On my way to make my truck more reliable, id like to put in some new gauges under the dash because I don't really trust the original ones right now. Are there kits with the required sensors that will work? Id like to see my coolant temps and oil pressure at least and maybe a tachometer. Maybe the originals are reliable, I'm not sure. Right now when I turn the key to accessories, oil pressure goes straight to high and stays there and after it is running, the coolant temp slowly creeps to about 1/4 past cool. Fuel gauges don't work but I can deal with that later. I rather not add any gauges if I can help it. I like it all original and zero clutter.

Im looking as some of these from AutoMeter, just not too sure how universal they are. Thanks for the help!
https://www.jegs.com/i/Auto+Meter/10...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Also, is there an easy way to search within this category of 1973-79?

 

Coolant sounds about right (based on mine), but if you can feel around on the radiator to see if warm coolant is going in and coming out cooler.

I think the oil pressure should be in the middle, not stuck on high. Might be a wiring issue or bad sensor. I'd check the wiring on the sensor and possibly replace the sensor all together. Someone here likely has a good way to test it. I'd do that before replacing the whole gauge. On the other hand, you might have really high oil pressure and a problem somewhere. Have you changed the oil out yet and what was the condition of the old oil?

If do go the aftermarket gauge route and you ever plan to sell the truck, I'd stick with the original gauge cluster and some other gauges elsewhere that are easy to remove, not cutting up the dash, etc.

 

Disconnect the wire from the oil sender, it is located on the engine. Turn the key on. If the gauge still pegs, there is a short to ground in the wire that runs from the sender to the gauge. Trace every inch of that wire until you find the short & repair it. If the gauge doesn't peg with the sender unplugged, the sender is bad. Replace it.

Ground the wire that plugs on to the fuel tank sending unit. Turn key on, gauge should peg. If it doesn't, you have a break in that wire between the gauge & sender. Trace every inch, repair the break. If it does peg the gauge when grounded, sender is most likely bad, or the sender ground wire is bad.

Temp gauge sounds like it is working correctly.

It will take you less time to troubleshoot your existing gauges & repair than it will to install aftermarket. And cost you less money. But you have to be able to troubleshoot.

 

If you do decide to go aftermarket, make sure to use the manufacturer's sending units with their gauges. Also, decide if you want mechanical gauges or electrical ones for the water temp and oil pressure. It's your preference, but there are advantages to both types.