Aftermarket gauge install in 1st gen S10

[greyhnd]

Hahaha Mike. You're correct, he doesn't run errands for me, he helps me be able to run them on my own. Lost my left foot and ankle back in 2006 so I wear a prosthetic leg. I have a top of the line foot/ankle assembly on this leg. Gives me good lateral and front/back movement and lets me do most everything I did before my amputation. The foot has "bumpers" that either soften or harden the impact of your heel when you step forward. The same for the front of the foot. I need to have a softer "landing" so it's time for an adjustment. Not really on topic, but some people find this kind of stuff interesting.

I did visit the sign shop today and the owner told me he would get some scraps about the size I need together for me. I can pick them up either Saturday or Monday. Best part is no charge since they throw it away. He also told me he might do the machine work for me if I needed it, but he'd have to charge me for that.

[MadMikeZ28]

Off topic but I do find interesting. Got pics!
All my stuff is under my flesh so I can not show. But I can show a link to a video of an actual Aortic Heart Valve replacement and I have a demo model of my Deffibrillator

Oh and I got a gal that adjust my defibrillator

[greyhnd]

No pics at the moment, but I'll see if I can get some if I can figure out where my camera is.

This a link to the College Park Industries spec sheet on the Venture Foot
www.college-park.com/spec_sheets/CPI_Venture%20SpecSheet.pdf

My socket, the part my stump fits into is custom made. They pylon and other mechanical parts made by Otto Bock. The info and specs on my liners, made by Ossur can be found here: http://www.ossur.com/?PageID=11826

These are the nicest liners I've used. Very comfortable and they will not let you yank your stump out of the socket. I was told I could ride on amusement park rides where my feet hang down without worrying about my leg flying off...LOL.

[MadMikeZ28]

The heart valve site changed around and I can no longer find the videos damn it!
Fancy looking piece of equipment you have though. At least you can play around with yours. At best my implanted ICD is wireless so I have been trying to make my PSP communicate with it. I wanta pocket power programer

One of my favorite episodes of Cops was where this cop with a prostetic leg was chancing a black guy on foot. The cop got him and as they are walking to the car the black guy asks," Why you breathin so heavy?" The officer says "I'm out of shape but I caught you." The guy comes back and says "Oh I let you catch me!"

[greyhnd]

Two things. The "sign guy" called me today so I picked up 2 12"x24" pieces of polycarbonate 1/8" thick. He ended up charging me $3 each, but I paid the man and was happy. He did tell me that this stuff is easier to work with and less chance of chipping or splitting than regular acrylic.

This I should've posted in the elecrical forum, but wnted to keep it here. I've thought about a Painless gauge wiring kit, but I hate to spend another $100 if I don't have to. When I get ready to wire the gauges, do I need to wire a connector that fits in the one connected to the dash? Or do most people just snip the connectors off and wire the gauges in direct? I'm going to try and pull the cluster out Saturday, so I want to get the supplies I need before I tear into it.

Sorry to ask so many questions, but every time I think I'm good to go I think of something else tht might bugger me.

[MadMikeZ28]

If you look back at the pic of the gauges I had in my Camaro you will see two plugs.
There is no female plug that fits the OEM male on the truck. It fits into a slot molded into the cluster.
I picked up a couple of male and female plugs and enough male and female wire ends that fit into the plastic parts and that way with the plugs I could easily remove the cluter if needed.

[MadMikeZ28]

Forget about spending $100 on a pain-in-the-A$$ wiring. Here is an example of what I used.

http://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=QCK%2D6

I let my fingers do the walking again and found these types of plugs at a local electronics store.

[greyhnd]

I took a look at the Camaro gauges again. I didn't notice the two plugs when I'd looked at it before. Now that makes much more sense to me. I'll swing by the parts store or Radio Shack and pick up the pieces I need.

I've got the layout marked on the poly panel, so I need to go to the machine shop and have them drill it for me, then I'll be ready to get the gauges mounted and in the truck. I really didn't think it would take me this long to this done, but best for me to take it slow and make sure I do it right the first time.

I truly appreciate all your help with this project.

[MadMikeZ28]

It took me years to do mine. Mostly because I was collecting gauges one or two at a time when ever I ordered other parts from Summit.
Then when I remembered I had all my gauges I got a hunk of aluminum and before I started cutting I found the new gauge panel by Covan's. Luckily I had all the right size gauges!

[jtcfanof3]

Hell, I'm still learning !!

[greyhnd]

jtcfanof3 - i noticed you're in Sullivan, IL. I remember when I was a kid we'd take US 50 from Vincennes to St. Louis for ball games. Mom and Dad always stopped at the park by the lake to let us out of the car for a few minutes. I haven't been there for years, is it still as nice as used to be? Another weird thing is my sister and her family live in Sullivan, IN and they have a huge lake there as well.

