Gauges..

rockcity

rockcity

everyday is a chance to get better
Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Location
Greenville, NC
Well, it's time to search for gauges for the buggy and I haven't the foggiest idea which ones are decent and worth the $.

I've spent some time looking and am leaning toward the VDO Cockpit White series.

I like VDO as it has sending units specific to LS motors and work with their gauges. This makes it easy setting up water and oil gauges and senders. I like that they have a GPS sender that works with any of their electronic speedo gauges. I had not anticipated using a speedo but was going to use the Lowrance but the GPS sender for the VDO speedo seems really easy and a nice way to get a matching gauge.

Any opinions on VDO vs Autometer vs Speedhut vs ???

What is everyone else using in their buggy?
 
I used Equus brand from O'Reillys on the 6.0 Jeep. They were cheap, worked, and cheap. I thought the bulbs that came in them were way to dim for night time driving though. I had a 0-90 ohm fuel gauge, mechanical oil pressure and electric temp. If I was to do it again, I may would use something nicer. But the readings are spot on.
 
I like the gps enabled speedo gauges from Auto Meter but they start in the $300... Waaaay more than I want to spend on a speedo when I have a GPS in the dash.

I don't want cheap gauges but I don't need to spend $1,000 either.

I like basic white with black bezels but really just want something that works and looks decent without breaking the bank.


I had some cheapish gauges in the buggy the first go round but it was a compromise as it was affordable and easy to buy.
 
autometer (pretty sure Phantom)

sorry it's a terrible pic
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tried to go with a yellow backlight to go with the theme
 
think they are 2 5/8
 
I'm fixing to pull my racepak and go with the glow shift-max tow line for the dual readout, and also some Longacre dummy lights for oil and water.

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I'm running the Auto Meter Elite series and through 200 miles or so, I have been a big fan of them.

They are programmable with 7 different colors and alarms that work individually or together. They can also trigger other functions-

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Autometer.
If you are going to abuse it get the oil filled ones. They will stay accurate forever more.

A bad guage can cost you a motor. Dont lose $2k because you saved $35
 
Ok, so now I'm narrowing it down easily.


But what gauges is everyone running? The buggy is a family trail buggy that I never really expect to race, but we all know how that usually goes...


Tach
Volts
Oil Pressure
Water Temp
Trams Temp

These seem to be the standard must-haves.

Speedo is optional but would be nice since it will have a tag for gettin groceries :D

Fuel gauge is on the short list but I need to add a sender to the cell. May or may not do this.

Anything else anyone feels is necessary?
Oil Temp?
Fuel Pressure?
Dummy lights?
Atlas oil temp?

I'm open to thoughts. I haven't really decided, mostly because I just haven't really thought about it too much.
 
Autometer Phantom's in BigJUGGY Jeep.. Speedo, Fuel Gauge, Oil Press, Volts, Water & Tranny Temp.. small brand? fuel press under hood for troubleshooting
 
Do they make a cooler level or beer temp guage?

IF its like most of our trips those are going to be CRUCIAL
 
I have AutoMeter sport comp 2 5/8 guages in metal cups in my buggy and love them. Never really worry about them when pressure washing it or anything. I have water, and trans temp, oil pressure, a 5" tach and volts. I do have a fuel pressure gauge but it is up front on the rail and only really used to diag any issues so I don't monitor it. My gauges light up really well for night riding also.
 
I have the Autometer Phantom, also. Oil press (2 5/8"), water temp (2 5/8"), fuel (2 1/16"), volts (2 1/16"), mechanical speedo (3 3/8" I think) and monster tach (5"). Only problem I had was the tach started reading weird, so I sent it in for repair, OUT OF WARRANTY. A few weeks later I got a brand new one in the mail. Never paid a thing. I was already sold on Autometer before that, but that sealed the deal.
 
One of my biggest concerns is destroying them when washing the buggy. I really need something that can withstand washing down and the outdoor environment.
 
I have Stewart Warner. Not marine, just off the shelf units from napa. I have pressure washed them many times before with no issue.

Although, I don't think going with marine gauge are a bad idea. For what they costs it's probably a good investment.
 
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