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duhtroll
08-25-2010, 12:06 PM
OK I have done some looking and want to finally get a matching set of gauges. I am looking at the Autometers because they are the closest to OEM and I want things to look "stock" as much as possible (gauge pod notwithstanding).

The thing I can't seem to find is whether or not the base Autometers are lit. Descriptions don't say and I can't seem to find pics. I assume they are but want to be sure.

Also, I have been checking prices and was hoping someone could post a source if they have better prices than Summit - just curious.

I will be doing
Wideband
Trans. Temp
Boost (already have which is another reason)
Real Oil
Volt

I figure the wideband and boost will go on the pillar and the trans. temp will go where the lighter is.

I could go to fleabay and get them most likely - just wondering who has done this and what they paid - also how they liked it (pics would be great!) I'm trying to guesstimate the total cost of this project.

Thoughts?
MM2004
08-25-2010, 12:15 PM
It might be of help to you in posting part numbers of the gauges you are interested in, or a web page?

;)

Just throwing it out there.

Mike.
RF Overlord
08-25-2010, 12:25 PM
troll, both the UltraLite and UltraLite II gauges are lit. The basic UltraLites are perimeter-lit with an incandescent bulb (replaceable) while the IIs are LED back-lit. They both look the same in daylight, but the IIs are far more legible at night.
Joe Walsh
08-25-2010, 12:30 PM
troll, both the UltraLite and UltraLite II gauges are lit. The basic UltraLites are perimeter-lit with an incandescent bulb (replaceable) while the IIs are LED back-lit. They both look the same in daylight, but the IIs are far more legible at night.

So the IIs look exactly like our OEM gauges at night?
I bought original style UltraLite gauges way back when they were the only UltraLite gauge available.
They look great during the day, but at night the perimeter lighting is dim/hard to read and does not match the backlit OEM gauges.

BTW: I bought all my Autometer gauges at Summit Racing. They had the best prices when I purchased my gauges.
RF Overlord
08-25-2010, 12:55 PM
Joe:

No, not exactly.

Both of them look almost identical to OEM in the daylight. With the IIs at night, the effect is very much like the instrument cluster, where the background turns from silver to black, but the numbers are white instead of green.
Joe Walsh
08-25-2010, 12:57 PM
Joe:

No, not exactly.

Both of them look almost identical to OEM in the daylight. With the IIs at night, the effect is very much like the instrument cluster, where the background turns from silver to black, but the numbers are white instead of green.

Could that be corrected with a green LED bulb change?

Please say 'NO' then I won't be tempted to change out all of my UltraLite I gauges....:o
RF Overlord
08-25-2010, 01:05 PM
Heh...well, you could change the LED, but you have to remove the bezel and face of the gauge to get at it...it's not socketed like the OEM and the basic UltraLites.
tbone
08-25-2010, 01:11 PM
I like red guages. If I changed all the dash bulbs to red, I wonder how that would work with the green backlit guages?
RF Overlord
08-25-2010, 01:13 PM
It would be Christmas year-round in your car.
tbone
08-25-2010, 01:17 PM
It would be Christmas year-round in your car.

My 1990 Firebird Formula had beautiful red gauges. I loved turning them on at night.
tbone
08-25-2010, 01:18 PM
It would be Christmas year-round in your car.

What I mean is, would the red backlight supercede the green tint in the numbers?
duhtroll
08-25-2010, 01:23 PM
The 43xx series white-faced gauges. Enough people here have them I figured I would not need to do that. And from the responses it seems people know what I am referring to. :P


It might be of help to you in posting part numbers of the gauges you are interested in, or a web page?

;)

Just throwing it out there.

Mike.
RF Overlord
08-25-2010, 02:06 PM
What I mean is, would the red backlight supercede the green tint in the numbers?I thought you meant you were going to replace the dash lights with red and leave the gauges green...now I get you.

Since the factory gauges use translucent green numbers, you would get yellow if you used red bulbs...(red+green=yellow in light, brown in paint). If you did that to the UltraLites, you would just get a red blob of light. If you were to replace the LEDs in the UltraLite IIs, the numbers would prolly become red (-ish). I have no idea what would happen to the instrument cluster lighting as I haven't had one apart and don't know if the numbers are the same translucent construction as the gauges.
tbone
08-25-2010, 02:36 PM
hmmmmm.....Sounds like a no go. That's what I thought.

