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  #1  
Old 01-29-2016, 09:31 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Custom digital gauge cluster idea

So I was thinking, partly out of frustration and out of wanting more custom like things for our trucks. What if I or someone makes a gauge cluster similar to a Dakota Digital but maybe a little cheaper and more customizable, even while its in the truck. Here are my ideas so far:

uses lcd screen instead of vacuum tubes so people can off road(correct me if I'm wrong if they use a vacuum tube like set up)
can change colors of display
can change layout of it on the fly
maybe can even do obd2 readings- tell what code is being thrown from check engine light
touch screen/touch sensitive to change layout

The layout I'm thinking of currently is maybe how they have it in newer cars, screen in the middle of gauges (think of the newer rangers where all the dummy lights are, but with a screen) that will have what ever they decide to put there. Or even better(?), just all basically a digital screen with all of the dummy lights(parking brake on, check engine, etc).

Let me know what you think, throw out some ideas. Right now I'm just trying how to make this possible, or even where to start to make such a thing. I understand electronics and stuff, but this is something totally different from what I normally do.
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99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun
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  #2  
Old 01-29-2016, 09:41 PM
TB-9862 TB-9862 is offline
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It's called an ultragauge
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Black 2001 4x2 XLT Supercab 3.0 "Shadow" - WIA

Black 2001 4x4 EDGE Supercab 4.0 ('Body donor' for Shadow lol)

Build thread:
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...adow-redo.html
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  #3  
Old 01-29-2016, 11:15 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

I realize that an ultragauge basically does the same thing as described
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99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun
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  #4  
Old 01-30-2016, 12:24 AM
TB-9862 TB-9862 is offline
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And more lol. Just plug it in and go. You can even put it where your cluster is if it makes you feel better
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Dennis Brady

Black 2001 4x2 XLT Supercab 3.0 "Shadow" - WIA

Black 2001 4x4 EDGE Supercab 4.0 ('Body donor' for Shadow lol)

Build thread:
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...adow-redo.html
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  #5  
Old 01-30-2016, 12:38 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

It could also be made to do different things than an ultragauge lol. It's just an idea
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99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun
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  #6  
Old 01-30-2016, 01:19 PM
Himecraig Himecraig is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idahoRedRanger View Post
It could also be made to do different things than an ultragauge lol. It's just an idea
You should head out to your dealer showroom and check out some of the driver assist and Bluetooth/connectivity packages.
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  #7  
Old 01-30-2016, 01:44 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

What could bluetooth connectivity do for a gauge cluster? I'm thinking one use for it could be a direct Google search for trouble codes. Currently running blanks on what else it could do. But I like the idea
Quote:
Originally Posted by Himecraig View Post
You should head out to your dealer showroom and check out some of the driver assist and Bluetooth/connectivity packages.
----------

I'm thinking maybe something like what they do with Android auto and Apple car play and do display you gps if you have it up and traveling. Something like this in a way http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/w...2014-ces-3.jpg
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Project log
99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun
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  #8  
Old 01-30-2016, 02:07 PM
tomburns tomburns is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

You can get Bluetooth valve caps that give you a tyre psi reading.
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  #9  
Old 01-30-2016, 02:14 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

Thats a great idea. I actually just saw those on chrisfix channel. I think that'll be a pretty neat feature. Maybe more so for the off roaders. Maybe some how tie it into the 4wd switch(for those who have it) and do some kind of off road display when its turned on?
Also, heres another idea, display helpful towing info, Oil life, brake life, tire rotation. Something I think ultragauge does, but not to sure on that
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomburns View Post
You can get Bluetooth valve caps that give you a tyre psi reading.
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Project log
99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun

Last edited by idahoRedRanger; 01-30-2016 at 02:21 PM.
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  #10  
Old 01-30-2016, 03:20 PM
TB-9862 TB-9862 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idahoRedRanger View Post
Thats a great idea. I actually just saw those on chrisfix channel. I think that'll be a pretty neat feature. Maybe more so for the off roaders. Maybe some how tie it into the 4wd switch(for those who have it) and do some kind of off road display when its turned on?
Also, heres another idea, display helpful towing info, Oil life, brake life, tire rotation. Something I think ultragauge does, but not to sure on that
You could reference the ultragauge just to see what systems the Ranger computer monitors already, those would be easier to obtain from the OBDII port. Everything else would need sensors installed as well as display panel
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Dennis Brady

Black 2001 4x2 XLT Supercab 3.0 "Shadow" - WIA

Black 2001 4x4 EDGE Supercab 4.0 ('Body donor' for Shadow lol)

Build thread:
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...adow-redo.html
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  #11  
Old 01-30-2016, 04:57 PM
idahoRedRanger idahoRedRanger is offline
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Default Re: Custom digital gauge cluster idea

The display panel should be easy. Small lcd screen in the middle. From like a phone. If it was set up with normal needles and the screen in the middle. Like the new F-150's. For sensing/telling you about oil life, brake life, tire rotation and towing info, the oil life, tire, and brakes would most likely be based off of the user putting in the info so extra sensors dont have to be installed. Towing would basically tap into what is already there for brake controls, if the user already has towing. Reading from ODBII would either be taping into the wires or doing a bluetooth reading set up so there aren't any wires to run from there and up
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Project log
99 Ford Ranger XLT Sport 3.0L
Autobot name:Rubeo Bestia(latin for little red beast)
135 amp alternator, 4.0 air intake tube, air box mod, 235/75-15 Hankook Dynapro, 01-03 conversion, buggman LEDs, throttle cable mod
I take photos for fun
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