Gauges - Have you ever said, "I'm Done..."

[HackFabrication]

Has anyone added a signal generator to a Dana 20 Transfer Case ? If so which one did you use? From what I can see it won't take a Ford style. The idea of adding a unit that mounts on the exterior of the Transfer Case , specifically along the drive shaft with magnets doesn't appeal to me at all.

This is what I used:









The VSS is from Dakota Digital: Speedometer 8K Pulse Generator

The bracket was just made up from some scrap steel and though bolted to the firewall.

I needed the VSS for the Ford EFI, and used the pass through one because at the time, I was going to use the OEM CJ speedometer. Now that I'm going autometer (which will use the pulse signal), I'll just cap off the top.

 

[Hedgehog]

Looks like exactly what I'm looking for. No crawling under the CJ, no grease, no mess. Would the Sen-01-2 unit work for an application where the rotation of the cable is essentially stopped at the pulse generator?

 

[Colo Dean]

Hedge, thanks for the compliments The pic shows all of the switches. I need to get knobs for a couple that were broke. The Ignition is to the far right of the steering column and the hazard switch to the left of that. The Headlight switch is just left of the column with the wipers to the left of that. Ended up having to add another push button to the left of the wiper switch for the washer as I couldn't get the factory switch to work. I used LED lights for the turn and high beam indicator and a incandescent red for the alternator just under the high beam light.

I originally wanted to do something similar to Hack, (which is a pretty cool looking dash by the way) but the shifter is within an inch of the dash when in reverse and didn't want to put a bunch of bends in it to clear the gauges.

 

[Hedgehog]

Okay I see'em now. You chose not to use the stock indicator lights? If you do there's a company named Barney's that has the proper set with the impossible to find hazard light. I asked why nobody else had the Hazard light. Newer dashes have the hazard light on the steering column and the lights are blue. the older dash lights like ours are green. You probably don't need'em though. it is a pain to cut the long rectangle openings. I tried, my results were less than decent.

 

[Colo Dean]

I thought about cutting the rectangles but I was missing the hazard and didn't know where to find them. Also wasn't sure I could cut the holes very good so I found 2 clear lamps that I blacked out the top half of the lens to make dash lights and centered them on each side above the switches.

 

[jammer1]

Here's some pics of the speedhut gauges. They still have the classic jeep look but hopefully work better. Their in the CJ8 build I'm doing so it will probably be about 2 yrs before I know how good they work. They look good with the lights on though.

 

[CJ]

There must be some of you that have made the decision to dump all of your Jeeps standard gauges and headed out on your own. For me the decision was made last year to replace the individual stock CJ gauges with similar looking Auto Meter gauges. Now I'm looking hard at the main gauge cluster. My speedometer has NEVER been especially good. Now the fuel gauge and temp gauge aren't all that good. So, I've been looking to replace the whole bunch with something else, something better. I'm building a new dash but haven't cut the gauge holes yet, so size is no problem. So, talk to me/us about your replacement gauges. Are they better, are you happy, would you do it again......................

My aluminum dash with Auotometer gauges, military lights for the high beam and turn signals, aux switches for misc. functions and custom knurled nobs for all the pull switches.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Here's some pics of the speedhut gauges. They still have the classic jeep look but hopefully work better. Their in the CJ8 build I'm doing so it will probably be about 2 yrs before I know how good they work. They look good with the lights on though.

Sure like the way they light up.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Well, its decided and the order has been placed. Speedhut, Programmable speedometer, programmable fuel gauge and water temp gauge. Used Hacks advice for a speedometer sending unit and ordered that as well. I like the idea of having the sending unit inside the cab. Thanks for the help.

 

[jammer1]

LG they do light up nicely. You also get a couple of choices of colors and face colors. Hedgehog If you wire the gauge lights through the light switch (dimmer) the lights have a dimmer control also. You have a little more control on how dim you want the lights. You know how the cj light dimmer switch gets with age.

 

[Hedgehog]

I had planned on wiring the lights through the existing light circuit which includes the dimmer. Seems like it would work the same, but with the new light bulbs maybe not.

 

[jammer1]

Works the same with the ability to fine tune it a little better. I put the knob for the lights in the glove box and turned the dimmer on full. It's a little easier using their control than the jeeps light dimmer.

 

[DHugg]

gauges are a real PITA.

I like the idea of microprocessor control, Kind of drags the system we have into the new millennium.

Today I started planning the in-dash version of digital gauges. I realized I need a tranny oil temp gauge to add to the lineup.

I guess the real lesson is that, with a CJ, you're never "done". Otherwise why not just buy a cookie-cutter "Near-Jeep".

