I pull a 14,000 lbs fifth wheel with a 2004.5 LLY 3500 dually. I have already straight piped it with a 4" performance exhaust. Before I start heading out over any long steep grades, I'd like to install appropriate gauges to monitor my truck. I know I need to monitor EGT and Turbo Boost. My first question is what should an appropriate turbo boost gauge top out at? My second question is what other gauges should I have? Third, is there any kit that is available out there that will let me add gauges that look custom and not look like a gauges just hanging below the dash? Lastly, I know EGT is the most important thing to watch, what I don't know is what is a "do not cross" line for EGT and where do I want to keep the EGT when pulling... especially over mountains?

As for boost, with my foot to the FLOOOOOOR from a stop to 80 mph I havent seen my boost go over 25 psi and Im stock.

EGT's doing that same run It FLYS up to about 1150 and then hits a wall and sticks there. That is on a FLAT road EMPTY. So I'd really want gauges, I know i should have done it LONG ago....

I bought the 3rd gauge as a rear diff sensor. the thing from auto meter doesnt have the right thread pitch so I'm still waiting to get it hooked up.

As for the safe limit of EGT's from what I've read I'll back out at 1300 degrees sustained, there's been alot of talk but no hard proof it will or will not hurt anything... The racers and pullers find their ways up to 1600 +++ all the time and still take it to work on Monday's...

My first question is what should an appropriate turbo boost gauge top out at?

30 or 35 psi is fine with a stock turbo.

My second question is what other gauges should I have?

Most go with a pyro to measure EGTs

Third, is there any kit that is available out there that will let me add gauges that look custom and not look like a gauges just hanging below the dash?

I went with an Autometer pillar mount painted to match my truck's interior. Trippin is a vendor here that sells an overhead mount that looks good if you want to go that route.

Lastly, I know EGT is the most important thing to watch, what I don't know is what is a "do not cross" line for EGT and where do I want to keep the EGT when pulling... especially over mountains?

I back off to keep things under 1300 for sustained periods.

How about diff temp gauge for pulling heavy?
Is that one that is needed or is it one of those cool factor gauges?

Thanks

I'd go with tranny temp before diff temp

I would also, but,doesnt your truck already have a trans temp gauge?

I just finished installing Autometer Ulatralite pyro and boost gauges in a pillar mount that I painted to match my interior. Check some of the garages and you will see alot of pillar mounts like my setup. I think it looks pretty slick. I put a 35psi gauge in mine. You can see the mods I'm running in my signature and hammered I don't go over 25-27psi maybe. As far as egt's 1100-1200 is a safe number but alot of guys, including a buddy of mine runs his at 1400-1600degrees all the time.

2004.5 dually edge EZ on level 1 pulling a gooseneck that weighs 18500lbs, and my egt's are at 1200 when I am cruising along. Any kind of hill they easly hit 1300 +. Is there anything I can do to make it run cooler other than pulling a smaller load? The edge is the only modification to the truck.

2004.5 dually edge EZ on level 1 pulling a gooseneck that weighs 18500lbs, and my egt's are at 1200 when I am cruising along. Any kind of hill they easly hit 1300 +. Is there anything I can do to make it run cooler other than pulling a smaller load? The edge is the only modification to the truck.
An exhaust would help eliminate some of the heat. I believe on your year if you look into a intake that would help also. I dont think it has any effect on the LBZ's I've read though.