As far as still learning. I suppose once you stop learning then it becomes a chore then the fun goes out of it. As long as we still carry the fire there's still hope for us...LOL.

[jtcfanof3]

Wyman pond at Wyman park,or do you meen Lake Shelbyville?
This is the pond at the park,look familiar:

[jtcfanof3]

Here is Fox Harbor/Sullivan Marina Lake Shelbyville:

[jtcfanof3]

SInce we are a little off topic,here is my buddies mustang full of aftermarket gauges:

And some ideas for wiring,this is all hidden in his glove box, BTW, he is anal about his wiring!

[greyhnd]

I think it's Wyman Park, but if you can turn directly off US 50 into the Lake Shelbyville area, then that would be it. I'll ask my siter and see if she remembers.

That Mustang wiring looks like a pro did it. I like to try and keep things tidy, but I don't have the patience to be that serious with it. If I was making a show truck, then that might be a different story.

[bobditts]

cali..... what speedo is that???? Is it a direct swap for the stock cable driven speedo or was there anyhting you had to do to get it to work?

[greyhnd]

MadMike - I was looking at your Camaro panel again and had a couple questions. On the stock connector it's wired for the row of warning lights like seatbelts, brake, check gauges, etc. When I wire the gauges I only need the high beam, check engine and turn indicators. I'm assuming I can just do away with the others all together? As far as the ground is concerned, can I run the ground from one gauge to the other then ground it to the truck, or do I need to have an individual ground for each gauge through the connector. The wiring instructions with the gauges don't really give me any guidance in that area. The only other thing I can think of is the gear shift indicator, not a shift light, but the area that shows if you're in Park, Neutral, Drive, etc. When I cut the back of the gauge panel out will I still be able to use the stock mechanism if I decide to use it?

Sorry to be such a PITA.

[MadMikeZ28]

I have the small green LEDs in the panel for the turn indicators. You can see one on each side of the steering column cut out.
The yellow shift light was for the Check Engine light. I never got around to getting a second light for a high beam indicator but I think it did come with yellow, red and a blue cover.
I used all the original wires for my gauges. So the ground wires that went to the original cluster went for the gauges. I forget but I think my Camaro had two plugs for the original cluster. I know it had more that one wire for dash lights and maybe grounds as well. I just devided them up and used all the original wires.

[jtcfanof3]

Quote: Originally Posted by greyhnd

I think it's Wyman Park, but if you can turn directly off US 50 into the Lake Shelbyville area, then that would be it. I'll ask my siter and see if she remembers.

That Mustang wiring looks like a pro did it. I like to try and keep things tidy, but I don't have the patience to be that serious with it. If I was making a show truck, then that might be a different story.

Man I dont know,Rt50 is pretty south of me. No where near where Sullivan IL is.
It looks like a pro did it because he is what I would call a pro, I meen he eats, sleeps and breathes Mustangs!!! He is with Mustangs as I am with S10's, he has had like 50 Mustangs over the years and he knows em in and out. He is so anal he will wax the bottom of his car and uses a scotchbrite pad and clean the exhaust! He is good though,I meen he is a pro engine builder,wiring,rearends, but not trannies. Funny thing about that Mustang, it will never see the street,race track only. Full cage and built 302 with NOS, built C6 with manual valve body, has skinnies up front,drag radials etc etc....
He is currently building a 351 up,I think its actually a 358 now but I can not remember. The car is nice,and even rare,1987 T-Top car,how many fox bodies have you seen with T-Tops.
Im going WAY off topic!!!

[low86350s10]

ok i have an 84 2.8 im trying to find where and what needs to be done to install after market gauges in my truck ie... oil where do i run the line to feed off of it. next water what or where for that? and tach wire i looked that up but not seeing anything close to looking like what i have on my trucki seen 3 wires thats it any help pics hopefully i can see better than i can read thanks for ur time and help!!!

[low86350s10]

bump anyone with some help please?

[greyhnd]

Low86350s10 - If they're electrical gauges then maybe some of the other posts in this thread will help you. If they're mechanical I know I can't be of any help, but someone here may be around to answer.

jtcfanof3 - I talked to my sister today and it's the Wyman Park where we stopped. She and her husband still stop there sometimes when they ride their motorcycle.

I'm having a devil of a time locating the "quick connect" connectors for the gauge install locally. I've been to Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly and Car Quest so far. The only place I haven't checked is NAPA so I'll do that tomorrow. Has anyone ever used Molex connectors for gauges? From looking at them, I think they'd work, but they're a bit bulky, so it might cause me clearance issues behind the gauge panel. Any thoughts?

