Who's running Digital Dakota Gauges? I need help!

[ric ingram]

SO I pulled the trigger on the Digital Dakota set for my 74 fj40, install took a tad longer than I liked but wasn't too bad, I love the look and so nice to have all my gauges working but... I just wanted to see if anyone else was running into similar problems..

Problem 1. My temp gauge runs about 30 degrees above my previous sun pro mechanical gauge. I would usually sit 180-190 and now 210 seems to be the norm. I installed the adapter they sent for the 1F and it seems that I can not thread the sensor far enough to read water temp correctly, not sure if I should look at a hardware store for a better substitute or what.

Problem 2. Speedometer not reading 0-5 mph and 5-0, not a huge deal but when you spend that kind of money on a product you expect it to be pretty perfect. Coming to a stop it hits about 5 mph and then just drops to 0 abruptly. I've calibrated it several times, it's spot on according to gps.

Im driving it on her first real road trip from Southern Maryland to Charlotte NC to get painted (400 Miles) just want to make sure everything is in good shape before hand! Let me know how your guys experience with them are. I am only 250 miles in so far.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

My DD temp gauge on my SBC 400 reads hotter than my old stock gauge did. I was around 205-210 (guessing since the stock gauge didn't tell you much) and now run 215-220 constantly.
I had an issue with the little piece that fits into the t/c case where the speedo goes. It was the wrong one I believe. I got a new one from them and reinstalled it and my gauge is consistent and smooth. I'm guessing the speedo part is jumping around in the part that installs into your speedo housing on your case. Maybe double check to make sure it's installed properly and not binding in anyway?

 

[ric ingram]

Thanks for the reply, My old gauge (not the stock one) did have the numbers listed and read pretty solid at 180, but as for the speedometer, it is super smooth, just zero readings at under 5mph. I'll pull that adapter back of the t/c and try and take a look.

 

[UZJ40]

Hey there, I have had my DD package for over a year now, and almost 1000 miles on it. I love it, but I have the same temperature issue as you.

I have a 2UZ V8, and my Dakota water temp sensor is mounted about 2" from my stock water temp sensor. I was alarmed at first from what seemed to be high coolant temps. The DD gauges consistently run anywhere from 10-15 degrees hotter than my scan tool that reads my OBDII port and oem coolant temp sensor.

I have the same engine in our 03 4Runner, and it NEVER gets above 200. Going up a steep grade, 110 degress outside, with AC on high, it still sits around 195. That's around what the scanner reads in my 40, but the Dakota gauge is up near 205-210.

Dakota Digital does have excellent customer service though. I called the original salesman that sold me my kit, and he sent me a new water temp sensor for free. This did not resolve the issue, but I could at least rule that out.

One thing I do feel is strange though, is that my digital display on the Dakota gauges will read about 5 degrees cooler than the needle will. To have your water temp displayed on your digital readout, you need to set an 'alarm' to have it alert you when its over a certain temp. I set mine really low, so its always displayed. I believe I did about 150 degrees.

I don't really care, because overall, this is a great unit. I just wanted to make sure my rig wasn't actually running hot. Now that I know it's not, I can make the small correction in my head.


To address your speedometer issue- I also notice that. I am using the OEM speed sensor built into my transfer case. I have also noticed it in many vehicles though, like our 4Runner and Tacoma. Below 5mph, it doesn't really do much.

 

[ric ingram]

Ah smart hack on the alarm! I am very happy with the unit Just wanted to make sure I wasn't alone on these issues, I really think temp issue is due to the temp probe not actually getting down into the coolant. You have an awesome build BTW, I'm debating on moving back to Vegas in the next couple months, I moved to Maryland to take a job with and just isn't the same!

 

[UZJ40]

Well, if you do it in the next couple months, you'll miss the hot summer! It actually has been a reasonably mild summer so far!

I hear ya about moving east.... nothing compares to the mountains out west! I couldn't wait to come back when I went east for work.

 

[Roadtrip]

You are talking about this one right? The VHT. My 40 wants one.

 

[ric ingram]

yea that's the one, VHX series. I bought mine from "Gotta be geared" on here. Gave me the best price I have seen for them. Give hime a shout to buy one! Very nice guy to work with answered all my emails and phone calls very quickly.

 

[tnkayaker]

The temp issue is probably just a calibration problem with their feedback device for the mechanical gauge.

 

[ric ingram]

Im not sure... I wonder if enough of us had this problem though if they would work on a fix? I'd even buy another sensor if that was the case. Im just the type of person who looks at my gauges quite often and like to see everything in the norm.

 

[nocents]

Did this ever get resolved? I just fired up my ramjet 350 with DD gages and it read 220. Inferred gun says 180 at manifold. thinking the temp gage is reading high like others discribed

 

[Mike Shull]

Did this ever get resolved? I just fired up my ramjet 350 with DD gages and it read 220. Inferred gun says 180 at manifold. thinking the temp gage is reading high like others discribed

Mine reads around 220°F when the engine temperature is between 200 and 220°F. I emailed Scott at DD to see if this can be recalibrated and I’ll report back.

For reference, I have a 6.2L LS with a 195°F thermostat.

 

[Mike Shull]

Scott with DD was quick.

For those using the DD sensor and SEN-04-5 module, and using a newer version of the RTX, there is a way to reprogram the needle position.

Since I am using the OBD II module, I can’t go that route but DD has offered to recalibrate and repaint my temperature gauge to align with the hotter operating temperatures for a few hours of labor.