Precise1 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Ok, now that I have a 'new' 95XE that is not terminally frame damaged like the one I have driven for the last 4 years, there are many things that I plan to upgrade/install/customize... One of which items is what I mentioned is what I am used to having and feel is necessary. Oil pressure, volt meter, coolant temp gauges, not just idiot lights and a relative gauge. Do the SE or LE packages include this? Are they dash gauges or elsewhere? Is it feasible to retrofit into a XE or should I just go with an aftermarket unit? Thanks for the input. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrano1992 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Oil pressure, volt meter, coolant temp gauges, not just idiot lights and a relative gauge. AFAIK, only Nissan Patrol GR (Y60) had oil pressure gauge on dash. 1987-95 Pathfinders/Terrano's does not have this item. You'll need aftermarket unit (gauge with suitable pressure sender), if you want it. Some old modifications of Pathfinder dashboards ("orange digits", probably 87..89 year) had a voltmeter. But this gauge disappeared on latest models. I think, installing another aftermarket unit is a easy way (especially because you have 95 Pathy with "round" dash, so old "square" gauges will not fit to your panel). Coolant temp gauge is relative, but you can "DIY" calibrate it. Thermal transmitter resistance is 70-90 Ohm at 60 deg.C (140 deg.F) and 21-24 Ohm at 100C (212F). Take any suitable resistor with this resistance (100 Ohm 2 Watts variable resistor and ohmmeter/multimeter will be more handy), remove connector from transmitter, connect resistor between connector and ground and check/mark gauge needle position... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Thank you Sir!! The information on calibrating the coolant gauge is almost more than I know what to do with, but is valuable none the less. I think I had better just find an aftermarket 3 gauge cluster that is suitable. Being a machinist is handy as I can made adapters, mounting hardware, etc... It is a little disappointing as my old D720 pickup had the oil pressure and volt meter gauge from the factory; they told me enough to keep from breaking down or at least stopping where I chose. I don't see any less need for them these days... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Probably because half the idiots today wouldn't know what they mean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I've thought about swapping my OE dash for one of these. from Nordskog very picy project but it would be kool. untill then individual guages would have to be the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 You might give Equus a try. They sell a 2"-3 gauge kit that's pretty easy to find a place for. You can pick something like this up at Oreilly for $30-40. I used them for years in the Sentra w/o issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrano1992 Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 It is a little disappointing as my old D720 pickup had the oil pressure and volt meter gauge from the factory; they told me enough to keep from breaking down or at least stopping where I chose. I don't see any less need for them these days... Yes, I agree. I love "large bright red lamp", which tells me "check all things, something is wrong". But where are gauges to check "what is wrong" without special service tools? In that case "red lamp" tells me "immediately stop and call authorised service", but not a "check all systems"... But I disagree your opinion about coolant temp gauge. Had calibrated mine (and thermal transmitter) 2 yrs ago. I know which temp (+-5 deg.C) corresponds to any position of needle and don't have need for digits written at gauge scale. When I drive my rig, I don't read accurate values from gauges anyway - just a fleeting glance to dash to make sure that "all systems are nominal"... So, aftermarket coolant gauge is excess thing for me. I prefer "outer air temp" or other meter instead of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 I agree with you, on both things but if I can set up a 3 gauge cluster almost as easy as a 2, hey, why not... You might give Equus a try. Yep, that was one of the first ones that I found while searching... I've thought about swapping my OE dash for one of these. Those do look cool, but I'd rather save that kind of $ for a performance enhancement rather than visual. Headers or cool dash cluster? Easy choice for me... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Crazy, I have a question for you... If the vehicle's original temperature sending unit is used by the computerfor engine control functions, DO NOT REPLACE. Consult the dealer (or a professional) to determine if the new sending unit can be installed in an alternate location on the engine. If no suitable location is found, this gauge is not suitable for your application. Did your Sentra's ECU hook up to the temp sender unit? I'm sure the pathys do? What is the work around for this? Thanks. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 (edited) Crazy, I have a question for you...Did your Sentra's ECU hook up to the temp sender unit? I'm sure the pathys do? What is the work around for this? Thanks. B I believe so, but I never tested the theory. The gauge set comes w/ a separate thermocouple. You either find a port in the block as recomended (great for V-8, bad for 4 cyl w/ shallow water jackets), or splice your rad hose. There are in-line kits available. I went another route. I drilled and tapped the neck for the upper hose using a part taken from a GA16i. Unfortunately, the forum w/ the write-up I posted is gone, so all I have left are a few CarDomain pics. Now, I did scrap the oil pressure sensor and run the line for the mechanical gauge in its place. I never had any problems out of it. However, you might want consider something like a T fitting so you can run both... Just to be sure. Edited October 12, 2008 by crazyhayseed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 Now, I did scrap the oil pressure sensor and run the line for the mechanical gauge in its place.I never had any problems out of it. However, you might want consider something like a T fitting so you can run both... Just to be sure. Agreed, that's exactly what I plan to do... I think I answered my own question though. There are 2 sensors at the base of the upper radiator hose!! I'm thinking that one is for the ECU and the other for the dash gauge; a quick look in my FSM when I get back from the store should tell me. I wonder if I can T that as well to keep both gauges and 'calibrate' the one in the dash... