Oil/temp gauge solution, worked out pretty good

[Spring Grover]

Did this last year, I like it so much I thought I'd share. The 2" gauge (I went with Speedhut) fits perfectly with this Amazon bracket (1 1/2") in between the shifter and turn signal rods. The bracket slid over the steering shaft, with a little effort if I remember. I had to shave the nut on the bracket a bit to keep from rubbing. The gauge came with a mount that I modified to fit the Amazon bracket. All in all pretty simple, and it's right in my view all time without looking down or under the wheel.
Fwiw, hope it helps someone out there.
Best....

 

[Mark Jennings]

A couple of questions,

Did you install because to original dash mounted quit working?
What did you use for senders? Did these come with the new temp/press gages? And adaptors?

 

[Spring Grover]

Hi Mark. I had an unfortunate event in not seating the oil pump properly last year, drove a few miles and spun the mains. After major repair, decided I wanted to see exactly what psi I have going on, understandably. The Speedhut gauge came with senders and put them in the same locations as stock, using a few adapters I had to pick up. Do a search in forums on said adapters. As much as I wanted a stock appearance, I won't go without a proper gauge again in a 40. Hope this helps.
Mark (another Mark)

 

[charliemeyer007]

Back in the mid 80's I installed an illumined direct read oil pressure gauge in about that same position, using an aluminum bracket I made. I had replaced the sender twice and the OEM meter was still crappy.

I carry a pipe plug for the block in case the tubing brakes. I also covered the tubing from the back of the gauge to the engine side of the fire wall with a section of fuel/oil hose - this would prevent me from getting a face full of of hot oil if the tubing broke at the gauge.

Last year I put in a replacement chinesium Delco distributor. I whirled the engine over with the plugs removed until it built oil pressure. Took several tries to get the timing correct and I had to reuse the skinny o-ring base seal - the fat one it came with wouldn't allow me to seat the dizzy down enough to engage the oil pump,

 

[Mark Jennings]

Hi Mark. I had an unfortunate event in not seating the oil pump properly last year, drove a few miles and spun the mains. After major repair, decided I wanted to see exactly what psi I have going on, understandably. The Speedhut gauge came with senders and put them in the same locations as stock, using a few adapters I had to pick up. Do a search in forums on said adapters. As much as I wanted a stock appearance, I won't go without a proper gauge again in a 40. Hope this helps.
Mark (another Mark)

Spun Bearing…..Ouch, been there, done that, just not in an FJ40.

Years ago (like 1974) I rebuilt a VW engine and installed an oil filter/cooler kit. However, I plumbed the oil filter incorrectly…..pump discharge against the filter rubber outlet check valve…..drive the car like 200 miles and lost a rod bearing…..I was amazed how longe you can drive without oil pressure….I was disappointed I didn’t think through how an oil filter should be plumed.

These are lessons learned from hard experiences. And expensive experiences.