300 TDi extra gauges

[ANDYD]

Hi All,

Well, I've been meaning to get the Turbo temp/boost gauge for a while and add it to my 300Tdi, then I have been pondering if I should just get a single gauge mount or go with the 3 gauge pod? If I went with the 3 gauge pod then what are the next most useful other two gauges? Maybe Oil pressure and Battery voltage? Maybe a small tacho? (I have a clock already!)
Anyone have any thoughts / tips on this topic? What have you got?
I dont really want anything digital so prefer tp stick with the original look small round gauges.

cheers,
Andy

[punkinracer]

The three I added to mine were boost, EGT and water temp. The stock temp gauge in the Rangie was pretty useless. Other than the fuel gauge I found these are the most important for me.

[Crs]

How about a wading depth sensor? The new Range Rover has them.

:mrgreen:

Sorry, Andy. I couldn't resist. :D

Seriously, what about a compass (all analog incase the GPS goes wonky).

[bf900]

Hi Andy,

I have a oil temp, boost and oil pressure. I also installed a dual battery Managment solenoid + monitor which works awesom and provides very detailed battery voltage.

http://www.nationalluna.com/battery_systems.htm

Would love to add a EGT gauge so let's see what we can find out there. The only complete I've found thus far is out of Australia but it comes with digit readout.

B

[Dave_F]

I just replaced the stock needle temp gauge with a VDO unit that I picked up from Don at Rovalution.

These come with a matching sensor...easy install and fits perfectly as a replacement.

I too have been considering a EGT gauge as I have a stock oil temp gauge that was made redundant when converted from the 2.5 diesel to the 300TDi.

I'll be curiously watching as the only ones I have seen that are affordable are the digital ones. I do kind of like them for their features but like Andy like the stock round look.

Cheers,

[red90]

What three are in the stock location currently?

I have Coolant temp, tach and fuel in the stock location and EGT, boost and air pressure in the gauge area below the center (radio area) and voltage in another spot.

My suggestion is VDO vision. They fit in well with the look of the Defender, are accurate and easy to view day and night. I've changed all of mine including the speedo as they are much easier to read especially at night than the stock gauges.

[ANDYD]

Thanks for all the input, currently my 110 has water temp, fuel, clock as the 3 in dash standard gauges
I like the look of the VDO gauges, so will look in that direction first. I like the 3 pod idea mounted where the now unused ashtray is, just have to decide what is the best three gauges to go with.... Ummmm...

Bert, those battery monitors look useful. With the batteries mounted under the seats the display could even be mounted on the center console (between the seats) Where do you have yours?

Cheers,
Andy

[bf900]

This solenoid is "install and forget". It does the switching between batteries and shows what's charging/when and at what rate. You can also select which battery you want to start the motor (or both if one is dead). The main battery remains connected when the vehicle is off so you can see (over time) the remaining voltage on the battery.

VDO gauges are great but on the pricey side.

B

[red90]

VDO gauges are great but on the pricey side.

Compared to what? I always thought they were quite low cost.

[Arcades]

CDWan on defendersouce is selling some original gauges at what look to be a good price... I think they are new in the box...

[DBrands]

I'll add some input too.

Like Red, I have the VDO Vision tach, water temp, and fuel gauge in the dash. They make looking at your gauges at night possible. Makes my original speedo look abysmal. You could run those three in the dash and in the 3 gauge pod, run your clock, boost, and EGT.

However, I wasn't a fan of the round VDO EGT gauge, and wanted one with an alarm and digital readout. Not sure if I found the cheapest, but bought one from here:

http://thesensorconnection.com/category ... le-channel

Or ditch the clock, run a single gauge pod with the boost gauge and get a digital EGT like the one I purchased.

Looks like you've got a few options... :roll:

[ashek]

Heya Andy,

I was just thinking of doing the same thing, replacing some gauges with ones that are a little more useful (my clock isn't even connected) and consolidating existing ones into duals, without adding a 'pod' on the a-pillar, or taking up visibility realestate like the ashtray pod does.

Came across a very simliar thread on defender source, and although the VDO ones are discussed, the nicest looking ones (imo) are the westach ones. Sounds like they can make them in any combo; water/oil temp, egt/boost, etc.
check out the pictures:
http://www.defendersource.com/forum/sho ... 107&page=3

[Doc Tari]

I agree with the suggestions for VDO and Westach gauges, they build quality units. VDO makes a nice 2" 4000 rpm tach that picks the signal directly off the alternator + a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I also installed a Westach combo boost/EGT gauge. One other instrument to consider might be an inclinometer.

[bf900]

Andy,

Did you happen to make a decision on what gauges you are going with?

B

[ANDYD]

Hey Bert,

No, I put it on the back burner as I spent all my money on Tyres, Springs :bounce: and shocks instead......

Christmas is coming, so its a good time to start thinking about it again... thanks for the reminder.

cheers,
Andy

[bf900]

I know! I'm looking hard at the VDO Vision EGT gauge/kit from egauges.com. I think it will be a great stocking stuffer.

Do you know if the Defender takes a 4k Tach or 6k tack?...The manual claims max power at 4k. A 5k gauge would be ideal but egauges/VDO doesn't have one.

Thanks

B

[ANDYD]

I would think the 4000 rpm would be fine, mainly because I prefer to see the needle working the most in the middle of the gauge (2000 rpm) - it would also be a good incentive to keep your revs under 4000 rpm :wink:
Maybe some one out there that already has a tacho installed on a 300tdi would be good enough to confirm the max rpm limit they have seen?

I was looking through the http://www.egauges.com/VDO-Vision-Black ... /21006.htm site you posted and do like the black vision range. Free shipping to Point Roberts too.
Approx prices I see ... EGT gauge kit - $150 / Tacho rpm gauge kit - $90 / Voltmeter gauge - $30 / Boost gauge kit - $55

Does anyone have any suggestions for well priced VDO gauges (Vision Black) from within Canada?

cheers,
Andy

[red90]

California Import Parts in Langley stock some on the Vision series gauges, but not all, and have good pricing. http://www.cip1.ca/SearchResults.asp?se ... on&Submit=

There is a guy in Calgary that is fairly competitive, but I think he is in person only.