Complete box panther gauge installation how-to

[p71towny]

Yeah, its under padding, its a whore to get to.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Mine is the grommet that goes around the steering linkage...

[monterey1962]

How high up is that grommet from the gas pedal? Is it under padding or something? I must have been looking right over it.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I had to gack a hole in my grommit right above the gas pedal. It is a bitch to run the lines through. You might have to get a coat hanger, bend it straight and duct tape your wires to that and push it through. I'll try to post pics of mine when I find the cable for our digital camera.

:stupid:

However, make sure you arent binding anywhere, like around the steering shaft..

(I was trying to find a pic justin used to show the stuff going thru the grommet, but I cannot find it...)

[p71towny]

I had to gack a hole in my grommit right above the gas pedal. It is a bitch to run the lines through. You might have to get a coat hanger, bend it straight and duct tape your wires to that and push it through. I'll try to post pics of mine when I find the cable for our digital camera.

[monterey1962]

Three big problems:

1. I cannot find any way to get through the firewall. I'm open to all suggestions on how to get through. There are no grommets or openings like that earlier pic and there aren't any below the brake booster. Is this because you guys are CFI/Carb and I'm EFI? Is there a different build to the cars' firewall?

2. Access to the oil sending unit location. The plate that holds the air filter box is bolted to the fucking manifold bolts. I soaked 'em with PB blaster. Two came out fine, but guess what, that's right, stripped the third one. I see only the following options: 1. pull the power steering pump and move it over (pain in the ass); or 2. take the dremel and cut that fucking third support. Again, I'm open to all suggestions.

3. I'm running out of time. Fuckin' cold weather is setting in on Friday, so I need to get this done, or at least get all the wiring strung, by tomorrow afternoon.

[Grand Marquis GT]

Oh and the 'devils finger' is a rubber chilli pepper from a set of 'chilli pepper' Xmas lights that I stuck on there one night (a special night) and there it remains

Yeha, I remember asking you about that when I was riding in your car too

[85crownHPP]

yep, its that easy - a volt meter only needs any 12 switched source to run.
An ammeter is dangerous becuase you are essentially re-routing ALL the current running through the car into your dash and that gauge. It would need at least 10 gauge wire.
The copper tubing for the mechanical temperature guage is filled with a gas - its sealed off from the coolant but you still have to make sure you dont kink or break the tubing.

Oh and the 'devils finger' is a rubber chilli pepper from a set of 'chilli pepper' Xmas lights that I stuck on there one night (a special night) and there it remains

[monterey1962]

Interesting. So the only lines I need to run through the firewall are the temp sensor line, oil pressure sensor wire, and my wire for the new trunk light.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I tapped into some wire off my fuse panel.

Works great.

[monterey1962]

That's all it needs??? WTF? It can't be that easy, can it?

Btw, anyone have a diagram of the fuse panel for an '88 GM? Would it be the same as the '87 Cougar fuse panel? '88 manual doesn't show a diagram, but the Cougar manual does.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I don't even hook into any wire under the hood...

I think I tapped into some hot wire under the dash..

[monterey1962]

Damnit, I have to buy another gauge? My ProSource gauge says amps on the front, so I suppose that's crap.

Still, where do you hook in under the hood for the volt meter? I might as well just run all the wiring right away.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I forget the site, but it explains why an ammeter is more dangerous, and all you really need is a voltmeter...

[monterey1962]

1. A volt meter would be a better way to go, safer as well.

Safer? How? What's the difference anyway? Is a fuse needed in the line?