny shop install it.

I have a 2000 F250SD 5.4l V8

 

[wyldman]

I personally like the Autometer stuff,but some of it can be pretty pricey.

Try to find something that matches the factory gauges.

Try this place,they have a lot of good Ford stuff,including a large selection of gauges.Customers service and support is top notch too.

Geno's Garage

 

[EZSnow]

While on the subject of gauges... I think I'm gonna hijack this one!

With as much attention we pay to making sure our electrical systems are up to snuff... my truck doesn't have a battery gauge. It's been replaced by a useless 'idiot needle' for trans temp. I plan on adding boost, pyro and trans. temp, but I think it would also be prudent to add a voltmeter. Is having a voltmeter critical enough that I should add it right away? Or should I just add it when I do the rest... next summer sometime. This also begs the question of how to mount them. Triples are cool for the standard diesel three, but adding volts throws in a curve.

Have any of you seen the quad a-pillar mounts? I can't find any pics of them. If the general consensus is that a voltmeter is an immediate necessity, I may do a steering-column pod, then add the triples later.

wadddya think?

BTW- I'm going carbon fiber auto meter (I know, I know- [insert puking smilie]) but my truck has some "carbon-faker" in it from the factory, so it will co-ordinate nicely.

 

[Dockboy]

EZSnow,

IMO a volt meter is not critical, but would be nice to have. Mine has the volt meter in the dash, but I don't necessarily watch it that much:beatsme

I use SPA Technique gauges and love them

I never liked 3 gauge pillars because the top gauge is right in your sight line:nope With the SPA's, you get 2 gauges in one

If you wanted a Volt Meter, you could get a Boost/EGT gauge and a Temp/Volt gauge and use the Temp side for the tranny

Here is a pic of mine. The tranny and Rear temps are so cold because I just started the truck

 

[Dockboy]

another

 

[Satz28]

That's a nice set-up! MMMMM. How can I talk, I mean convince my better half that those are a "must have" item for my truck. When you have two toys, decsions like this are tough.

 

[Satz28]

Darn three minute edit times.
Whose 2-gauge pod, are they installed? And did you add the red lights?

 

[Dockboy]

Rob,

It an Auto-meter 2 gauge pod and I painted it to match the interior.

The red things are actually buttons, not lights.

The gauges are programmable. You can set warning limits so the lights above and below the gauge description come on when the set limits are reached by using the button. They also hold the peak values and can be recalled by pushing the button

 

[EZSnow]

nice setup, greg- but I'm not a digital kind of man... especially not for gauges. I love the sweeping motion of a tach or speedo, and I'm guessing the sweep of a boost gauge will have a similar effect on me
Thanks for the info
-Derek

 

[Pickering Snow]

ditto

Well iam glad to see someone else who doesnt care for the new ford dash like you said 03 they replace the voltmeter with trans temp lets see if i had to choose mmmmmmmmmm no biggy i want my dam volt meter its to late fellows when the batt symbol starts glowing, its important to know were the charging system is when plowing , not one of fords better ideas i like just having the trans temp warning light that was plenty.

Greg would be great if you could send me the info on that pod for SDs i have to gauges i want to add i love that look and fyi to everyone you dont have to use dig anolog will fitt in that same pod setup .

i want a hour meter and a volt meter in my pod

 

[Dockboy]

Fred,

You can pick up 2 Gauge Full Pillar pods at just about any performance shop

But if you want go here to Performance Truck Products . The pods are at the bottom of the page. A friend of mine, Nate Dwyer, owns the business so tell him Greg DaPron sent you. He may give you a deal:grinz

 

[EZSnow]

I mis-communicated. I like the idea of four functions in two pods, but I just prefer an analog needle. It's easier to notice out-of-the-ordinary readings at a glance with a needle. Seen any NASCARs with digital gauges lately? Anyway, I understand what you mean about visibility, too. Makes sense either way. I'm just trying to decide between a column pod now and a triple later or just a quad later. Who sells a nice quad pod... now say it fast- quadpod.. hehe... sorry- it's snowing. I'm a little wired

Fred, you still have an idiot light for your transmission temperature... it just has a needle on it now!!!

 

[Dockboy]

It's easier to notice out-of-the-ordinary readings at a glance with a needle. Seen any NASCARs with digital gauges lately?

No, but REAL race cars(Formula 1), have nothing but digital gauges with warning lights:beatsme :grinz :jk

IMO it's actually easier to see the "out-of-the-ordinary" readings with the SPA's because you can set warning limits to your preference and a warning light starts flashing when that limit is reached that you can't miss!! Just like the shifting and tach lights on a F1 or World Rally car.

I know what you mean though Derek about a sweeping boost gauge:grinz

What it all boils down to is..........That's why there is Chocolate and Vanilla!!:shades

 

[CPSS]

I use the ISSPro gauges ISSPro I like the analog look rather than the digital.

 

[Big Nate's Plowing]

you guys overcomplacate things, hell in the bronco all I had was a 5" autometer monster tach and a oil pressure gauge, it was all I ever needed, just drive with the flow of traffic.....


LOL

 

[CPSS]

Well, in our F-250's the tranny temp is something important to watch. I've seen temps of over 190 degrees while plowing in real cold weather. Tranny oil breaks down rapidly above 200 degrees. If you reguarly see temps above 170 degrees, the oil should be changed every year.

 

[JohnnyU]

A little off-topic: Greg, where did you find paint to match your interior? I haven't been able to fnd the blue to match my truck's interior. All I can find is the metallic stuff for the body color.

 

[Dockboy]

John,

Believe it or not....... Walmart!!!!!

They have a large selection of interior spray paint in the automotive section

Besides, it was only something like $2.98...Ford wanted $17.95 for a small can!!

 

[JohnnyU]

Thanks Greg!!

Wow, that's awesome. If I wasn't so beat, I'd go right now, since they're open 24hours!!! They recently opened up a new SuperCenter, it's very clean, I now like going to Wal-Mart!!

 

[seville009]

What's an acceptable max temp for transmission fluid before it's considered to be too hot and about to cause damage?

I had a transmission temp gauge installed in my 1999 Ford Expedition this year; normal operating temp seems to be in the 160-170 range. I have the EOD, 5.4l V8 with 3.55 axle.

Even when plowing (usually not long - 15 to 20 minutes), the temp stays in that range.

However, when I'm done plowing and head out on the road, the temp will usually jump up to the 200-220 range. It will sometimes take awhile (10 minutes or so) so come back down, but it will fluctuate in the process (ie: move down to about 190 then back up to 220).

Last week, I started it after it had sat about five hours, drove for about a mile, shut it off to run an errand, came back and started driving (not plowing). The gauge shot right up to about 220 and stayed there for about 10 minutes. That seemed odd, as the engine, etc. was basically still cold.

I do have an auxilliary transmission cooler (from the factory, as it has the towing package).

The transmission was serviced by a transmission shop about 1,400 miles ago; they were the ones that installed the gauge. They put in synthetic fluid and replaced the filter.

Is this temperature swing normal or does it indicate that something is going to go wrong? Shifts and runs fine; no strange noises.

Thanks.