Opinions Needed on Square Body Gauges LS Swap

[jfkelley]

I’m finishing up my 1976 K10 4x4 5.3/4L60e swap ..I purchased an 1990 Suburban Electric Speedo Instrument Cluster Assembly but the printed circuit on the back is trashed & no one offers a repo where the accessory plug goes into a lot of the fingers are missing ..Really wanted to make the factory gauges work ..Should I hard wire the gauges ? Or Go with Dakota , Intellatronix , Auto meter or Onegauge ? Thanks for your input and time ..This forum has helped me in many ways getting through this swap

 

[R Carnella]

I went with the dakota digital and couldn't be happier with them overall. Plus they integrate well with the LS engine ecm by reading OBD2 data. Displays stuff like gear selection,trans temp,inlet air temp,4x4&low range indicators. Not to mention i can set warning alerts for volts, temp and oil pressure.
Combined with Bluetooth and all the color settings it's just fantastic really.

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[squaredeal91]

For me it's a matter of budget and how bad you want something lol

 

[jfkelley]

I went with the dakota digital and couldn't be happier with them overall. Plus they integrate well with the LS engine ecm by reading OBD2 data. Displays stuff like gear selection,trans temp,inlet air temp,4x4&low range indicators. Not to mention i can set warning alerts for volts, temp and oil pressure.
Combined with Bluetooth and all the color settings it's just fantastic really.

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After looking at these online I don’t have the budget for this ..But man it looks soooo good !!

 

[louu]

I went with the dakota digital and couldn't be happier with them overall. Plus they integrate well with the LS engine ecm by reading OBD2 data. Displays stuff like gear selection,trans temp,inlet air temp,4x4&low range indicators. Not to mention i can set warning alerts for volts, temp and oil pressure.
Combined with Bluetooth and all the color settings it's just fantastic really.

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Where's the cheapest place to buy these from?

 

[CheemsK1500]

If you want to retain a factory look, you can just use an OEM cable driven speedometer and attach one of these GPS conversion boxes to it:

The Easiest Speedometer Conversion: SPEEDBOX™ | GPS, Transmission | SPEEDHUT®

Designed to operate a cable-driven mechanical speedometer using built-in GPS, modern transmission signals, or CAN-BUS - the SPEEDBOX™ is the easiest speedometer conversion around. Shop the box now.

speedhut.com

 

[jfkelley]

If you want to retain a factory look, you can just use an OEM cable driven speedometer and attach one of these GPS conversion boxes to it:

The Easiest Speedometer Conversion: SPEEDBOX™ | GPS, Transmission | SPEEDHUT®

Designed to operate a cable-driven mechanical speedometer using built-in GPS, modern transmission signals, or CAN-BUS - the SPEEDBOX™ is the easiest speedometer conversion around. Shop the box now.

speedhut.com

I’m running an 4l60e

 

[CheemsK1500]

I’m running an 4l60e

the conversion box should work regardless. The cable goes into the box and the box connects a to GPS sensor that tells the box when to turn the cable. The transmission isn't involved in this setup.

 

[jfkelley]

the conversion box should work regardless. The cable goes into the box and the box connects a to GPS sensor that tells the box when to turn the cable. The transmission isn't involved in this setup.

@CheemsK1500 this sounds like something I be interested in Thanks for the input

 

[TotalyHucked]

'Nother vote for the Dakotas. I have the SquareBody Syndicate versions, they're fantastic. I think I had to use ~5 wires from the original gauge plug for fuel level/turn signals/high beam indicator/etc and had to use their oil pressure sender and wire it directly to the brain box, otherwise everything else comes through the OBD adaptor. I've got a 5.3/4L65

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[nb96z]

I’m running Dakota Digital RTX as well with my 5.3. Modern while retaining the stock look. No complaints, though it is a bit pricey.

 

[custodian]

I went with Intellitronix. Lifetime warranty. I started to use the electronic speedo from a van, set it up but never used it.

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[wlwarnke]

Yet another vote for DD. I’ve installed a few sets now. I did mine before the Ls swap and obviously kept them after.
I just wish I would have remembered to add the cruise control input to the DD during the Ls swap when I added cruise.

Spend the extra $100 and get the OBD2 BIM module. You can save some wiring and get some great additional information.

Also, on the 3 I’ve done, after figuring mine out, I now add a pull-up resistor to the check engine light circuit.

Yes it’s pricey, no, it does nothing for performance, but you stare at them the entire time you’re driving and they look freaking amazing.

 

[R Carnella]

I just wish I would have remembered to add the cruise control input to the DD during the Ls swap when I added cruise.

What cruise control input are you referring to?

 

[wlwarnke]

What cruise control input are you referring to?

The one that lights up the indicator showing that cruise is on.