I wish we had the illumination selector like some Mustangs do.
fastblackmerc
08-25-2010, 05:49 PM
Replacement Gauges – Autometer (2 1/16)
Oil Pressure – 4327
Sending unit – 2242
Voltmeter – 4391
fastblackmerc
08-25-2010, 05:51 PM
The replacement Autometer gauges with green LEDs.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1141.jpg
fastblackmerc
08-25-2010, 05:53 PM
Why you should replace the incandescent bulbs with LEDs.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1131.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1130.jpg

The LEDs

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1129.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Gauges/DSCN1128.jpg
guspech750
08-25-2010, 06:07 PM
I bought Autometer part numbers #4391 and #4327. I like them alot. I even like them better than the stock. They look close to stock and light up green too. I bought mine on Ebay for cheaper than Summit and other companies.
babbage
08-25-2010, 07:29 PM
Duhtroll: why not get a scanguage II? Can change the color. will do: volts, water temp, trans temp and a ton of other stuff you may want.
duhtroll
08-26-2010, 06:04 AM
...because I hadn't even thought of that. That's why!

PRO: Allows me to read codes and since my xcal won't read my other car, having a scangauge could be the most FUNCTIONAL choice.

CON: It messes up the dash in an ugly way. I have no idea where I would put it and have any chance of being pleased with the look. Since I want it visible all the time, it also looks like a "hey steal this" problem and I don't want to have to hide it every time I pull into a parking lot.

And I do not see trans temp. as one of the 12 selections. Please confirm that it can do this, because the description I saw doesn't include it.

EDIT: OK I see it is in the newest version with the XGauge/Add-a-gauge. Still have to figure out where to mount it, tho'


Duhtroll: why not get a scanguage II? Can change the color. will do: volts, water temp, trans temp and a ton of other stuff you may want.
fastblackmerc
08-26-2010, 06:53 AM
...because I hadn't even thought of that. That's why!

PRO: Allows me to read codes and since my xcal won't read my other car, having a scangauge could be the most FUNCTIONAL choice.

CON: It messes up the dash in an ugly way. I have no idea where I would put it and have any chance of being pleased with the look. Since I want it visible all the time, it also looks like a "hey steal this" problem and I don't want to have to hide it every time I pull into a parking lot.

And I do not see trans temp. as one of the 12 selections. Please confirm that it can do this, because the description I saw doesn't include it.

EDIT: OK I see it is in the newest version with the XGauge/Add-a-gauge. Still have to figure out where to mount it, tho'

I mounted mine in the overhead console in place of the compass. I could do another one if needed, just send me the parts.
duhtroll
08-26-2010, 07:22 AM
Thanks for the offer, but I am not looking to tear apart anything existing in the car, save maybe replacing gauges with better ones. This mount would be one where I can remove it and put it in another vehicle when needed.


I mounted mine in the overhead console in place of the compass. I could do another one if needed, just send me the parts.
babbage
08-27-2010, 06:59 AM
I put mine, on the dash with a dab of RTV, right behind the registration and inspection stickers at a slight angle. It's very easy to glance at while driving, looks neat and is out of the way.
duhtroll
08-27-2010, 07:44 AM
Out here in the stix we don't have registration and inspection stickers so I don't know exactly what you mean. I assume you mean driver's lower corner of the windshield?

Also, can someone explain the difference between what the Scangauge offers and the use of a wideband? Since I have neither I am in need of assistance.



I put mine, on the dash with a dab of RTV, right behind the registration and inspection stickers at a slight angle. It's very easy to glance at while driving, looks neat and is out of the way.
babbage
08-27-2010, 07:13 PM
Out here in the stix we don't have registration and inspection stickers so I don't know exactly what you mean. I assume you mean driver's lower corner of the windshield?

Also, can someone explain the difference between what the Scangauge offers and the use of a wideband? Since I have neither I am in need of assistance.

You'd need both, as the SG isn't a wideband - which needs its own sensor plugged into the lower O2 bungs, some like lideo like it before the cats.

With the SGII can monitor 4 things at once. I usually monitor: MPH, RPM, WT and TT

Water Temp and Trans Temp (for the lapers)