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 My wife's former 94 D-21 had factory triple guages under the radio. You might be able to get a set of those for your's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I wonder if I can T that as well to keep both gauges and 'calibrate' the one in the dash... B I dunno. The thermocouple is pretty long. I don't know that it will fit in the stock position. Piping for a T might be trouble. I would recommend going to the parts store and looking at them before you buy so you can plan the installation. Personally, a transmission temp gauge is higher on my priorities. That AT gets hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 (edited) Oil pressure, volt meter, coolant temp gauges, not just idiot lights and a relative gauge. Do the SE or LE packages include this? Are they dash gauges or elsewhere? Is it feasible to retrofit into a XE or should I just go with an aftermarket unit? My 87 SE has all three in the dash cluster stock. Edited October 13, 2008 by jj big shoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 My 87 SE has all three in the dash cluster stock. BASTARD!!! Lucky Bastard, that is... My wife's former 94 D-21 had factory triple guages under the radio. NICE!! I can get a set with sensors for <$50 though so I don't know if it is worth the trouble. Still, I may go to the local U-Pull-It next weekend and just be a scrounge rat... If nothing else, I can get enough bolts to pay for the entry fee. I dunno. The thermocouple is pretty long. I don't know that it will fit in the stock position.Piping for a T might be trouble. Good point... There seems to be a bit of room though and I can always make an angled/offset unit. I'll definitely ask about the length now!! I took a hard look today, and I don't have much good room to put them it, so I may just go with separate 1" gauges and mount them below the radio. Only 1.7"- real estate there... Well, where to put the CB, I don't thing that was going to fit regardless. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrano1992 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I think I answered my own question though. There are 2 sensors at the base of the upper radiator hose!! I'm thinking that one is for the ECU and the other for the dash gauge Yes. The front sensor (with single-wire connection) is for dash, and the rear (two wires connection) - for ECU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 There is room in the 95. It just depends how much hacking you're willing to do and what kind of stereo you're using. I wrestled w/ the CB idea for months before I came up w/ my current set-up. I wanted to use my full-size Galaxy radio, so mounting in the dash wasn't possible. So I removed the bottom air ducts (useless anyway IMO) and worked the plastic to fit. Doing it this way left room in the dash for later. My plan was to swap the pocket for a scanner, but it would work just as well for a gauge cluster. With a 1 DIN head unit and a hacksaw, you should be in business. Like so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Well, the PO installed the stereo where you have the yellow arrow pointed. Below it I have a bare strip about 1.7" tall and 7+ inches wide. Three 1" gauges would fit well with room for a few switches. That seems like a good place for the CB and perhaps I can put the power inverter on the other side to balance things out... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 Yes. The front sensor (with single-wire connection) is for dash, and the rear (two wires connection) - for ECU. Thank you for the confirmation, the FSM was not clear on it. Or at least not where I looked... I may go with your calibration method for the temperature gauge though, I have to figure out how best to use the little room there is. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 You could do the ol' ashtray delete. These are for the adjustable shock controller and measure 1 3/4" in diameter. You could prolly squeeze a third guage in where the lighter is. It'll take a bit of hacking since there's a metal bar on the trim above the ashtray, nothing a Dremmel can't handle, though. I used a scrap piece of plexi, painted the back and scuffed the front with a Scotch Brite pad so it wouldn't look too glossy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 You could do the ol' ashtray delete. Ooooh! That's cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) I've been putting these voltmeters in most of my rigs: http://www.datel.com/data/meters/20lcd-01-dcm.pdf Tiny, extremely accurate, easy to mount and wire in. Only downside is no back lighting, but exact voltage is not something I need to monitor constantly. They do have lighted versions if you're willing to do more research and wiring: http://store.cd4power.com/cgi-bin/cd4power...58/Catalog/1043 Edited October 15, 2008 by mws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyhayseed Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I've been putting these voltmeters in most of my rigs:http://www.datel.com/data/meters/20lcd-01-dcm.pdf Tiny, extremely accurate, easy to mount and wire in. Only downside is no back lighting, but exact voltage is not something I need to monitor constantly. They do have lighted versions if you're willing to do more research and wiring: http://store.cd4power.com/cgi-bin/cd4power...58/Catalog/1043 Wow! That's cool too! I dig the blue one. Though, $60 is pretty steep for a voltmeter. I never really thought about it when I bought my cheapo Sunpro gauge, but we might have some meters like this laying around the factory... Maybe time for a store room raid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yozsi Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 i would go for isspro guages, i have been using them for a while in diesel trucks and my current truck. they look clean, affordable, and are dead accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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