FZJ80 Aftermarket Temperature Gauge

[MoGas]

One of the most useful mods I ever did to my 80 was to add an aftermarket water temperature gauge.

There is a fantastic thread on 'Mud about that has some really over the top analysis about this.

I know on OBD II rigs, you can read the temperature from a Scangauge, however, it is reading from the ECU. Adding an additional, fully independent gauge provides redundancy. Being an aircraft mechanic, I like redundancy.

I also like that my gauge reads the water temp after the water has done all it's work. My gauge typically reads 180-195.

Here are pics of my install:
Auto Meter #4337 gauge.

I used this pod for mounting.

This is where my sending unit is. The key is pointing to the sender.

I am going to replace my gauge with the Auto Meter model #4354 because it has more graduations and the warning light.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Dave

 

[Klierslc]

Dave,

Have you done the temp guage mod too? After tweaking the factory guage, I didn't see the need to add an aftermarket unit.

 

[MoGas]

Dave,

Have you done the temp guage mod too? After tweaking the factory guage, I didn't see the need to add an aftermarket unit.

No. I really hate taking my dash apart. It seems like I always break some expensive plastic part with my ham fisted approach.

I really like having a fully independent gauge, too.

Dave

 

[Schattenjager]

Could you help a nob like me more easily ID where that sending unit is?

Also, did you wire for illumination? If so, what did you hook into?

Thanks, as always, for your contributions to the tech of Cruiserdom.
:victory:

 

[MoGas]

Follow the upper radiator hose back towards the engine. It is a big pipe looking thing. There is a boss cast into it that is probably 1/2-3/4 inch diameter. Right there is where I drilled the hole for the sender.

I powered the illumination through a circuit that is hot when running. I turn car on, light go on, I turn car off, light go off.

I'm going to be pulling my engine out, so I will probably wire it in to the dash light circuit. If you do wire it through the dash light, you have to use both wires for dimming capabilities. IIRC, one is white with a black tracer and the other is green with a black tracer. Don't take that as gospel. I'll have to look at the book to be sure.