Adding Gauges
 

We are looking at adding some gauges to our 96 4Runner to better monitor the engine. I'm interested in hearing (and seeing) how you all have mounted them and what gauges you chose.

Thanks in advance

I was thinking about the sames thing. I want to add a Oil presure gauge and a volt gauge, maybe trans temp. They sell gauge pods on ebay that go on your A Pillar. Anyone have any experiances?

My friend added 3 2" round gauges on the pass side under the airbag. Looks really cool, but you have to cut up your dash.

I have also seen gauges in the glovebox...seems kinda out of the way for me.

Here is

i think a cool spot to mount some gauges would be in the lower din slot below the radio. it's just an idea, dont know if they make any gauges that are small enough to fit there.

Gadget is the gauge master:
http://www.gadgetonline.com/Gauges.htm

Here's another idea:
http://thumb7.webshots.net/t/59/159/...7ciNNgv_th.jpg

Its a Perrin gauge pod. http://motors.search.ebay.com/Perrin...W0QQsacatZ6028

There are such things as DIN face plates (e.g., on eBay) which are intended to allow you to install 2 or 3 52mm (2 1/16") gauges in a DIN slot. This can be tricky, because fitting 52mm gauges in a single DIN opening is tight. The usual hassle isn't the gauge per se - it's the bezel / rim around the gauge.

One thing to bear in mind is that 'DIN sizing' is not as precise as one would hope. What with trim, bezels, etc., you can't be 100% certain that a 'single DIN' opening in one vehicle is exactly the same height as in another ...

Both HKS and Defi offer all-in-one single DIN pods with 3 forty-something mm gauges installed. The Defi unit (called 'DIN Gauge') comes with 1 pressure and 2 temperature gauges.

42mm or 45mm gauges will fit in a single DIN opening just fine, but they're fairly rare (compared to the common 52mm and 60mm units).

I've decided that I have the need/want for way too many measurements to have a gauge for each one. I'm thinking I need in total: boost (have it), AFR (have it), trans temp, exhaust temp, and oil pressure (maybe); I'm going to need voltage too, but will probably have that as a single digital gauge down by my fuse panel. That's a lot of gauges, and I'm already turning my 4runner's "cabin" into more of a cockpit. Too many gauges, too busy :barf:

Where I'm headed instead is an Innovate LMA-3 AuxBox data logging unit to be used along with my Innovate Motorsports XD-16 display (which I already have through my Wideband AFR system). By using the logger, I will have a single gauge that can display a host of engine metrics (AFR, MAP, RPM, EGT, Trans Temp); that's 5 gauges in the space of one. It's also interesting to note I would be able to get rid of my TRD boost gauge, which would give me a space for another one, such as oil pressure, or even another XD-16 to display any two metrics simultaneously. Then, it's my understanding I can program the XD-16 to display a warning light if the value of any of these metrics passes a critical set of values (high/low, or a comparison between two different values even), and I can use the button on the gauge to scroll through the metrics. This is a slicker option IMO, with only one gauge spot required. In the forced induction case, it will also make engine tuning a breeze because I will be able to plot MAP/RPM/AFR on a 3-D graph, and see exactly where I need to adjust my engine fuel map.

Sounds good for me, but would definitely be overkill for someone that isn't supercharged or turbocharged.

Just for the record ... You can double up with dual gauges from Westach (analog / needle type) or SPA (digital / LCD).

And I went the A-Pillar route> :welder:


http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/7335/55913647ub3.jpg