Hi folks, rehabbing my first FJ40, looking to replace gauge cluster. Many choices to buy, so are they all made by one company and branded differently? Which brand is best to purchase? Particularly that they build a reliable product? No, I’m not interested in a $1000 Dakota Digital. Any insight will be appreciated. Happy FJing.
Gauge cluster decision (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Red Dog 1977
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
No clue. Please post what you get. I need to fix my odometer, speedometer is still working, Gas gauge is still wonky as the day I got my 72 in 82. Odometer was my best gas gauge. My direct read oil pressure gauge is still working great since 85. Amp meter still working fine from day one.
Odometer service is easy. 30 min once the cluster is out. There’s a step-by-step link here somewhere
- Thread starter
- #4
Hi Charlie Meyer007, I will definitely pass on what a learn regarding aftermarket gauge clusters. That product offering is a black hole of questions.
Bear
SILVER Star
Ebay has been flooded the past several years with a Chinese copy of a later kilometer version. New Toyota clusters can be found but obviously cannot meet the cheap Chinese prices. BTW, the Chinese establish sellers in a number of US city locations. Cannot comment on the quality of this Chinese product, but it is NOT from Toyota, and for the most part still believe you get what you pay for.
@Red Dog 1977
A couple of questions. How bad is your current cluster and what do you want the result to be? Functional or pretty?
The aftermarket options on eBay are not plug and play for a 77 you will need to do some work to make one work.
A couple of questions. How bad is your current cluster and what do you want the result to be? Functional or pretty?
The aftermarket options on eBay are not plug and play for a 77 you will need to do some work to make one work.
In my Camaro I went with Dakota Digital, however if I had it to do over I’d have made my own gauges, after installing the Dakota Digital I made my own vintage Air controller, my own tire pressure monitor, my own temp monitoring inside outside and vent temps, and made my own Dakota digital dimmer, I’m now building my own gear shift indicator. Here’s my project:
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
I went with the DD but since I now have a diesel I wanted to see my EGTs and boot in the gauge with a built in tach.
Does Cummins provide a spot for the pyrometer or did you have to drill and tap?
Being stock i haven't really felt the need, but EGT's can also tell you a lot.
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
DD provided the TC that I will have to drill and tap. I can either put in the flange post turbo or in the down comer. Since I live at 5.2K and have to climb out I thought it was prudent. I have been watching boost and EGs since my 2005 and don't want to run with out it. Better then blowing a hole in a piston.
Now that I have the tuner coming it will need it more then before. Someday I will have it ready for first fire.
I have this cluster that is in great original shape. It has been completely gone through cleaned and tested. It has clear gauges (no rust in the lettering) and is ready to go right in the truck.
$300 with your old cluster as an exchange. This includes shipping, new mounting screws and lights. Also I can set the mileage for you.
Thanks
Jack
$300 with your old cluster as an exchange. This includes shipping, new mounting screws and lights. Also I can set the mileage for you.
Thanks
Jack
Thats a bummer, but not surprising.
Prudent to have it if you're going to throw a tune at it.
Post turbo is useless information. You want it as close to the hottest cylinder as possible while still picking up the other three cylinders. Aluminum melts at ~1250º, you can spike it to well past that in short bursts, but sustained temps below 1200º is wise.
On a 6BT, usually this means drilling just before the turbo, offset to the rear to avoid the fin in the middle of exhaust manifold.
I'd break it in without a tuner. Mine felt like a switch got flipped at some point. Better power, and better economy. I'm assuming it has a break in program that clicks off once certain parameters have been met. Or, it's all in my head.
Entirely possible too.
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
My 5.9s and 6.7s seemed to wake up at certain mileage too.
My 2012 6.7 I had the manifold drilled and tapped and the TC installed. On my 2018 I am using a post turbo sensor for my Edge monitor and since I don't tow heavy with it and know that it is cooler then the pre turbo temp it is fine and it never gets that hot they way I drive it.
I also know that if the boost is low and the EGT is high I am to high a gear so it is time to down shift to raise the rpms to get more air flowing across the head. Axis told me I could remove the turbo and drill the flange and install the TC. I am not really comfortable getting chips into the turbo.
When I am ready to install the TC I will look it over and do what I think is best.
My 2012 6.7 I had the manifold drilled and tapped and the TC installed. On my 2018 I am using a post turbo sensor for my Edge monitor and since I don't tow heavy with it and know that it is cooler then the pre turbo temp it is fine and it never gets that hot they way I drive it.
I also know that if the boost is low and the EGT is high I am to high a gear so it is time to down shift to raise the rpms to get more air flowing across the head. Axis told me I could remove the turbo and drill the flange and install the TC. I am not really comfortable getting chips into the turbo.
When I am ready to install the TC I will look it over and do what I think is best.
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
I can drill the flange pre turbo and the distance from the manifold and the flange is not that great so I really doubt it make must of a temp difference if the TC was in the exhaust manifold or in the turbo flange. The manifold is really small compared to a 6B manifold. Even putting the TC in the down pipe as close to the outlet of the turbo would still be close enough to do the math in my head. I have enough operational experience to know if and when I am getting into trouble.
