Replacement gauges- what are people using

FlyingPete · May 18, 2015

I've been trying to get the temperature gauge on my 90 reading sensibly, without much luck. Since the gauges are the standard ones without numbers, it's always going to be reading 'more/less hot' rather than anything meaningful. The voltmeter is the same as there are no numbers.

So I was thinking about replacing the temperature, voltage and probably the fuel gauge too (for the sake of completeness) with something more accurate and meaningful. I'd like to preserve the original sort of look, with black faces and green lighting, so no blue-lit digital gauges for me. What gauges have people swapped theirs for? I think VDO's vision range looks quite smart.

Disco1BFG · May 18, 2015

If you don't want the LED type stuff, then have a look at the Durite Range -

Durite - UK's leading brand in auto electrical parts

all sorts there!!

So their gauges can be seen here:-

Products with keywords matching 'gauge' | Durite.co.uk

I've used the marine ones over the years, and found them very good, especially in harsh environments - which may or may not apply in your landy....

They are also available on ebone.

reiny · May 18, 2015

Excuse me for butting in. I am interested in changing my gauges too. They're looking worse for wear and stick out like a sore thumb in a brand new raptor binnacle. Do I have to change the sending unit / fuel pick-up in the fuel tank if I decided to fit a Durite fuel gauge?

mrchurchill109 · May 18, 2015

reiny said:
Excuse me for butting in. I am interested in changing my gauges too. They're looking worse for wear and stick out like a sore thumb in a brand new raptor binnacle. Do I have to change the sending unit / fuel pick-up in the fuel tank if I decided to fit a Durite fuel gauge?

Depeends on the resistance range of the Durite sender vs. the original. If they're close and you can accept some minor inaccuracy then no. If they're not then you will need to do so.

If it comes as a kit I'd be at the sender with an ohmmeter to check the range of resistance. If you look around on tt'internet I'm sure you can find the resistance ranges of the Durite kit and the stock sender.

Alan

FlyingPete · May 18, 2015

Durite gauges look good

What colour is the backlight? Ideally I'd like them to be green to match the speedo/clock etc.

Disco1BFG · May 18, 2015

I don't know mate - that is I can't remember !! - I'll have a look and perhaps post a piccie - you can always get in touch with them - I have found their technical folk really helpful - the number is on their website...

ATB

kes86 · May 19, 2015

The Durite backlight is white. But definitely good gauges to go for. The price/quality and reliability is about the best. The colour match hasn't really bothered me.

Disco1BFG · May 19, 2015

Said I would post a piccie up - so here is a marine tacho, (80mm) during testing... lit up

Backlight is white - needle highlighted in red - looks good to me at least

FlyingPete · May 19, 2015

kes86 said:
The Durite backlight is white. But definitely good gauges to go for. The price/quality and reliability is about the best. The colour match hasn't really bothered me.

White is good enough- nothing that can't be solved with some coloured bulbs

bigstuey · May 19, 2015

I also need a new temp gauge, my 200tdi defender has the wrong one fitted. agm parts on fleabay has a durite temp gauge with sender for £32. Question is would the supplied "1/8" NPTF brass sender" be a straight swap for the 200tdi sender I currently have. Standard defender gauge seems to be £50. Is it a no brainer to get the durite gauge or am I barking up the wrong tree?

kes86 · May 19, 2015

FlyingPete said:
White is good enough- nothing that can't be solved with some coloured bulbs

I can't figure out how to get the bulb out, otherwise yes, best plan.

Pretty sure that the thread is not nptf, but IIRC they come with adaptors. If not someone like R-spec or the usual Land Rover suppliers should sort you out.

sp00k · May 19, 2015

The LED lit ones like the tachometer are white back lit. The bulb lit ones are yellow. I've got 5 and they are all good quality.

Litch · May 19, 2015

Ohhhhhh. Look what I've got fitted to my 90....... a matching set of Durite gauges.

I posted a thread about fitting these a couple of years ago as I thought at the time it might be handy for anyone else wanting to do the same, the thread should be easy enough to find if you do a search.

Certainly I found that they are idea replacements for the OE gauges.
The clock & voltmeter are just direct feeds from the relevant sources, the temperature gauge comes with matching sender that just screws straight into the standard position on Defender 300TDi (Defender) and the fuel-gauge works perfectly with the standard sender (the Durite sender is still sitting in the box on the shelf as it is not needed). The oil-pressure gauge is mechanical and is connected using Goodridge SS braided hose to a Tee-piece on the filter housing.
Back lighting is white as standard.

Disco1BFG · May 20, 2015

Litch said:
Ohhhhhh. Look what I've got fitted to my 90....... a matching set of Durite gauges.

I posted a thread about fitting these a couple of years ago as I thought at the time it might be handy for anyone else wanting to do the same, the thread should be easy enough to find if you do a search.

Certainly I found that they are idea replacements for the OE gauges.
The clock & voltmeter are just direct feeds from the relevant sources, the temperature gauge comes with matching sender that just screws straight into the standard position on Defender 300TDi (Defender) and the fuel-gauge works perfectly with the standard sender (the Durite sender is still sitting in the box on the shelf as it is not needed). The oil-pressure gauge is mechanical and is connected using Goodridge SS braided hose to a Tee-piece on the filter housing.
Back lighting is white as standard.

they look Good.

but I have a feeling that steering wheel might be a bit small

trax · May 20, 2015

i like those dash pod things, but i really don't want to block my air vent.

FlyingPete · May 25, 2015

Litch said:
Ohhhhhh. Look what I've got fitted to my 90....... a matching set of Durite gauges.

(See Pics)

I posted a thread about fitting these a couple of years ago as I thought at the time it might be handy for anyone else wanting to do the same, the thread should be easy enough to find if you do a search.

Certainly I found that they are idea replacements for the OE gauges.
The clock & voltmeter are just direct feeds from the relevant sources, the temperature gauge comes with matching sender that just screws straight into the standard position on Defender 300TDi (Defender) and the fuel-gauge works perfectly with the standard sender (the Durite sender is still sitting in the box on the shelf as it is not needed). The oil-pressure gauge is mechanical and is connected using Goodridge SS braided hose to a Tee-piece on the filter housing.
Back lighting is white as standard.

These look great

Similar enough to fit in with the original speedo, and even better as they're basically a straight swap.

I quite fancy another couple of gauges to replace the ashtray on mine. Something like this should work well enough and screw straight over the hole

trax · May 25, 2015

you can get ones that run up the pillar too

sp00k · May 27, 2015

I used this type of pod and also fitted Durite gauges. Less than a tenner of ebay. Each holder is adjustable so I have them angled so that they can be read at a glance from driving position. Also note the rev counter tucked into the right hand side of the centre NATO light switch panel. That's not quite as easy to read but it's ok.

FlyingPete · May 27, 2015

I like the 'drive with care' warning on the dash just in case

Your speedometer also appears to be back to front

sp00k · May 27, 2015

FlyingPete said:
I like the 'drive with care' warning on the dash just in case

Yeah, it also has maximum speed recommendations when towing and guidance on how many people can sit in it - something you would think would be fairly obvious from the number of seats supplied

Your speedometer also appears to be back to front

ex-mod

This also makes it one of the few defenders which can genuinely travel at over 100

Replacement gauges- what are people using

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