Gauges used for LSx swaps

[rcrahn]

I'm at the point where it's time to decide on gauges to get for our project with a 6.0/4L80E. I've searched around here. Sure would be nice if there was a dedicated sticky to just this subject. Swappers, please take a moment to explain what gauges you used, how they were to install, how they are working and the cost. Much appreciated.

[Robznob11]

well I have sun pro mechanical gauges. I used a hose connector in my top radiator hose to put the temp sender, got it off ebay cheap and already was tapped for sender. I broke off the oe oil sender at the back of the manifold and tapped it for the oil gauge hose, and the super sunpro super tach is a programmable model that will work for 2 4 6 or 8 cyl so you can set it and hook it directly to the puter ouput. no speedo or fuel gauge yet but im thinking I may go with a gps speedo for easy no wire hook up and im still trying to figure out the fuel. well I really have not messed with it much but I know that you can use an ohm meter and check the range of the stock sender then just buy a gauge for that range.

[67swb72klb]

try this
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=512751

[BR3W CITY]

built a new gauge cluster,An hour of cutting and trimming stainless followed by 15 minutes of wiring connections and slapping a scangaugeII on it. Doesn't get much simpler.

[rcrahn]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

built a new gauge cluster,An hour of cutting and trimming stainless followed by 15 minutes of wiring connections and slapping a scangaugeII on it. Doesn't get much simpler.

Thanks for the input. I should have explained it's a 67-72 dash cluster I'm interested in. It seems there's plenty of choices. I'd like to take the KISS approach.

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Thanks for the input. I should have explained it's a 67-72 dash cluster I'm interested in. It seems there's plenty of choices. I'd like to take the KISS approach.

Keeping it simple usually means the cost goes up and keeping the cost down makes the simple part goes away, at least for me. These are pretty nice and I would think simple, but they're proud of them. http://www.dreamershotrods.com/class...dgmctruck.aspx Or you can do what I have done, (what 67swb72klb posted) it's way cheaper, but definitley not the simplest way. But I just do not like the look of most aftermarket gauges, it's just my opinion, but I like the original look better, so that's why I use the original stuff.

[rcrahn]

I like what you did. It shows some real ingenuity. I appreciate the link you posted too. I'm still hunting around. Speedhut gauges are interesting to me with the use of microprocessors and the way you can personalize the appearance. Very cool.
What I'm going to say might offend some but I think the original style dash with all those gauges is too busy. Speedhut has a 2 gauge custom set - 4" dual speedometer and tach along with 4" quad gauge - oil, water, fuel volts. They are selling the set currently for $531.

I think these will make for a very clean looking dash.

If I purchase a 3 hole dash bezel and make a thin bezel sheet to hold these it should work okay.

[68GMCCustom]

Autometer has 5" quad gauges and 5" speedo's including a small tach across the bottom.
They also have 3 3/8" dual gauges. I have the dual fuel/oil pressure one as shown below. I also have Aeroforce Interceptor on the dash for info off OBDII diagnostic port, but may move it to replace trans or a/f gauge.

[jorgensensc]

I've got some speed hut gauges on thier way to my house. We will see how they turn out.
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[rcrahn]

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

I've got some speed hut gauges on thier way to my house. We will see how they turn out.
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Which gauges did you select? I'm interested in your feedback once you get them. Thanks

[jorgensensc]

They should be here in a couple of days. I used the 4 1/2" tach and speedo, and the 2 1/16"
Can bus oil pressure, tranny temp, water temp, and volt gauge. They also made me a custom 3 3/8 can bus gauge. I'll post pics when I get it all put together!
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[Billett]

sub'd for my swap

[TchncnDen]

I used gauges out of a Silverado ($40) and later upgraded to Escalade gauges ($100). The Escalade gauges have a more vintage look to them and fit the look of the truck as well as the added trans temp gauge.