[jtcfanof3]

Nice nice,ya the above pic of my 03 S10 is at Wyman pond.

[MadMikeZ28]

Quote: Originally Posted by low86350s10

ok i have an 84 2.8 im trying to find where and what needs to be done to install after market gauges in my truck ie... oil where do i run the line to feed off of it. next water what or where for that? and tach wire i looked that up but not seeing anything close to looking like what i have on my trucki seen 3 wires thats it any help pics hopefully i can see better than i can read thanks for ur time and help!!!

thread jacker!
Oil, mechanical or electric???????????
Water. The sender is in the head between exhaust ports with a green wire.
Tach. You coil should have four spot. 3 will be used. Two of them are power to the coil and dizzy. One is a siganl to the dizzy. The extra one that usualy will not have a wire would be a siganl for the coil. Two are + and two are -. The - is a siganl for a tach.

If you do a search you can find what and where a few times in here. If you still have trouble start your own thread. It saves from confusion between the OP's postings and yours.

Quote: Originally Posted by greyhnd

I'm having a devil of a time locating the "quick connect" connectors for the gauge install locally. I've been to Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly and Car Quest so far. The only place I haven't checked is NAPA so I'll do that tomorrow. Has anyone ever used Molex connectors for gauges? From looking at them, I think they'd work, but they're a bit bulky, so it might cause me clearance issues behind the gauge panel. Any thoughts?

I think mostly you will just find trailer wiring at the parts stores. I got my plugs from a local electronics store. Not sure but maybe a Radio Shack might have something.

[phantom_mia]

greyhound have you been to the shack?

http://www.radioshack.com/family/ind...goryId=2032286

[greyhnd]

Mike - You are correct. If I wanted to install trailer lighting the auto parts stores would have everything I need. I may to one of the lumber yards and check out the electrical section. We don't have an electrical supply outlet here that sells retail. You have to be a builder or in the construction trades to buy from them.

phantom - I saw the connectors you linked me to. At the time I wasn't sure they'd work, but after looking at Molex connectors I'm pretty sure they will.

[MadMikeZ28]

Quote: Originally Posted by phantom_mia

greyhound have you been to the shack?

http://www.radioshack.com/family/ind...goryId=2032286

Those are just like what I used. Small pins that you crimp your wire into and then pop it into the plug.

[low86350s10]

mad mike all my gauges are the mechanical style i dont trust anything electrical if i dont need too. is there an extra spot to put the coolant sender anywhere else? thanks

[MadMikeZ28]

Factory has been using electrical for many years and has not gone back to mechanical. The water temp has that probe and wire that is either too long or short and looks ugly when its stretched across the engine compartment. Oil pressure could get a break in the tube spraying oil everywhere or in the thin flat brass tube inside the gauge could fracture causing oil to leak into the gauge. None of that happens with electrical gauges.
There is a spot in each head as the heads are exactly the same as one another.

[bobditts]

anyone know which impedence gas guage to purchase or are they specific to the different engines?

[excaliber]

here's something different, it mounts in your speaker location

[low86350s10]

thats cool where did you get that from!!!!

[MadMikeZ28]

Quote: Originally Posted by bobditts

anyone know which impedence gas guage to purchase or are they specific to the different engines?

90 ohms full, 0 empty
If you look for your gauges at Summit they should say works with GM.

[bobditts]

Quote: Originally Posted by MadMikeZ28

90 ohms full, 0 empty
If you look for your gauges at Summit they should say works with GM.

that is excellent news. Thank you!!!

[excaliber]

i found it on www.syty.net, it's a custom hand made setup, but the guy was talking about selling them.

here's the addy, not sure if you can see it without joining tho.

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthrea...highlight=dash

[greyhnd]

Having the dash panel cut out and can pick it up on Monday. I'm going to mount the gauges and try to pre-wire them before installing. The only problem I might run into is a bad fuel sender. If I'm lucky my current gauge is bad or there's a short somewhere causing it to always show full. If I can find my dam digital cam I'll post a pic or two when I get the gauges mounted.

I may have a question or two about the wiring when I get started, but hopefully not.

[MadMikeZ28]

Maybe your wire is grounding for the fuel gauge. Test right at the wires behind the dash while its out and see what the ohms read.

[greyhnd]

Testing right at the gauge will tell me if the sender is not functioning correct? There are some wires hanging down under the cab, but I haven't figured out where they go yet. I thought if they were to the fuel sender that might be where my problem is. I'll check the ohms at the gauge end when I pull the cluster out this week. I don't know much, but I'm almost positive the dash has been out of my truck at least once in it's lifetime.

[greyhnd]

Been a bit since I posted on tis subject, had a few family issues to deal with. I've got the panel holes cut, the gauges mounted temporarily and I'm starting on the wiring. Hopefully next week I can get the panel in the truck.

