crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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Well my likely ‘last’ modification of the year has been installed and tested on my Excursion. It is an Aeroforce Tech scan gauge. I must start by saying I have NO AFFILIATION with this company. Just someone that found what I feel is a decent product at a decent price and is sharing my observations.
It is a single 2 1/16” digital gauge that interfaces to your vehicle and scans thru the OBD2 connector (the one under the drivers dash used for pulling ‘codes’) and displays all kinds of information about your vehicle.
On my 2005 V10 Excursion the scan list includes things like. Intake air temp, Trans temp, RPM, MPH, mass air flow, engine coolant temp, cylinder head temp, average MPG, instant MPG, calculated HP, calculated torque. It also contains the ability to set a ‘limit’ for say trans temp of 200 or 210 and a BRIGHT LED will come on the display to let you know if that parameter isn’t being ‘displayed’ it has TRIPPED the limit you have set and thus you know to go WATCH IT!!!
The parameter list is far too EXTENSIVE for me to list here…you can go to the link below and check them all out. But the ones I’m interested in as a tow vehicle driver are pretty much the ones above. I like that there is a temp sensor on the cylinder head as well as engine coolant temp…could help troubleshoot something in the future. But the fact that this gauge reads all the sensors that Ford placed in the truck is truly impressive to me. I’ll have to monitor the ‘nominal’ temps when not towing and what they are when towing next year…
I’ve only had it installed about a week and one thing I noticed on the air intake temp after another forum member noted it…the Excursions OEM intakes are VERY efficient. They draw the coldest air available into the intake. I had toyed with an aftermarket cold air intake like the AirRaid or something similar…but after seeing the intake temps match outside ambient temps…well I can save a few hundred $$$ on that mod!...now I’m not saying the flow rate would be the same between aftermarket and OEM…but at least I know the temp of the air is the coldest and that certainly helps with power. My XLT does not have a factory stock outside temp gauge so I had to use an external temp gauge for this correlation testing…I had toyed with getting one of those as well…but now I don’t need one. One thing to note though is that when stopped or sitting in traffic…the intake temp will rise a few degrees…but once you begin moving again they QUICKLY fall and match outside temps.
This gauge also has a ‘performance’ mode where it will record 0-60mph times as well as 1/8 and ¼ mile times and speed but I haven’t played with that yet!...I drive a truck not a hotrod…but maybe someday I’ll play with that mode.
I also am not 100% sure how my gear swap will or will not affect the ‘calculated’ MPG algorithm contained in the gauge. The MPH’s appear to be off slightly on the gauge vs my speedo. I’ve verified my speedo via GPS…so depending on if the PCM uses a different sensor to pick off MPH…the MPG figures on my truck will be off…But I haven’t run more than a few gallons thru the Ex with the gauge on…I’ll hand calculate the MPG’s in a few weeks and see if they jive with the gauge’s. I’m also working with Todd at Aeroforce on this. The speed sensor for the speedo gauge on my Ex comes off a ring gear sensor so it was un-affected by the deeper gearing I put in…more to come on this if it is a ‘real’ issue.
Lastly this gauge has the ability to pull and clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) thru that OBD2 connection. Having the ability READ CODES is another plus…as my warranty runs out in two weeks!!!...this way I can pull codes if needed and find out what is up with them with out having to take it in…
Oh yeah…it also has two analog inputs for other sensors like EGT or rear end diff temp sensor. Any 0-5V DC transducer will attach to this device so things like an EGT sensor for the diesel boyz…
You can tweak some of the inputs for say altitude so the calculated parameters that utilize that variable are more accurate but on my Excursion they utilize barometric pressure as an input to calculate HP and Trq on…so it will be interesting when I head to the Rockies next year to see how the elevation (i.e. barometric pressure) affects the ‘calculated HP!’
The website for the gauge is AeroForce Tech . I have dealt with Todd there and find him to be extremely friendly, knowledgeable and responsive!
They sell versions for many different types of vehicles. They are continually adding models of TV’s that they support so if you don’t see one for your TV…send Todd an email and see if it is planned.
They have varying styles of displays and colors. Mine is a black face gauge with white letters. Seems to show up nice in most lighting although I haven’t been in blinding sun yet with it. Other color letters may show up better…don’t know…you do have choices though…
Installation spots…well you pretty much have a BLANK CANVAS in options. I opted for an A-Pillar mount but you can find all kinds out there for your application if you look. And because it is a 2 1/16” round gauge…well it fits all 2” pods/brackets…your choices are endless.
