AutoMeter Gauges--Which ones to get?

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 24, 2004

#1

• Aug 24, 2004

• #1

I am in need of some gauges as I'm getting tired of my factory oil pressure gauge jumping around and my temp. gauge not really showing a true temp. I have been looking through summit at all the gauges and don't know which to get. I am looking at either the 2 5/8 Electrical Phantom gauges or the Ultra Lite electrical gauges... both water temps are 45-50 bucks, and the oil pressure gauges at 55-60 bucks. I plan on buying the Ford Racing vent mounted gauge pod, as I have heard this one is better quality than the autometer one. Does this sound like a good set up? Are these gauges illuminated, or would I have to get more expensive gauges to get illuminated ones?

 

D

Daggar

New Member

Jul 19, 2004

3,902

5

0

Aug 24, 2004

#2

• Aug 24, 2004

• #2

If you're going to replace 2 of the 4 stock guages then why not go the whole way? Checkout http://www.florida50.com/

I like the look of the whole setup and think that it's the direction I'm gonna go.

 

88hatchblack

New Member

Jul 25, 2004

163

0

0

Willard, Ohio

Aug 24, 2004

#3

• Aug 24, 2004

• #3

I personally like the ultra-lite guages. i'm pretty sure they should be lighted, but i'm not 100% sure. i would tie the lighting for the guages into the small light in the console near the cigarette lighter so the guage lights come on when you turn on your lights, and they will dim with the interior light dimmer as well.

 

LASTFOX

Member

Jul 21, 2003

105

0

16

RI

Aug 24, 2004

#4

• Aug 24, 2004

• #4

I have the Phantom Gauges (Elec. Air/Fuel Ratio, Elec Fuel Pressure, Mech Boost/Vac). The Fuel and Boost Gauges are illuminated, and you can choose them to light up RED or GREEN. Mine are mounted on my Drivers A-Pillar versus the vent...I like my A/C blowing right in my face! But, its up to you. The Ultra Lites, I believe are more expensive, not sure. But, I do like the look of the Phantoms!
BTW...I purchased the Ford Racing A-Pillar Mount and the only difference was it says "Ford Racing" on in and its visible through the windshield...it was like $30 bucks more! O yeah, in the instructions it had Autometers address at the bottom! Go figure!

 

FrdMustangCpe

New Member

May 27, 2004

493

0

0

Sin City, NV

Aug 24, 2004

#5

• Aug 24, 2004

• #5

i bought two ultra-lites and a pillar pod 2 weeks ago. they do come with lighting and bulb covers. on mine the ring lights up green at night.

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 24, 2004

#6

• Aug 24, 2004

• #6

Did you all go with 2 1/16 gauges or 2 5/8? Just curious because the vent mount is for 2 5/8. I figured this was the easiest install so I would go with the vent mount. How does the a-pillar pod mount? Do you have to drill holes or anything? Or does it just slip on over the existing a-pillar plastic deal?

 

X

xplo89gt

Founding Member

Jul 14, 1999

945

0

16

Boston, MA

Aug 24, 2004

#7

• Aug 24, 2004

• #7

I just finished this install a few weeks ago. I got the ultra lite oil pressure and water temp. Mine light up white (like a regular bulb). Looks good at night. I got the 2 5/8 and mounted them in the center vent. Oh and yes they are electrical.

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 24, 2004

#8

• Aug 24, 2004

• #8

Which vent mount did you use? The autometer or ford? I had read the autometer one was cheap and flimsy metal and not to get that one. The ford one is a little more expensive but have read it's a stronger piece.

 

X

xplo89gt

Founding Member

Jul 14, 1999

945

0

16

Boston, MA

Aug 24, 2004

#9

• Aug 24, 2004

• #9

I got the autometer. Worked good enough for me. Haven't heard much about the ford one. Actually I didnt know there was one.

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 24, 2004

#10

• Aug 24, 2004

• #10

I found the Ford one at 50resto. Someone in another post said to get the saleen vent mount or something like that... I assume the Ford Racing one at 50resto is what they're talking about. I guess if I order it and it's a POS I can always return it.

