Oil Pressure Gauge, Sending Unit, etc.

So I did a search and I came up with these two threads:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/117896-diy-oil-pressure-sending-unit-install.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/39706-ideas-oil-pressure-send-unit-install.html

I am still very confused on what is the best way to allow me to read my oil pressure. Should I get this with a gauge?:
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/oilfilter-sender-adapter-34unf-16.aspx


And does anyone know what size thread I need to get?

 

I just installed an oil temp and oil pressure gauge in my truck. I picked up an adapter plate like what you posted for the sending units and I had two gauges laying around. 3/4" UNF 16 is the adapter type that you want to use.

 

Was there any problem screwing in the adapter plate with the shield around the oil filter? And is the sending unit in the way of anything? Was it pretty easy to run the cables? And where did you mount the gauges?

Sorry for all the questions. Haha

 

Bump

 

Any ideas?

 

Sorry for the long response time. The adapter plate rotates freely of the bolt until you tighten it fully. I put the two sensors in the plate and then positioned and bolted the plate down. No problems clearing the shield around the filter.

I picked up the a-pillar pod from Lotek and installed my gauges there. It took a little bit of trimming to get the panel to fit correctly but it looks great.

Cabling was where it got fun. The best way to run the cables is through one of the grommets going through the firewall. I tried running the cables through one of the holes near an existing wiring harness but after many attempts I just stabbed a screwdriver through one of the grommets and ran the wiring through there and up through the dash. You will need a couple of add-a-circuits for the gauges as they require a constant power and switched power source as well as a ground and an optional dimming connection.

 

Awesome this helps a lot. I'll be doing this when I have the money

 

Any chance you would be able to get me some pictures of your oil filter location with this installed?

 

I'll put some pictures up this afternoon when I finish my shift

 

Awesome. Thanks man!

 

Here are the gauges installed



I used a Prosport adapter plate but you get the idea.



Another angle with the temp and pressure sensors attached. The little bolts in the side plug the two extra sensor ports on the adapter.



A picture of the wiring going through the firewall. Not the prettiest but I haven't declared it done yet because I still plan to add a boost and AFR gauge to my steering column

 

I understand an oil temp. gage, but why the pressure one? What I meant to say is
our trucks are relatively new. Maybe a transmission temp. gage will do you much better.

 

Those gauges pair well together and I already had an easy way to put it in. It's also a good monitor on the health/viscosity of your oil because pressures will change as oil sludge's up or if there is a blockage or failure of the oil pump.

A trans temp gauge is also a bit of work to install because you would have to splice a T-junction into one of the transmission cooler lines for the sensor.

 

I'm not too worried about my tranny temp given that I drive a stick shift. Or am I wrong for thinking this way?

The adapter plate is for an oil cooler right? I don't need to get one if I just need the gauges?

 

^ You got it right on the manual transmission. Automatic transmission failures are often caused by heat so it is a major concern. I'm not too concerned considering the 5-Speed Auto is designed to work with a V8 engine so how much damage can the V6 really do?

You need the adapter plate as that is where the sensors for the gauges plug into. Otherwise, you would have to tap into oil lines and tap in a sensor. Not worth it to me considering the plate is just a screw on piece.

 

What I meant was do I need that silver plate that you have with the lines coming out of it for the plate that the sensors go into (the blue one in your picture) to fit?

 

No, that is the oil cooler that comes with the tow package. That is not necessary in order to install the sensor plate (blue)