ARCHIVE ANY SERIOUS INTEREST IN DIGITAL GAUGES FOR YOUR 70 SERIES

[wardharris]

Reconsidering gauge pack on my LSJ 73. One option - Speedhut speedo, tach, etc. in a modified 70 cluster.

Anyone interested in a package solution to address:
- MPH vs. KPH
- Speedo accuracy (GPS)
- Odometer accuracy (GPS)
- Addition of EGT & boost gauges
- Tach accuracy
- Oil, water, etc accuracy
- Better lighting and daytime readability
- Option to integrate indicators for lockers, check engine, etc.

 

[broth9640]

I am interested, but can't commit at the moment.

 

[wardharris]

I am interested, but can't commit at the moment.

There is no off-the shelf solution available as yet, just gauging interest to see if it is worth viewing as a replicable "product" vs. one-off. Shop did something similar with plastic side panels for the 73 and they turned out well.

Keep ya posted if the project ever happens.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I assume that unlike the OEM gauges, these actually have backlighting above 1/4 watt?

 

[wardharris]

I assume that unlike the OEM gauges, these actually have backlighting about 1/4 watt?

I don't do tech.......but user reports are very positive. Also, from the Speedhut FAQ section on lighting:

"There are two types of lighting on our gauges, pointer lighting and dial lighting. The pointer lighting is simply accomplished via LEDs and requires 12 volts on the white wire in the red/black/white wire ribbon. The dial lighting is accomplished via an electroluminescence panel behind the dial. This panel glows when it is subject to around 200 volts AC. The inverter is a DC to AC inverter that takes 12 volts DC and creates the needed 200 volts AC to power the dial lighting. It is not necessary for gauge operation, but it is needed for gauge dial backlighting. Without it connected, the dial will not illuminate. Normally customers will wire the black wire from the inverter to a chassis ground and the white wire to the same location as the other white wire in the red/black/white ribbon."

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I don't do tech.......

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............Something we obviously have in common.

 

[colby1979]

Would these be available in 24v and do you have a rough estimate of price?

 

[wardharris]

I don't do tech.......

Would these be available in 24v and do you have a rough estimate of price?

As noted, I am not a tech guy.....but with that disclaimer, it appears that an inverter-provided 12 v source COULD be a solution for powering the sending units, gauges, lighting, etc. As for price, I have no idea, but if you look at prices on Speedhut website, you will see what the aftermarket parts cost. The key is to have a fabricated / modified OEM gauge cluster configured to accept the new bits and then be something that can be installed as a kit with decent instructions.

 

[ForealBoreal]

curious to see how this turns out.
Basically the only other thing I would want is a better water temp gauge.

 

[stayalert]

I'm definitely interested for my JDM 24 volt RHD BJ74

 

[GreaseMonkeyJP]

I really like the speedhut gauges but I was hoping to avoid the 12V converter.

My thoughts:
Since the lighting has to be converted to 200 AC it seams like a big waste to convert to 12v first. It should however be possible to reverse engineer or create a circuit to do this directly.

Once the lighting is taken care of a simple voltage regulator with filter circuit may be able to provide sufficient 12V power for the gauges depending on their power load requirements without needing a full size 12v converter.

The thing to be careful of either way is to make sure that you use 2 wire sensors or run a ground line from the gauge to the engine block to avoid any floating ground issues (ground voltage difference between two locations) with the power converter.

 

[AndrewHadji]

i presume all mech sensors will need to be swapped for electric?

 

[T-ridecruiser]

Seems like this is the opposite direction of what these vehicles are built for.

Their one wire technology will go down the tubes.

An Ac inverter to power the dash lights on a 12-24 volt vehicle?

Seems like that is making it more complicated.

They make plenty of cars and trucks now a days with all sorts of electrical doodads.

A vdj79 has plenty of electronics.

I would love one of those. Even with all its electrical doodads.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

While I have an "old school" mentality and am generally not a fan of new fangled do-dads as they pertain to vintage Land Cruisers, I have to admit that a new, accurate water temp. gauge would be nice especially considering the cost of the Diesel engine. **












** At least 25% tech content..

 

[stayalert]

good point on the complicating things comment….. for me accuracy and units of interest (MPH in my case) offset the doodad factor somewhat

 

[Bob Richards]

I assume that unlike the OEM gauges, these actually have backlighting above 1/4 watt?

You can get replacement bulbs for your dash that are 5w instead of the standard 3w and that is supposed to brighten things up a bit.

 

[Bob Richards]

I purchased my vehicle specifically becuase it was mechanical, no computers.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

You can get replacement bulbs for your dash that are 5w instead of the standard 3w and that is supposed to brighten things up a bit.

Thanks.....
I'm slowly but surely converting my Cruiser, both interior and exterior, to LED.

 

[stayalert]

I purchased my vehicle specifically becuase it was mechanical, no computers.

I have mechanical lockers but would like some accurate OP, WT, speed, EGT,Boost. I've not read into this too much but don't see why mech senders couldn't be used in conjunction

 

[T-ridecruiser]

Just get a mechanical water temp gauge, especially if you are comparing cost.

Kinda like you did on your 75 and 77 in the double din slot.

VDO water temp gauge = cheap
Redo cluster with inverter and all that = expensive.

Funny how these old vehicles have been using that temp gauge since 10/84 maybe.

Get a new temp sender and gauge from Beno.

Ours are getting a bit old.

Get the speed box app at stay alert.

Or get a 85-87 bj 70 speedo plate it has iboth mph and km.

Yea, the led stuff is awesome.
I put one of rob's and 78hj45
In my 40 series inspection light and reverse. And all my forties and 70 series cruisers.