Gauges

I want to add gauges to my car(oil, volt, water). How hard would you say it is to install gauges? I'm sure there is a lot of electrical and wiring work that needs to be done.

I'm thinking of getting rid of the cigarette lighter and possibly see if I can fit them were it was. I'm sur eI would need to build a housing for them so they can hold still. Any help on what material it should be would be great.

btw, will the 74 Mav i have need specific gauges(sizes)? Cause I live next to an AutoZone and R&S Strauss and they sell the gauges I want to install on my car.

 

I have these in my '72: http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip...etail/initialR,1894092/shopping/selectZip.htm

They took about two hours to install, came with instructions. Have had them in there for about a year and a half, they work great. http://mmb.maverick.to/attachment.php?attachmentid=27625&d=1212939649

 

Will it also tell you what tools are needed to install?

 

I just needed basic hand tools. Few wrenches, screw drivers, wire strippers.

 

Gauges aren't that hard to install at all.

To simplify things, buy a set of electric gauges, instead of mechanical and you won't have to worry about kinking the oil pressure line or any of that.

If you get a set with lights for night time driving, you will have a ground and a power wire for each gauge (which you can put together into one) Then a wire for each of the sendors (oil, voltage, water) and you will replace your current sendor on the motor with the new one for your gauges.

Very simple install, the most time consuming thing is running the wires to make then look neat, and finding a nice place thats both convenient to look at, and out of the way also.

 

Also Jamie, your link doesn't work... it just takes you to autozone site

 

I think he was referring to these:

http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP619/store,2025/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm

If the link doesnt work click look up item # CP8091

 

I decided to try a set of these to get by with until I could get a better set. They do the job just fine though, and the style of them fits the car very well in my opinion. I've seen no reason to switch to more expensive gauges yet, so I've kept them for about 8 months now. I think for the price you can't go wrong.

 

Plus, when the wire between the sender and the oil pressure gauge breaks you won't be spraying oil everywhere

 

Funny story... now that I reflect back on it.

The tempature gauge on my Comet actually grounded the car enough to start it.

I had mechanical gauges and was tinkering around with it trying to get it to start for the first time. I thought it was a stuck starter, so I rocked the car a bit and tapped on the starter. While moving the car, the tempature gauge probe grounded between the block and the firewall (Yes I know use a grommet, but hadnt gotten around to it yet)

It cranked for a few seconds, blew the line up. It was hilarious after it scared me a bit. lol

I run all electric gauges in the 66 F-100 and never had a problem. They say they aren't as accurate and/or dont dont react as fast. But I've never noticed this, and for a driver what difference does it make.

 

I would leave the lighter in place for now and retrofit a power supply later to run various audio/video accessories.

 

anybody know of one with RPM's Oil, Volt, Water that worked great for them

 

I've seen a 5'' tach w/ the other gauges in it, but they were small. Looked neat but was very expensive..

Id go w/ the 2 or 3 gauge setup and a seperate tach

 

probably a good idea.

who's knows of a good looking guage for RPM's

 

How much are you wanting to spend, and how big of tach are you wanting?

Sunpro makes a very basic 3'' tach w/ no shift light for cheap... or you can move up to a 5'' tach w/ shift light and all that... its all about what you want and how much you want to spend