When adding a custom touch to your project, it’s hard to go wrong with a set of  Dakota Digital gauges. Not only do they look nice, but are few components in your car as important as the instrument cluster. To that end, we talked Greg Karpe at Dakota Digital into giving us some install pointers to help you guys when installing aftermarket gauges.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help!

If you are unsure of anything, double-check before damaging your vehicle or your new gauges. Karpe continued by reminding us to read the installation manual before and during the installation, and ask the manufacturer if a given product is correct for your application.

One of the most important things is to make sure you have all the components necessary to complete the job. Running out of wire, or only having one color will cause problems down the road. Likewise, if wires are improperly secured you will end up with issues down the road. The most important piece of advice however, is to allow yourself enough time to finish the project, do not try to rush through it.

Items To Consider In Your Plan

• Plan your installation with future service or removal in mind.
• Good looking wiring is usually reliable and trouble free. Take as much care with the underside of the dash as you would with other areas in public view.
• If adding multiple electronic products, install them at the same time so the wiring can be run, connected, and neatly secured the first time.

Anytime you are working on a project car, plan on the potential of something needing to be fixed, troubleshot, or upgraded in the future. If you can put things together with that in mind, it will make your life easier down the road.

Good Connections Make Good Gauges

When making wiring connection, how many have used those nice little crimp-on connectors? They’re fast, easy, and usually don’t cause any trouble. But, how do the experts feel about what might be seen as cutting a corner? “Whenever possible, a good solder connection is generally preferred over a crimp-on connector,” Karpe told us. “That being said, a properly executed crimp connection can be extremely reliable.”

twisting the wires together and taping them is a sure-fire way to have electrical gremlins.

Karpe told us, “Most crimp connectors have oversized plastic housings to prevent accidental contact with other wires, and while they do that job well, they’re unsightly, and make wires much larger than needed.” He recommends cutting off the plastic coating, and using heat shrink to cover the connection.

One of the most important things to ensure is a good ground. “Adding a new electrical item to your vehicle can be a frustrating experience if the existing wiring isn’t up to snuff,” Karpe explained. “Improper grounding can cause a myriad of issues that can be nearly impossible to diagnose.” Karpe continued by saying, “A visual inspection is the first step to locating a good grounding point.” Visible bare metal is a good sign, but always check the resistance against a negative battery terminal using a multimeter. He recommends you scrape, grind, or sand the area to bare metal, and use a star-washer that’ll dig into the surface. It is also a good idea to bring multiple accessories to a common ground.

The best way to make connections, is to solder them. According to Karpe, “First, ensure the two wires you wish to connect are clean, with the insulation stripped 3/4- to 1-inch from the end. Next, slip the proper diameter heat shrink tubing over one wire.”

To make a good connection, first twist the wires together and apply a small dose of soldering flux, and then heat the joint. This will help pull the solder into the wire, both speeding things up and improving your results.

“Keep applying heat to the connection until the solder starts to flow into the joint” Detailed Karpe. “When enough heat has been applied, the solder will get sucked into the joint and no longer be a blob sitting on top.” Keep in mind that the heated wire should be melting the solder, not the soldering gun. After the solder has cooled, slide the shrink tube over the joint and apply heat to shrink covering.

Use caution when performing electrical work on your car. You are using heating tools that can reach temperatures upwards of 700 degrees and trying to reach things at awkward angles. Solder and heat can damage both you and your vehicle, so be careful!

Final Checks

Making sure that all functions work properly right away is crucial, don’t wait until the next time you drive your car. When the project is fresh in your mind, it will be easier to troubleshoot if there are any issues. It is also a great idea to make some basic diagrams about your wiring for future use.

If you follow these basic guidelines during the process of your install, you should have no trouble putting together a reliable, attractive gauge system that will be easy to service down the road. Just remember that any time you are unsure of something during your project, don’t be afraid to ask for help!