Adding an aftermarket water temp gauge to a 94 LC (I searched, but..)

[timer00]

I don't like the stock water temp gauge mod since I like seeing actual numbers and all.

I figured I would get an aftermarket gauge but upon reviewing some threads in a search.. one being 19 pages long with charts/tests/numbers galore of testing but not many people who have put an aftermarket one in I decided to post this thread.

From what I gathered a Greddy gauge or so is a good one to get and I saw a few pics of spots where people tee'd in the sensor. My question is since some of those threads I got in search were old I was wondering if there is a consensus on the best place to tee in a sensor to connect an aftermarket water temp gauge? Most I saw was somewhere in the upper radiator hose area where people put sensors and even people talking about a metal piece in the middle of the upper radiator hose with threaded hole or something already and putting a sensor in there to be closest to the coolant etc.

As you can tell I really would like to know the most up to date best way of doing this since I don't have a 95+ to get scan gauge and don't like the stock gauge mod because its not super accurate. I am going on vacation in a few months and would love to put one in by then.

Thanks!

 

[kidglove13]

I taped into the upper rad hose and it works fine.
I forgot what kind of metal sleeve with the treaded bung I have.
I just cut the upper hose in half and installed it.
It is really simple.
I went with a manual gauge as opposed to electric noe particular reason.
I just like mechanical temp gauges.

 

[timer00]

Cool, wasn't sure about what exactly was used when cutting into the upper rad hose. Thanks!

Do you have what brand or model # of your gauge and where to get the "metal sleeve"?

 

[1FZj80]

I drilled/tapped the top water pipe and installed a EGT/WT/Tach as shown. Works great.

 

[timer00]

I drilled/tapped the top water pipe and installed a EGT/WT/Tach as shown. Works great.

Ah yes this was one of the areas I read in an older thread that was used.

 

[1FZj80]

EGT/CHT/WT/Tach gauges are very common in auto/moto racing. You can get very accuarte thermocouple based digital gagues on Ebay, etc. Just do a search. I'm using Digatron, but there are many others.

 

[kidglove13]

I just bought a regular old manual temp gauge from autozone and hooked it up.
It is fairly accurate.
Much better than the factory crap gauge.
And from reading what engines temps others have mine reads right within those ranges.
It was a long time ago so I do not remember what brand the metal sleeve was.
I think I got it from Summit.

 

[timer00]

I just bought a regular old manual temp gauge from autozone and hooked it up.
It is fairly accurate.
Much better than the factory **** gauge.
And from reading what engines temps others have mine reads right within those ranges.
It was a long time ago so I do not remember what brand the metal sleeve was.
I think I got it from Summit.

ok cool thanks

 

[thestunts]

Curious as to what you do about any shavings falling in. Not worried about it ? Or what?

 

[cme4lyt]

I've been waiting for this opportunity...

I have not had the chance to post my 'temp gauge mod' yet but this seems like the perfect thread for that. Sorry for the slight hijack !

I'm quite proud of what I did and it came out super cool...even if I say so myself !

I started off with a rectangular guage from Dakota Digital. See link...

Odyssey Series I, Water Temperature


This in turn was paired with a Greedy Radiator Hose water Adapter. See link...

Greddy 16401634 Radiator Hose Water Temp Sensor Adapter 34mm

What's important to remember is that the Greedy part needs a water temp sensor inserted into it and that sensor needs both the hot wire and a ground/earth since mine was installed in between the upper rubber radiator hose. See picture 1. You can just make out the silver ground lug in between the sensor and the Greedy adapter.

Picture 2 shows the installed part. You can clearly see the RED hot wire and the BLACK ground/earth wire. Both these wires are routed back to the gauge installed below the console.

Picture 3 shows the installed gauge. More pics to follow !

Rgds...

 

[cme4lyt]

More of the hijack !

Pics 4, 5 and 6.

 

[Hovenator]

I drilled and tapped mine into the water pipe as well. I used a wet/ dry shop vac to suck out what I could. Then I did my flush and fill on the cooling system I bought my water and tranny temp gauges from egauge. Black VDO series. I'm very happy with them and the way the install went. I put mine on the pillar. Best place for these gauges IMO. Always within a flick of the eyeball!

 

[timer00]

Thanks for all the pictures and various options it really made it easier than reading a ton of old threads.

 

[1FZj80]

Curious as to what you do about any shavings falling in. Not worried about it ? Or what?

I removed the pipe to drill and tap. It would be a little difficult (even if you wern't worried shavings) to drill and tap from the engine compartment.

 

[Ozdunc]

I got one of these

TM2 Engine Watchdog - Digital Temp Gauge with Alarm - Full Wave Marine

Its got a set-able (is that a word) audible alarm level.
And dead easy to fit. I just attached the thermocouple to a bolt where the water comes out of the engine.

Accurate to a couple of degrees - I had ice on the truck one morning (rare in Oz) and the sensor said 2deg C before I started it up, so near enuff