[Jrs01]

Originally Posted by TchncnDen

I used gauges out of a Silverado ($40) and later upgraded to Escalade gauges ($100). The Escalade gauges have a more vintage look to them and fit the look of the truck as well as the added trans temp gauge.

Has anybody tried this in the sixties body style I have a 65 and doing it LS swap from an Escalade was thinking the same thing but don't know if it would work for me thanks in advance

[eagleuh1]

Tchncndan, can you post a better pic of the 2nd set of guages, the Escalade ones. That sounds interesting and somewhat inexpensive..Thanks. Jim

[TchncnDen]

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Tchncndan, can you post a better pic of the 2nd set of guages, the Escalade ones. That sounds interesting and somewhat inexpensive..Thanks. Jim

Between my crappy camera and limited space it's hard to get a good picture, but these are a little better. I think I am going to redo my plexiglass face and bring the mask in a little tighter, but other than that I'm very happy with these. Here is a pinout on how to wire them up.

Pin color use
A1-2-not used
A3---pink------fused ignition feed
A4---not used
A5---tan/wht--brake warning indicator lamp input NOT USED
A6-7-not used
A8---brwn/wht-SES light
A9---not used
A10--orn-------fused battery feed
A11--not used
A12--lt blu------left turn input
A13--ppl/wht---seat belt indicator NOT USED
A14-16-not used
A17--lt grn------high beam indicator

B1---brn--------park lamp feed
B2---not used
B3---gry--------security indicator input
B4---not used
B5---ppl/wht----fused ignition feed
B6---gry--------Class 2 Serial Data ***********
B7---orn/blk-----rear compartment lid ajar indicator NOT USED
B8---dk grn/wht--vehicle speed signal
B9---gry---------instrument cluster lamp feed
B10--dk blu------right turn indicator input
B11--blk----ground
B12-13--not used
B14--tan---------oil pressure gauge input
B15--blk wht------ground
B16-17- not used

I unplugged the ribbon cable to the message center otherwise the security light will always flash when on. The oil pressure switch is different for 99-02 and 03-06 so you have to use the switch of the same year as the cluster. The 03-06 gets its oil pressure from the PCM and the 99-02 is wired direct as above.

[ramega]

that looks somewhat clean.

[Operatorfailure]

I figured out my gauge cluster, it was a little misunderstanding of the wiring list. I was using a post that TchncnDen put up (thanks man) and pin B5 says " B5---ppl/wht----fused ignition feed" and it actually just needs to be hot only when the starter is engaged, I had it hot at all times when key was in run. Cut that wire, and it is all good to go, except my fuel gauge but that is a separate problem. I have the third member out welding it up, since I spin everytime I look at the gas pedal now. (I know most people are 100% against welding up rear ends, but I have had great luck with it in the past and will run it until it breaks)

Originally Posted by TchncnDen

Between my crappy camera and limited space it's hard to get a good picture, but these are a little better. I think I am going to redo my plexiglass face and bring the mask in a little tighter, but other than that I'm very happy with these. Here is a pinout on how to wire them up.

Pin color use
A1-2-not used
A3---pink------fused ignition feed
A4---not used
A5---tan/wht--brake warning indicator lamp input NOT USED
A6-7-not used
A8---brwn/wht-SES light
A9---not used
A10--orn-------fused battery feed
A11--not used
A12--lt blu------left turn input
A13--ppl/wht---seat belt indicator NOT USED
A14-16-not used
A17--lt grn------high beam indicator

B1---brn--------park lamp feed
B2---not used
B3---gry--------security indicator input
B4---not used
B5---ppl/wht----fused ignition feed
B6---gry--------Class 2 Serial Data ***********
B7---orn/blk-----rear compartment lid ajar indicator NOT USED
B8---dk grn/wht--vehicle speed signal
B9---gry---------instrument cluster lamp feed
B10--dk blu------right turn indicator input
B11--blk----ground
B12-13--not used
B14--tan---------oil pressure gauge input
B15--blk wht------ground
B16-17- not used

I unplugged the ribbon cable to the message center otherwise the security light will always flash when on. The oil pressure switch is different for 99-02 and 03-06 so you have to use the switch of the same year as the cluster. The 03-06 gets its oil pressure from the PCM and the 99-02 is wired direct as above.

