Complete box panther gauge installation how-to

[85crownHPP]

becuase they are good in so many ways.

first things first, 12 volts doesnt sound like much but if you dont know what you are doing, step away from the wire strippers!

I'll tell you how i installed and wired mine, no warranties expressed or implied!

I used my cig lighter wiring for my power source for a relay that is activated by the car radio Key-On feed.
There is a nice plate of handy ground tabs behind the ashtray area... use em!
The ashtray has a light... I snipped the socket off and use the blue/red wire for gauge illumination and the the black wire (ground) as the ground for the relay.

Now!
electric gauges all need KO power and ground, illumination, and a line going to thier sensor(except volts - you'd be done already!)


for basic electronics, go here:

http://www.bcae1.com/

[85crownHPP]

Coolant Temperature

Fact: your only temperature feedback is the engine light whcih tends to come on after you are already overheating

replace the stock sensor found here, next the the alternator bracket brace, with the sensor that comes with the gauge (adapters will be needed, usually included)

(image shows a mechanical type sensor and tubing)

[85crownHPP]

Oil Pressure

FACT: your oil pressure feedback consists of a light that comes on at 6psi... TOO LATE!!!

replace the stock sender found here, next to the oil filter. this also requires adapters and a 26mm 12pt socket to remove the old sender...



Due to the size of the new oil sensor you need some more fittings from lowes or somewhere... I used a 2 1/2" nipple and elbow here, both 1/4 size NPT thread.
In this pic, I used some brass plated copper pieces... these have broken on some members here. Use STEEL if you can, or try to find the factory piece from a mustang (made of aluminum) or the factory piece from a pushrod V-8 F-series truck (made of steel)

[85crownHPP]

TACHOMETER

the only hard part is figuring out where to put it!

simply tap into the coil, here it appears to be in the green wire.

[85crownHPP]

VACUUM

a vacuum gauge will show signs of vacuum leaks, burnt valves, and some other engine conditions.
Can also be "tee'd" into vacuum lines for various devices (like the EGR valve) to see if/when they are operating.

tap into an manifold vacuum source (usually a red line in a vacuum map, or colored red but too dirty to see)

[85crownHPP]

AIR FUEL RATIO

is not so important but is almost too easy to install (for CFI anyway)... the one wire O2 sensor gets tapped and a ground needs to be made on the block.



its nice to know things are running ideal and it sure is a nice light show

[RugerP97DC]

Are your gauges all electrical?

[85crownHPP]

all except the mechanical coolant temp gauge (to the left of the console) and the vacuum.
I have an electrical temperature gauge in the console, but I cant decide to repalce the mechanical coolant gauge or use it for transmission fluid temperature... hhhmmmmm

[grandpaslincoln]

Cooooool!

I got gauges, made a nice little home for them too, but where did you get your oil pressure sender?

Also, I can't seem to get my ammeter to work, from the instructions I got, it says to tap into a wire that supplies the fuse block or some shit. I did that, and it don't work. What am I doing wrong? I am pretty good with elecronics and shit, but I can't seem to grasp this concept!!!!

Good writeup!!!!

[85crownHPP]

the electric oil pressure sender came with the guage! it should come with any electric gauge bought new.

I actually havent wired up an ammeter yet... so I dunno about that - lol

[grandpaslincoln]

Mine didn't come with a sender. I thought it was stupid myself. It's a Sunpro gauge too, I thought they were supposed to be good.

[Paul_]

thats some great info man

[85crownHPP]

GL - are you sure its an electric gauge??
where'd you get it from?

[grandpaslincoln]

Yep, it's an electric gauge. There are three posts on teh back for +, - and the sensor connection.

I got the gauge (in fact all my guages) from Partsamerica.com. I can't seem to locate a sensor to go with this thing at partsamerica either.

[marquisman]

i gots one thats electrical too!