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Electrical Gauges installed!

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  #1  
Old 02-20-2008 | 04:47 PM
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Gauges installed!

I just thought I would post some pics of my Boost and Water Temp gauges. Night Lighting from the side. I used the anti glare shields.
 

Last edited by masterd78; 02-20-2008 at 04:50 PM.
  #2  
Old 02-20-2008 | 04:47 PM
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Daytime Lighting

 

Last edited by masterd78; 02-20-2008 at 04:49 PM.
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Old 02-20-2008 | 04:49 PM
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Night Lighting!

 
  #4  
Old 02-20-2008 | 04:51 PM
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Daytime Lighting from the side.

 
  #5  
Old 02-20-2008 | 04:51 PM
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:O looks NICEEEE! hahah dang, your interior seems so clean.
 
  #6  
Old 02-20-2008 | 04:52 PM
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Well when your done working in it all day, you gotta clean up for pictures...right?
 
  #7  
Old 02-20-2008 | 05:02 PM
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is it hard to install? I dont want to have to drill into anything to install the gauges.
 
  #8  
Old 02-20-2008 | 06:08 PM
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2 small drill holes. Very easy. One in the plastic firewall, and one in the Fluid Resevoir. That one was a little scary, but it was actually really easy. The boost gauge took me a little longer, due to the fact that I had to wire all the power and illumination up to that one. Once I did that, the water temp was simple. I would say the boost took me a good 2 hours, because you have to take your car all apart, and wire the power, ground, and illumination. The water temp took all of about 15 minutes. Just do it!!
 
  #9  
Old 02-20-2008 | 06:12 PM
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Those just look plain awesome. Man I wish they came with white backgrounds like the stock.

With the water temp sensor, you need to drain the tank right? Seems like it would be easy to get bits of plastic from drilling in there. Got any pictures?!
 
  #10  
Old 02-20-2008 | 06:12 PM
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how does the boost measure the pressure? thats the gauge im worried about... i dont want to drill holes in the intake side.

BTW! forgot to mention how good it looks!!
 
  #11  
Old 02-20-2008 | 06:29 PM
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Very cool. White faces would put it over the top but they look darn nice as it is.
 
  #12  
Old 02-20-2008 | 06:33 PM
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...nice job......they look OEM to me....
 
  #13  
Old 02-20-2008 | 08:19 PM
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With the water temp, I just drilled very slowly and kept pulling out the pieces of plastic. I looked afterwards, and didn't notice any shavings in the tank. As for the boost, that is way easy! In fact that is easier than the water temp. You take off the intake, find the MAF sensor, undo it and put in the Alta adapter. Reinstall the sensor on top of the adapter and voila your done. Really easy. As for the white faces, I thought the same before. But now having them I really like the contrast, and having them black totally out when off is freakin sweet.
 
  #14  
Old 02-20-2008 | 09:20 PM
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Very very nice
 
  #15  
Old 02-21-2008 | 05:24 AM
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Although masterd78 has done a great job and those Alta gauges look nice, they still aint the OEM ones im looking for! However i have a funny feeling that there wont be any OEM gauges... dunno i just have a funny feeling about it and it looks like i might have to settle with the Alta gauges!
masterd78 is there any chance you might be able to make us a photo (or video) how to install all those gauges, i know its a long shot, but had to ask!
 
  #16  
Old 02-21-2008 | 07:19 AM
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I don't have my gauge yet, but I was wondering if there is any way to remove the cover of the gauge to gain access to the face. Because if you could I don't see any reason Lyle from Vinyl Styles couldn't whip up something like this, but color-matched to the stock gauges.

 
  #17  
Old 02-21-2008 | 09:02 AM
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I'm sure you can take them apart to gain access for a cover, but after spending the money and time to install them I'd be very nervous to take apart the gauges. I have taken apart gauges before in my '04 Cougar, and put an overlay on. Then I had to go to a BIG parking lot and drive around in a analysis mode to put the needles back on in the right place. I know it would seem like you could just take the needle off and put it back in the same spot, but there is a very small margin for error. The pin that holds the needles on are usually very very small. I don't know, my 2 cents. Anyway, I could take some pics of my install. Give me til a little later today. Thanks!
 
  #18  
Old 02-21-2008 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by masterd78
I'm sure you can take them apart to gain access for a cover, but after spending the money and time to install them I'd be very nervous to take apart the gauges. I have taken apart gauges before in my '04 Cougar, and put an overlay on. Then I had to go to a BIG parking lot and drive around in a analysis mode to put the needles back on in the right place. I know it would seem like you could just take the needle off and put it back in the same spot, but there is a very small margin for error. The pin that holds the needles on are usually very very small. I don't know, my 2 cents. Anyway, I could take some pics of my install. Give me til a little later today. Thanks!
Cool, thanks for the reply! Honestly I doubt I would do the overlay even If it was an option, because IMO the gauge looks fine. I was just throwing out an idea that may help people looking for an OEM look.

especially with the 2 I think it looks factory


Any tips on the install?
 

Last edited by chili_red07; 02-21-2008 at 09:07 AM. Reason: a little clarification
  #19  
Old 02-21-2008 | 09:18 AM
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Seriously, I will post some pics later. But it really seems harder than it is. We ran into a couple little problems. Like when we plugged everything in, it lit up, but not the way I wanted. So I changed the wiring like the instructions say and then I didn't get anything. Come to find out the connection of one wire onto the guage wasn't tight. That took like 20 min to figure out. Other than that it's simple. If you have ever installed an amp into a car this isn't any harder than that. I will take some pics later, and if anyone needs help, feel free to ask. I am willing to take pics of whatever you want as long as I don't have to take "everything" apart again.

Oh one more thing. The kits come with "extra stuff." I think the wiring kit's are a generic setup. There were quite a few things not used. That can confuse you. The pics in the instructions kinda sucked. They were so dark. I had to call Alta a couple of times for clarification on the pictures. Thanks Alta for helping me out!
 

Last edited by masterd78; 02-21-2008 at 09:21 AM.
  #20  
Old 02-21-2008 | 10:14 AM
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If one could ever make a video tutorial/how to in installing those things (gauges)
i think that be the coolest help one can make for us, gauge lovers!
 
  #21  
Old 02-21-2008 | 10:21 AM
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That would be cool, but it would also be a pain in the ****. I can show pics of where I mounted stuff, and routed stuff and that will show you how easy it really is. I am going home for lunch in about 10 minutes and I can take some pics. So I will post some pics in about an hour.
 
  #22  
Old 02-21-2008 | 01:02 PM
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Here is the water temp sensor mounted!

 
  #23  
Old 02-21-2008 | 01:03 PM
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Here is the wire running into the cockpit for the water temp.

 
  #24  
Old 02-21-2008 | 01:04 PM
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Water temp wire again going behind the plastic firewall.

 
  #25  
Old 02-21-2008 | 01:05 PM
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Here is a picture of the Alta adapter hooked up.

 


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