 

[Hedgehog]

Must be my old eyes, Electronic analog gauges always get the information I need to me quicker than trying to see digital information. I'm sure the nitty-gritty small changes in the engine probably shows up better with digital gauges, but I'm generally looking for the big picture. If there is a serious problem analog works for me.

 

[Neuner]

I love the look of the OEM layout but still got to the point of "I'm done" out of frustration. Oil pressure and voltage work and the speedo is off by 5 mph but I don't care since I've turned to using my phone as the gauges now.

During the swap I hooked up a data port. I bought one of the cheap Bluetooth link devices which relays all the info to my phone. A installed Torque Pro which will display any gauge/reading that is available, will graph out any data collected and will display alarms for codes or limits you set in a customizeable layout.

I have mine showing temp, rpm, gps speed, timing advance, O2 readings, oil pressure and a couple if others. All for $8 plus phone mount. Only gripe is I still don't have a working fuel gauge but a tank drop and new aftermarket gauge are in order this winter.

 

[Neuner]

This is what I used:

The bracket was just made up from some scrap steel and though bolted to the firewall.

I needed the VSS for the Ford EFI, and used the pass through one because at the time, I was going to use the OEM CJ speedometer. Now that I'm going autometer (which will use the pulse signal), I'll just cap off the top.

Is the speedometer connection the same for the Dana 20 as the Dana 300 ? I went to a local parts store and requested a Speed Sensor from a '91 2.5 YJ which fit my Dana 300 and the same that Hack listed. Cost was around $75 w/ tax.

I had to request the 2-wire connector separate which was a couple of extra $.

 

[Hedgehog]

Right now I sorta do the same thing with my GPG, a real automotive GPS, can't stand the very idea of paying for a smart phone and all the data plans and add on stuff. I get nice miles driven, max speed and MPH information with the GPS stuck to the windshield it works nicely. But even that I can't stand. What happens when I forget the thing or someone steals it or any number of other things that can happen to a portable device.

Since I'm not going to drag race my CJ or fly it to the moon I don't really need all the fancy gauges so a relatively standard set will do me fine, Volts (I've got - Auto Meter), oil pressure (I've got, Auto Meter), Programmable Speedometer (Speed Hut), Signal converter (Digital somebody), Programmable Fuel (Speed Hut), Water Temp (Speed Hut). I'm even uncomfortable with the Water Temp gauge, I want C=cold and H=Hot with a line between the two. Since most everything in the middle means, "I'm a happy engine.", simple is always good for me. In reality the H-C gauges are temp gauges without the numbers anyways. I expect the gauges will be all gaugy an needle movie aroundy enough to keep me happy.

 

[Neuner]

can't stand the very idea of paying for a smart phone and all the data plans and add on stuff.

I understand you're not interested and not going that route but just wanted to throw it out there and I need to clarify:

My phone was $50. Don't have to include a data or service plan in order for it to work. The $8 bluetooth device comes with the software for the phone. I always have it on me anyways when I take the CJ for emergencies, etc.

The phone automatically connects to the bluetooth once it's within reach without me doing anything and my car mount is a simple quick connect windshield mount type that powers the phone while in place. Nothing special. I've never forgotten the phone.

The Torque App gauges can be custom. Sweeping needle, dial meter, digital, half-dial with digital read out, etc. Even a C to H temp if you want.

Got mine after talking to brownrxmd and seeing his tablet version he uses. I had the same concerns but he said his tablet was under $200 and he locks it in his console.

Just fun for discussion.

Attached images of some examples of how much you can alter the display of gauges/info -

 

[Hedgehog]

Wasn't trying to be negative on your use of your smart phone, those things are truly amazing in all they can do. Speaking for myself I admit to be a bit of a luddite when it comes to electronics. I can't really blame anybody for using it. I was rambling on about me, threads like this are only good if someone else can take away information that is useful for them. Your application certainly falls in that category.

I fear the day when I find myself walking down the street oblivious to the real world for the fun and excitement of the electronic world in my hand. I can't help but feel sorry for those people you see that check something on their phone every 30 seconds and have no idea what to do with their hands in between. The whole selfy thing seems so .... I don't know ..... desperate to me.

 

[Neuner]

I can't help but feel sorry for those people you see that check something on their phone every 30 seconds and have no idea what to do with their hands in between. The whole selfy thing seems so .... I don't know ..... desperate to me.

Amen!

I'm sortof the same way with tech anymore. Use to be savvy when younger but further away from it as I get older. I hate the latest & greatest whatever.

Never would have thunk it until after seeing brownrxmd and his posts about his trips to Alaska. Even blew it off after a while until I got tired of the distrust in my gauges and trying to get them right, as in the meaning of this thread. Then decided to give it a whirl, now know how simple it is and love it.