Calling my temp gauge a suggestion is a compliment. If you take the time and read the great article READ ME by @OSS (aka Outputshaft) you'll see the variations that both the wiring and the sending units can have. I've seen many 60 series temp gauges that rear wildly different, but all promise that "as long as it isn't in the red..you're fine".
That wasn't good enough for me. I drive the truck daily and the first time the temp gauge spiked due to the gas tank sending unit ground, I damn near had a heart attack. I didn't want an old school analog temp gauge screwed to the bottom of the dash. I've done that on old cars before and its not what I needed this time around. I started looking at smaller footprint items. I found that a lot of motorcycle and go kart items fit the bill for a small footprint item. I found this for cheap on amazon.
The install couldn't have been easier. I gave it a 12v switched from the fuse box, stuck it to the dash and then ran the main wire out the firewall grommet on the drivers side. I spliced the heater hose going over the back of the engine with their 16mm hose barb kit, and it was all up and running.
The gauge works perfectly and is hidden by the steering wheel spoke the majority of the time. Its not super distracting either. If they had it in green, I would have done that in a heartbeat. What it caused me to do is drive without staring at the analog temp gauge and trust the truck. It shows what is really going on and I'm happy. It's shown me trends I would have never caught with the factory temp gauge. My truck won't move the analog gauge until about 135* coolant temp and it sits perfectly in the middle at 183-187* with a 10 ohm inline resistor.
I do notice one small issue. Sometimes it will read low if I don't have the heater valve opened slightly. It depends on the weather, but its not a big deal. It will usually gain 5-7* of temp with the valve cracked. If I were to do this over, I'd put the sending unit on the upper radiator hose. Your choice of
placement may vary, but this works for me.
That wasn't good enough for me. I drive the truck daily and the first time the temp gauge spiked due to the gas tank sending unit ground, I damn near had a heart attack. I didn't want an old school analog temp gauge screwed to the bottom of the dash. I've done that on old cars before and its not what I needed this time around. I started looking at smaller footprint items. I found that a lot of motorcycle and go kart items fit the bill for a small footprint item. I found this for cheap on amazon.
Amazon.com: Koso BA024B11 Super Slim Style Thermometer: Automotive
Buy Koso BA024B11 Super Slim Style Thermometer: Gauges - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
The install couldn't have been easier. I gave it a 12v switched from the fuse box, stuck it to the dash and then ran the main wire out the firewall grommet on the drivers side. I spliced the heater hose going over the back of the engine with their 16mm hose barb kit, and it was all up and running.
Amazon.com: Koso North America Water Temperature Sensor Adapters - 16mm BG016B00: Automotive
Buy Koso North America Water Temperature Sensor Adapters - 16mm BG016B00: Speedometers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
The gauge works perfectly and is hidden by the steering wheel spoke the majority of the time. Its not super distracting either. If they had it in green, I would have done that in a heartbeat. What it caused me to do is drive without staring at the analog temp gauge and trust the truck. It shows what is really going on and I'm happy. It's shown me trends I would have never caught with the factory temp gauge. My truck won't move the analog gauge until about 135* coolant temp and it sits perfectly in the middle at 183-187* with a 10 ohm inline resistor.
I do notice one small issue. Sometimes it will read low if I don't have the heater valve opened slightly. It depends on the weather, but its not a big deal. It will usually gain 5-7* of temp with the valve cracked. If I were to do this over, I'd put the sending unit on the upper radiator hose. Your choice of
placement may vary, but this works for me.
This is after All new cooling system. I was freaking out. I'm the same is you... In fact worse... I don't want another gauge anywhere... Period! 
