Recently bought a new to me 07(built in 06, no DPF) Pete 385 day cab. Truck has only 1 extra gauge after the 8 standard ones in front of steering wheel. wanting to add a few more gauges, wondering if anybody know if all the wires/plugs/sensors for some extra gauges are already there behind the dash? Or would adding gauges be a big project? Just thinking they may all have all the plugs and sensors pre-wired going down the assembly line, then they just plop in whatever gauges that truck is getting. Thanks
No wiring set up for other gauges. They put in the gauges you need, and give you a few "pop out" spots to put whatever else you THINK you need. 8 gauges seems like you'd have everything covered that you need to keep an eye on. Air Pressure x 2 Oil Pressure Engine Temperature Rear Axle Temperature x 2 Transmission Temperature Batteries/Volts That is 8. Other than possibly axle weight gauge, what else do you need? Or do you just like gauges?
Thanks for the reply. What are the pop outs you're talking about? My dash doesn't look like it has any pop out things from the front. Never been behind it yet though. As for my gauges, I included the speedo and tach as my 8. So no trans and diff temps. I do like gauges. But If it wasn't gonna be too hard I would have liked to add a trans, diffs, and maybe like an exhaust temp or so. But not gonna have the dealer do it I don't think they're that worth it...I did just buy the right weigh dash gauge I'm gonna install soon for my drive axle weight. Is there an easy way to cut a 2 1/16 hole in the dash? Thanks
"Pop outs" are just spots on the dash (plastic circles) where a gauge could be added without having to cut or drill a hole...Freightliner is most well known for these. Yes....they sell hollow bits (mostly for sheet rock and wood) that have a starter bit in the center, surrounded by a saw bit in different circumferences. Perfect round hole every time. And, installing the gauge for the axle weight is the easy part. As far as I know you have to run an air line to the axles...that gauge is air driven not electrical.
Thanks again. Gotcha. Yes I run a T off one of my air bags. Then run that line up to the gauge in the dash I'm gonna put in. Do you know what the best/easiest way to run the air line from the axle to the back of the dash would be? To the engine bay and through the fire wall? Or where. Thanks
In general going through the firewall is easiest, usually when they run lines at the factory they cut the holes slightly bigger than needed, run their lines and wires and seal the hole either with a grommet or a silicon sealant (like window caulking) and you can piggyback through there fairly easily. Just be careful to run your lines away from hot and moving parts like manifolds or the steering column.
Got the air line run through the firewall and up to behind my dash where I'll cut for my gauge. It is a 2 1/16" hole to cut the instructions say. Anyone know if cutting through the fake "wood" dash is gonna crack it or what not? It looks like it's a thin metal piece then the "wood" is a layer over it. Any precautions I need to take before drilling out the whole on the dash? Don't wanna crack and ruin my dash thanks
Welp the hole cut nicely and got my airline tied into the airbag and no leaks anywhere! Gauge shows a reading. Gonna calibrate when I get loaded next. Thanks for all help everyone! I appreciate it!
If you install any others, please post what you learned or where to buy them. Have a 03 385 with the same gauge set up, as in not many. Would like to get tans/difs & egt too.