Okay specific information for my Excursion installation…I looked for how to mount this single multi function gauge. Well as I looked I was able to locate an Auto Meter singe gauge pod number 15318 that fits under my stock grab handle on the A-Pillar. I think it fits perfectly there and is in perfect reach and view of the driver. The pod comes all black and I had to locate some plastic paint. Which I have found to be quite a challenge since VHT had a fire at their plant a year or so ago…they are supposedly discontinuing the plastic paints…which as I compared the Ford Tan VHT #978 to my interior…I felt is was a little darker and more gold than my actual interior (at least by the paint sample as my dealer did NOT have any nor could he GET any)…BTW My interior trim code on my 2005 X is FH…which calls for ‘Pebble’ but Ford does NOT sell any interior paint at least that’s the answer I got when I called my local dealer and parts counter. It isn’t hard to paint this piece and this way you have some extra incase you scratch the piece or something. The hard part is FINDING a good MATCH!!! I used a Krylon camouflage Khaki paint and that is what is in the photo it is slightly lighter in life and in the photos but not overly offensive…I don’t mind it being slightly lighter…it sure beats being BLACK. The nice thing about the Krylon paint is that it is for PLASTIC and has fusion in it so it is chip resistant. You will have to drill a couple of small holes to push some plastic push pins with expandable ribs thru to hold the piece in place. The upper end gets held into place via the grab handle. From a paint perspective…I’m obviously talking about paint match to MY Excursion…other types of vehicles or other year Excursions will have to verify the color match themselves. Rustoleum makes a Khaki camouflage paint as well that is just a little bit lighter tan…so you may want to check that one out too. But that one doesn’t contain Fusion so a plastic primer would be needed with that one.
There were a few suppliers/websites out there for this Auto Meter pod and paint.
The ones I checked with are
Egauges. They don’t list the 15318 for an Ex and only for the SD’s…but look at my photos…I used the 15318. They carry the pod and paint and will run ~$45 for both shipped to your door and they STILL HAD FORD TAN in stock….
Egauges.com
ITP diesel sells one as well as they can do the painting FOR you. A set delivered to your door will run ~$48 but that is painted also. While they DO paint it for you…the down side to that IMO is that if you scratch it at all…like I did…you have no paint to touch it up…
ITP Diesel
dieselperformanceparts.com is another site that I checked out. They carry paint but it is like $16 per spray can. They claim to have a perfect color match though. A pod and paint delivered to your door would be ~$50. I spoke with Cory here.
Diesel Performance Parts
Another site is Geno’s garage. They carry only the pod…but they are also the CHEAPEST price on the pod at @ $22 + $5 shipping! I spoke with Scott there. If you can find the paint locally…this would be your best bet (IMO).
Genos Garage
After all these on-line choices…I ended up going with my local auto parts store. They were more expensive than any of the on-line places for the pod…but they are local and I had it in a day. And I got the Krylon paint from another auto parts store here locally and doing it this way I actually came out slightly AHEAD going this way…my total package price for me worked out better this way even with tax at $38 and change…so my message is give your local shop a shot…look at the total price and you may be as surprised as I was…
Here are some photos of the hardware...if you click on one of the pictures you will go to my host site for the rest...
Gauge and pre-painted pod as it arrived
Pod with gauge installed pre install into Ex
Final installation in Ex turned on...notice that you can 'invert' the video display which can help visibility depending on lighting/sun conditions.
I used the ‘set point’ threshold on the gauge for trans temp but didn’t tow enough to actually take it thru enough of those paces. They call this feature ‘annunciator’ to allow you to see one of the two LED’s illuminate when the threshold is tripped. Some may use this for shift points and tie it to RPMs. Some model TV’s you can actually use the parameter of auto transmission slippage. Above 10RPMs and the torque converter is UNLOCKED. You can select the auto trans slip parameter and enter 10 and ‘above’ as your trigger and monitor when your torque converter is locked (handy for towing)…this parameter is not reading on my Excursion…but many like to know when their torque converter is locked or unlocked…with this ‘annunciator’ feature you can have an LED display when it is or is not locked (your choice in how you set up the logic check).
