- Joined
- Sep 26, 2010
- Messages
- 9,807
The weather and life in general finally aligned and I was able to complete my project. After playing contortionist under the dash for several hours, my back is reminding me that I am still alive.
All in all, it was not an overly difficult task and my fish tape paid off in spades again as I routed the ¼" loom covered sensor wiring through the frame securing the loom with tie-wraps to the rear axle vent tube and the lower fan shroud housing above the front axle. I used the rubber firewall boot on the passenger side to pass the wires into the interior. Power was pulled from the ignition/accessory wire (pink/orange) in the upfitter wire pack under the dash and I tapped into the ambient lighting wiring in the passenger footwell, to provide the gauge lighting. A ½" hole was bored by hand using a drill bit to pass the wiring from under the dash to the gauge cups.
Speaking of the dash, it was necessary to remove the glovebox, the front bezel (it has the start stop button in it), and the 8.4" LCD panel to gain access to the space behind to route the wires. This trim tool kit was invaluable to removing everything without breaking anything (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRNDBYG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Each sensor has two wires (power and ground) and the gauges require three (power, ground, and illumination) so there are total of 5 wires in the red & black braided loom (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075VR7ZQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) going into each the gauge cups.
I had considered fabricating some protection plates for the sensors (using the axle cover screws to mount them), but the sensors are fairly high up and tucked behind some of the suspension components so they may not be needed. I have a new Metal Cloak covers coming so I may look into that after I have them mounted. The temperatures sensors are mounted directly into the gear oil splash stream and they work very well thus far. I can confirm the ring gears do not turn in the front axle because it has not registered any temperatures at this point and I know the gauge is working.
The rear temperature when to 160°F during a 75+ MPH dash for about 20 minutes. I will see how the temperatures fare on a road trip whenever the lock down is over. At any rate, I am very happy with the results and like the aesthetics of the installation.
Enjoy!
Rear Axle Cover:
Front Axle Cover:
All in all, it was not an overly difficult task and my fish tape paid off in spades again as I routed the ¼" loom covered sensor wiring through the frame securing the loom with tie-wraps to the rear axle vent tube and the lower fan shroud housing above the front axle. I used the rubber firewall boot on the passenger side to pass the wires into the interior. Power was pulled from the ignition/accessory wire (pink/orange) in the upfitter wire pack under the dash and I tapped into the ambient lighting wiring in the passenger footwell, to provide the gauge lighting. A ½" hole was bored by hand using a drill bit to pass the wiring from under the dash to the gauge cups.
Speaking of the dash, it was necessary to remove the glovebox, the front bezel (it has the start stop button in it), and the 8.4" LCD panel to gain access to the space behind to route the wires. This trim tool kit was invaluable to removing everything without breaking anything (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRNDBYG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Each sensor has two wires (power and ground) and the gauges require three (power, ground, and illumination) so there are total of 5 wires in the red & black braided loom (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075VR7ZQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) going into each the gauge cups.
I had considered fabricating some protection plates for the sensors (using the axle cover screws to mount them), but the sensors are fairly high up and tucked behind some of the suspension components so they may not be needed. I have a new Metal Cloak covers coming so I may look into that after I have them mounted. The temperatures sensors are mounted directly into the gear oil splash stream and they work very well thus far. I can confirm the ring gears do not turn in the front axle because it has not registered any temperatures at this point and I know the gauge is working.
The rear temperature when to 160°F during a 75+ MPH dash for about 20 minutes. I will see how the temperatures fare on a road trip whenever the lock down is over. At any rate, I am very happy with the results and like the aesthetics of the installation.
Enjoy!
Rear Axle Cover:
Front Axle Cover: