HOW TO: Install B&M Transmission Temp Gauge Kit

[blueskys]

This HOW TO will cover the installation of the B&M Transmission Temperature
Gauge kit P/N 80212. This 2 1/16 DIA gauge will fit perfectly in a slightly trimmed round plastic panel on the dash of all non 4wd Titans. This high quality gauge kit can be had at most auto parts stores for about $55.

Tekonsha also makes a kit with a 2 1/16 DIA gauge, but I like the B&M one better.

What you need is:

1 EACH 10mm T-fitting P/N T10LA3C. $9

1 EACH 2 1/16 hole saw from Ace hardware P/N 24318, no pilot drill bit required. $12

3 EACH different color 14 gauge electrical wires about 4 foot long. $3

1 EACH steel tubing cutter. $8

STEP 1: Gain access to backside of bezel by firmly grabing top of dash sill and pull aft. The bezel is held in by clips and will seperate from the dash with minimal force. Once the bezel is about 2-3 inches from dash, reach behind plastic plug and push it out with your fingers. Place a butter knife under the lip of plug and force it full out of bezel.

STEP 2: You will notice the back of the plastic plate looks like a child's cup. This plug will only fit in the dash one way. At the bottom of the cup is a small piece of plastic that will keep your hole saw from rotating. Clip this area off. Place hole saw in back of cup and rotate by hand. After some time,the saw will cut through to the front. Trial fit gauge in hole.

STEP 3: Trim the plastic retainer ring supplied in kit. Cut the flaring sides off about half way and discard the ring. Sand the bridge part that slides over the studs on the back of the gauge until it barely comes in contact with the OEM plug and then assemble the wire lugs.

Step 4: Place wires through hole in dash and snap gauge in place.

Step 5: Follow printed directions supplied with kit.

Note 1: I have heard the forward metal line that connect to the tranny is the RETURN line from the cooler. Can anyone confirm this?

Note 2: The supplied compression Tees are both SAE. DO NOT cut your transmission line until you have a 10mm Tee.

See Squids photo: http://www.titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25554

[scr38]

Originally Posted by blueskys

Note 1: I have heard the forward metal line that connect to the tranny is the RETURN line from the cooler. Can anyone confirm this?

The Head checked this out when he had his transmission out. The line nearest the front of the transmission is the return line.

[blueskys]

Many thanks for the info!

[kevdizzle]

Where did you get the T-Fitting?

[dean_p]

I would also like to know where to get that Tee Fitting?
Where is this part number from? (P/N T10LA3C)

Thanks

[johnny_munyak]

Does anyone have an unused B&M gauge pod they are not using and would like to get rid of? I looking for another one.....

If you have one, please email me at johnny_munyak@yahoo.com

Thanks!

[Titan1219]

you do not have to cut your tranny lines to install a tranny temp. gauge. They make temp. sending units that screw directly into the transmissions case in the place of a plug that is usually covering a test port.. Cutting your line IS NOT the way to go. Try autometer and not B&M. Much better gauge and comes with sending unit that doesnt require line cutting.

[kevdizzle]

Is there a specific AutoMeter TransTemp gauge, or are all the sending units the same size.

[Titan1219]

the one i installed was around 7 years ago, and i havent researched them since, but i belive one size sending unit fits all.

its probably a standard size thing. The one i bought didnt specify being for any particular vehicle,and it worked in mine fine.

[pi3yeargrad]

That would be pretty pimp if it was a digital temp gauge...for the price though thats pretty good I bet digital would cost way more...nice install though

[kevdizzle]

Too bad it doesnt work.

[greg w]

Just got Autometer delivered last night but haven't looked at the installation yet.

I got the Cobalt with the electric sending unit and full sweep gauge.

Does anyone know where the sending unit screws into the transmission case on the factory Big Tow?

[Titan1219]

when i installed one of these on my ford, i just found a plug on the side of the case that was the same thread size, screwed it in, good to go.

[greg w]

Originally Posted by Titan1219

when i installed one of these on my ford, i just found a plug on the side of the case that was the same thread size, screwed it in, good to go.

Thanks. I'm hoping it will be that easy since I just spent 2 hours with a heat gun shaping a pillar pod and then painting it to match.

I'll crawl under in the morning I hope. It's raining too much today and the titan doesn't fit in the garage, too many wood working toys, uhhh I mean tools.

[Titan1219]

let me know how it goes, im thinking about one of these myself. if worse comes to worse, and there is no where to screw it, you can drill a hole in the pan and install it there as a last resort.

I hope u find a case boss that it goes into, im sure you will. Dont be afraid to unscrew the things that look like plugs, if there is any. ****, ill crawl under mine and look, im working on it today anyway.,