Overall I am happy with the gauge. It provides in ONE gauge what would take multiple gauges to get the same information. Plus with the single Auto Meter pod for my Excursion…that allows me to keep my grab handle…it think it fits in very nicely into my vehicle at a perfect location for reaching and seeing while towing!!! Not all vehicles will have this type of clean fit…mounting options truly are endless on the varied vehicles…I personally like having things in eye shot of the road so I don’t have to take my eyes off the road when rolling at ~17,000#’s combined…but that’s just me!
Paint match was a definite challenge given the differing Ford ‘TAN’ interiors BUT only ONE VHT tan…so I’m not so sure that one would have matched my interior any better than what I ended up with. The guys at diesel performance claim to have a perfect match…and in hind sight…that may have been much easier than what I went thru even at the $16 per can that they want!!! But if you can find the Krylon Khaki camo in your area it sold for $5 per can at the local Advance Auto then order the pod from Geno’s for $27 shipped to your door and you have $32 in the deal…But remember to verify color matches as best you can. I’m happy with my color as I really don’t think it matches that bad…a little lighter yes…I don’t think it looks bad at all.
Here is a link to the paint I used
Krylon camo paint
While I haven’t taken the gauge thru a lot of its paces towing wise…I’ll do so next year…just wanted everyone to see that there is a new option for the Excursion for temp sensor and other multi-sensor outputs. The Aeroforce Tech scan gauge connects thru the OBD2 port on your vehicle and allows more info than most will know what to do with! LOL
Give Aerotech a call and ask for Todd…he is a straight shooter and really knows his stuff. So far I am VERY happy with this product and have no affiliation with it what so ever…just passing on another option in gauges that we can use for our vehicles. I do like the way this gauge integrates into my Excursion interior. There are other choices out there but I didn’t necessarily like the way they looked when ‘mounted’ in the interior…they looked ‘stuck on’ IMO…but that is just my opinion. They also make a ‘dual gauge’ setup…but you will have to visit the website for all the specifics. I think on the main page at the bottom of the Aeroforce website there is a youtube video of it in action…
Oh yeah…in the photos if you notice the two buttons…those are the ones you use to select thru the list of parameters to display and setup…but those are details you would know when you get the gauge.
Let me know if something isn’t clear of you have a question or want another photo or something.
Joe.
* This post was
edited 01/16/08 12:51pm by crappie_fisherman *
DH, DW, 2 DD's
2005 Excursion V10 w/4.30's
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BurbMan
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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VERY nice! Paint looks good even though it may not be an "exact" match. I have a stock trans gauge, and while I like being able to monitor such engine functions, not really sure what I would do with the additional info.
Like the clock in your garage!!
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ib516
Up here!
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Nice post. Very informative.
2004 Cougar 301 BHS 6580# Dry, 9000# wet, 9600# GVWR)
2007 Dodge/5.9L Cummins 3500 SRW Megacab 4x4/3.73
Hypertech Max Energy
"MEGACASPER" 10100# GVWR, 5200# FGAWR, 6200# RGAWR
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BobJoh
Whitestown, IN 46075
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I went to the site and got good information.. But what is the Price?? THANKS tyhat helps.
* This post was
edited 11/09/07 08:10pm by BobJoh *
BobJoh
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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Why?
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
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crappie_fisherman
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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BobJoh wrote:I went to the site and got good information.. But what is the Price??
I believe Todd updates the site with the info as gauges are added for vehicles...but you are right...you do have to hunt around for the info!...I've been to the site a couple of times and it still took me a bit to find it...
Here is the GM page that shows a single gauge like I have is $239 and they have what they call dual gauges for $399. CLICK HERE
Remember too that my pictures I ONLY displayed the intake temp and trans temp. Pushing the button on the right would advance through those parameters I have selected to be displayed...it is totally user selectable as to what parameters are in the scan list. Also there is a feature that you can set up a 'cyclic' scan that cycles thru the list YOU determine you want for a set time period...I haven't played with that yet.
Thanks for the feedback on the post.
The gauge will like give most MORE than they could possibly want and that is called flexibility right!
joe.
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Ductape
On the Road
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Joined: 11/15/2005
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Great post. Thanks for taking the time. Peeking inside the OBD II is a lot of fun.
DT
Surveyor SV-234 >Equalizer> H3
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