If I run my wiring from the + terminal on one gauge to the + terminal on another until all are connected, will that cuse me a problem as far as gauge accuracy? Looking at the wiring diagram for the truck seems to point to doing it that way. The same goes for the ground wires. The wiring for the sending units is simple enough to follow so no worries there.

As far as the gauge lighting is concerned, I don't see any circuit specifically for the dash lights unless I'm just missing it. Needless to say, I'm stuck on that part.

[MadMikeZ28]

The power for all the gauges comes from one source. On my Camaro cluster that one wire split off into a few others as that cluster had two plugs originaly. But if it splits off into more wires you will see them in the plug. Same with the ground(s).
The lighting has to come from the headlight switch. Maybe a gray wire. Easy to tell, touch a test light to it and turn on the headlight switch.


Oh and I can't wait..... want a pic of the cluster now!

[greyhnd]

Thanks Mike for the quick reply. I'll trace the headlight wiring and see if I can find the correct wire. Sounds easy enough that even I should be able to figure it out.

[greyhnd]

I checked mydiagram again and there is a wire for dash illumination so I'm going to try it first and see if the gauge lighting will dim.

According to the diagram I have, there are 18 pins on the dash plug. Number 1 & 3 are pink/blk and labeled IGN/GAUGES, which seems to me pretty self explanatory. I'll be using them for power/hot. Looks like only one ground pin and I'm trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to get everything grounded in just one spot. Does anyone have a suggestion on what I can do? Possibly a ground block or would it be safe to splice into the one ground wire and connect the spliced wire to another terminal?

One final question. I'm using the GM Weather Pack terminals, but I can't justify spending a ton on a crimping tool. Will I be able to crimp the terminals okay with my regular crimper?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[MadMikeZ28]

I think its a gray wire for dash lights. That will also dim them.

On your grounds, you have gauges with screw terminals right? Hook the ground wire from one gauge to the next, then from that gauge to the next and so on until you get to the jast gauge and you can hook that one into the ground wire. Its just hooking all the gauges grounds in series. You can tap into that for the lights ground also.

I did not use a crimping tool for my small connectors. I have some small needle nose and wire cutters and such, like jewler's pliers, that I used to bend the small tabs over the stripped wire and crimp tight.

I have been waiting...... Where are the progress pics!
You're starting to piss me off!

[jtcfanof3]

Any light will dim when its connected to a rheostat which is what the dimmer switch is on the dash. So as long as you connect your lights like stock they will dim.

[greyhnd]

Mike - Wiring the grounds in series makes good sense. Can I do the same with the hot wires for the gauges or will that cause a problem with power as I "go down the line", so to speak? I'm using the ring terminals on the wire ends so that should be easy.

I'm working on getting some pics of my progress. I found my old digital camera and snapped a few, but I'm having a problem getting them transfered to my pc so I can post them. Patience WeedHopper!!

jtc - check, check and double check. I need to take a couple extra brain pills this week so I can remember all this stuff.

[bobditts]

Quote: Originally Posted by greyhnd

Mike - Wiring the grounds in series makes good sense. Can I do the same with the hot wires for the gauges or will that cause a problem with power as I "go down the line", so to speak? I'm using the ring terminals on the wire ends so that should be easy.

as long as you are wiring the power/ground in series (seperate to each other) and not the guages themselves in series, you will be OK. That is how the stock guages are wired up anyways.

[phantom_mia]

i hope im not overstepping my self here but grey im not sure i follow you on "Wiring the grounds in series" lights in series is not a recommended idea, we all know what happens at christmas time when one light bulb goes out on a tree wired in series, the hole friggin tree goes dark. i'm hoping its what your calling "series" im adding a sketch just to clarify

[bobditts]

thats not what we are referring to. We arent wiring the guages in series, just using 1 power wire for each guage, and one ground for each guage. The power and ground are seperate from each other. Here is my quick sketch. And as I mentioned earlier, this is how the stock guages are wired.

[MadMikeZ28]

I said just the gauges, not the lights. Start with one grounded and hook it to the next gauge and so on. Basically its parallel but going from one gauge to the next stating series made it sound more sensible. We know we don't hook the power to the negative on a gauge and I did not say to do that.The same goes for the power.
Greyhnd,
The lighting ground can aslo be grounded to the terminal on your gauge if that makes it easy for you. For the lights power hook them all together and to the gray wire (me thinks).

[phantom_mia]

mike: it just that he said series and it got a little cornfusing 3 pig tails from loads to a pig tail from a ground is a parallel circuit, by definition a series circuit has a single path for electricity, i was just making sure cause ive been following this thread

bobditts: that's a parallel circuit(multiple pathways for electricity).