Gauges

Even on a stock truck there are a few gauges that are essential for safe driving and preventative measures.

These gauges are as follows:

• The pyrometer is beneficial for observing your exhaust gas temperatures. The importance is to see if you are exceeding the safe limit or if you are turning off your engine before proper cool down. A safe margin for pre-turbo exhaust gas temperatures is between 1250F-1300F. Spikes of 1350F for less then a minute are ok. If you see higher then normal exhaust gas temperatures and are experiencing more smoke and low power, check the intercooler hose clamps. They may appear to be tight but may leak under load. Always be sure that the pre-turbo exhaust gas temperature is down to at least 300F before shutting off the engine.

• A turbo boost or manifold pressure gauge. This helps to monitor if you have lost pressure sooner then later so that you can address an issue before it becomes critical. A boost gauge works hand in hand with the pyrometer. Boost limits vary depending on the modifcations done to the engine.

• A fuel pressure gauge is a good idea for the 2nd generation 24 valve equipped trucks. An inherent problem of low fuel pressure has made it important to have a gauge in order to monitor the fluctuations before a complete failure. Average fuel pressure at idle is 15 psi. The average fuel pressure for cruising is 12 psi and at wide open throttle [WOT] it should never drop below 8 psi on a factory lift pump that is functioning normally. Daimler/Chrysler says if the pressure falls below 10 psi, the lift pump is faulty.

• An automatic transmission temperature gauge is a great addition where applicable. The fluid line pressure is low to begin with on the Dodge Ram, so adding power and a load can stress and heat the tranamission fast. This gauge can save you the cost of a transmission if you are out of warranty.

Written By Scotty