[Billyburban]

Originally Posted by TchncnDen

Between my crappy camera and limited space it's hard to get a good picture, but these are a little better. I think I am going to redo my plexiglass face and bring the mask in a little tighter, but other than that I'm very happy with these. Here is a pinout on how to wire them up.

Pin color use
A1-2-not used
A3---pink------fused ignition feed
A4---not used
A5---tan/wht--brake warning indicator lamp input NOT USED
A6-7-not used
A8---brwn/wht-SES light
A9---not used
A10--orn-------fused battery feed
A11--not used
A12--lt blu------left turn input
A13--ppl/wht---seat belt indicator NOT USED
A14-16-not used
A17--lt grn------high beam indicator

B1---brn--------park lamp feed
B2---not used
B3---gry--------security indicator input
B4---not used
B5---ppl/wht----fused ignition feed
B6---gry--------Class 2 Serial Data ***********
B7---orn/blk-----rear compartment lid ajar indicator NOT USED
B8---dk grn/wht--vehicle speed signal
B9---gry---------instrument cluster lamp feed
B10--dk blu------right turn indicator input
B11--blk----ground
B12-13--not used
B14--tan---------oil pressure gauge input
B15--blk wht------ground
B16-17- not used

I unplugged the ribbon cable to the message center otherwise the security light will always flash when on. The oil pressure switch is different for 99-02 and 03-06 so you have to use the switch of the same year as the cluster. The 03-06 gets its oil pressure from the PCM and the 99-02 is wired direct as above.

How did you get your fuel sending unit to work ? What ohms do you have for the Escalade cluster fuel level to work

[rmvlt1100]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

I'm at the point where it's time to decide on gauges to get for our project with a 6.0/4L80E. I've searched around here. Sure would be nice if there was a dedicated sticky to just this subject. Swappers, please take a moment to explain what gauges you used, how they were to install, how they are working and the cost. Much appreciated.

I placed a piece of sheet metal in place of the old gauge cluster then used autometer sport comp. gauges with electric sending units. The speedometer and tach are also electronic that hook up directly to the CPU. Did a little body work smooth out the edges, painted then had it hydro dipped. Everything works good.





Good luck with your setup.
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[Daaaanz67]

That's nice, where did you get that turn signal lever with the cruise. Also is it a three wire or four cruise
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[Crash_OK]

Dakota Digital VHX with their PCM interface. The speed, RPM, Water Temp, etc are feed to the gauges via the PCM.

[kevmac]

Originally Posted by Crash_OK

Dakota Digital VHX with their PCM interface. The speed, RPM, Water Temp, etc are feed to the gauges via the PCM.

Crash, you have any trouble with the tach signal? I want vhx for my swap but had trouble with my 67 Camaro with vhx getting a tach signal. tried pull up resistor and all, no luck. had to tap off the coil. just didn't want to go through that again.thanx

[Crash_OK]

Originally Posted by kevmac

Crash, you have any trouble with the tach signal? I want vhx for my swap but had trouble with my 67 Camaro with vhx getting a tach signal. tried pull up resistor and all, no luck. had to tap off the coil. just didn't want to go through that again.thanx

No problems, using the Dakota Digital BIM module, it connects to the PCM and receives all the tach, speed, water temp, etc digitally from the PCM.

[imsuchaman55]

We used a cluster out of a 01 camaro. Cost $60 and the PCM controls everything but the fuel gauge. We epoxied the original fuel gauge armature into the camaro one. A piece of lexan cut to fit, and painted black from behind and ready to go.