 

stang976

New Member

Apr 13, 2004

853

0

0

Westchester, NY

Aug 24, 2004

#11

• Aug 24, 2004

• #11

i like the autometer "cobalt" series gauges myself

 

Kevin R.

New Member

Jun 3, 2004

473

0

0

Ohio

Aug 24, 2004

#12

• Aug 24, 2004

• #12

like the autometer "cobalt" series gauges myself

Click to expand...

For 150$ a gauge I'll stick with my Ultra-Lites.

 

bluevenom867

I will have images of molesting stuffed animals in

Dec 15, 2003

1,704

1

0

St.Petersburg,FL

Aug 24, 2004

#13

• Aug 24, 2004

• #13

Yeah Ultra-lites are the way-to-go.
I got them on the inside and Phantome gauges on the outside for my nitrous/fuel.
The Cobalt series are nice but, like
Kevin R. said, expensive.

 

J

jerry beach

Founding Member

May 20, 2002

2,671

0

46

Ocala,FL

Aug 24, 2004

#14

• Aug 24, 2004

• #14

Daggar said:

If you're going to replace 2 of the 4 stock guages then why not go the whole way? Checkout http://www.florida50.com/

I like the look of the whole setup and think that it's the direction I'm gonna go.

Click to expand...

That is a very nice setup, but I think its about $600. That is alot more than most are willing to spend on guages. I have autometer a-pillar mounted oil pres. and water temp. I just use the factory guages for everything else.

 

bmorrisj

Member

Sep 26, 2003

449

0

17

Buena Park, CA

Aug 24, 2004

#15

• Aug 24, 2004

• #15

i love my setup, i just have sportcomp gauges, elec. oil and volt meter, and a mech vac and water gauge

 

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bluevenom867

I will have images of molesting stuffed animals in

Dec 15, 2003

1,704

1

0

St.Petersburg,FL

Aug 24, 2004

#16

• Aug 24, 2004

• #16

Red M&M, Blue M&M, They all come out the same color in the end.
All guages do the same thing get what you like.

 

9

92Patrol5.0

Founding Member

Sep 20, 1999

1,076

1

38

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Aug 24, 2004

#17

• Aug 24, 2004

• #17

One last question... is there anything else I need to order with the gauges? I know I'll need to get some wire to hook everything up, but I can get that locally. Is there anything else I need to order? I'm getting the Ford vent mount from 5.0resto and the ultra lite gauges from summit.. Anything else I need to order?

 

FrdMustangCpe

New Member

May 27, 2004

493

0

0

Sin City, NV

Aug 24, 2004

#18

• Aug 24, 2004

• #18

you prolly want to get a inline fuse for the 12v. also some of those connectors so you can tap into wires. such as the 12v and even the ground. also some ring type connectors. napa will have all that though.

 

LASTFOX

Member

Jul 21, 2003

105

0

16

RI

Aug 25, 2004

#19

• Aug 25, 2004

• #19

I wired my 3 gauges and shift lights Ignition 12V+ power through a Bosch Relay. This takes the load required to run all four things off of just my Radio fuse. But with only two more 12v+ req. to run your guages you may be able to get one of those piggyback fuseblock adapters. But the best way is to wire a relay in, that way only a small amount of current is required to trigger the relay. If you need some type of schematic look here, these are often used in aux. fog lamp or multiple car stereo turn ons:
http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/bosch/foglites.htm

Pin 87: to power wires on gauges(fuse each individually)
Pin 86: to Ground of Vehicle
Pin 30: Directly to Car Battery 12v+(Fuse within 6 inches of Batt Terminal. Use a Fuse Rating equal to the total of fuses of all gauges)
Pin 85: to Switched 12v+(like your car radio - turns on with ignition only).

 

9

90pony302

New Member

Mar 16, 2004

65

0

0

southern illinois

Aug 25, 2004

#20

• Aug 25, 2004

• #20

what do you guys think is more reliable or which one do you think works better? electrical guages or mechanical guages.