Boost gauges

[Kevin Franklin]

If you have the parts to test I would test just to rule it out 100% before selling.
I'm sure you can make them working, but if plug and play doesn't it becomes a how much to you want to invest time and effort wise to make it happen. I think it would just need real sensors and a small computer (Arduino or Pi) to monitor them and convert that into HS-CAN message that the ICM would monitor that can also relay PCM (Boost) messages from the truck's HS-CAN to an add-on computer to gauge pod HS-CAN. Also, if that were able to be produced the Mustang, ST and RS owners looking to get "real" gauges may be interested in such a thing.

I do have the gauges and pigtail and will go through the necessary procedures and see what happens.

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[ControlNode]

OK, I just got the manuals. A quick scan, I think if the upfitter switch wiring is already in place that would likely be the best place for illumination input. While it does have power there it is ignition switched the the ICM module is normally wired to an always hot power source. IMO, the OBD-2 port still would be the safest connection point for the power, ground and data.

Illumination should be VT-GY (VLN04) C9805-4 / C9120-12
C9120 may, or may not, be present without the upfitter switch kit. I think C9805 should be there.

Update: And my CAN-Bus shield for the Arduino was delivered today, I'm too busy at this time to mess with the programming, but looking at the FSM and electrical manuals I'm not seeing where the PCM is sending a some of the input the ICM wants. I figure the best thing for me to do will be to make a logger with it in the RS and monitor the display on the gauge and the values for those messages. Then look into an analog real gauge inputs on the arduino and send out the values as spoofed from PCM messages that the ICM would understand. But may look into making an "ICM custom gateway module" (ICGM, if that is not already a module) for use with RS/ST/EBM. Have it pass all message from car side HS-CAN to ICM side HS-CAN expect those replaced from the analog inputs, also have all the ICM messages passed from ICM side to car side. This is a long term plan, not something that will be done soon, as I have other priorities and don't currently have the time to get too deep into automotive HS-CAN communications.

 

[ControlNode]

I do have the gauges and pigtail and will go through the necessary procedures and see what happens.

I'm not sure if you ever tested, I did today. I used the test cable I mentioned before between the OBD2 port and the ICM. No action on the RS gauges in the Ranger, I did test my test cable in the RS and it worked fine.

I had a thought that some data broadcasting from the PCM could still be happening, but with no module to listen it was not documented since documented communications would be for those packets with a sender and receiver modules.

I'm not sure if the PCM is broadcasting the data and the Gateway Module A (GWM) is filtering the network traffic available to the DLC or if even on the PCM side of the GWM that data is or is not available. In the RS there is no Gateway Module on the OBD2 port like there is in the Ranger. No time right now to try tapping directly into the harness on the PCM side of the GWM.

I will note that I didn't have the Illumination wired in, but I highly doubt that would prevent needles from moving.

 

[daczone]

I have not. I will check that out. My thinking is that if the 2014/2018 St and RS use an analog gauge with converted digital info, the Ranger should have the same capabilities. I would have to think that the systems are very similar. I have the pigtail as well. I'm going to be heart broken if I cannot make this happen

Loving this! If you could put it in the top tray of the dash that would be PERFECT!!!

 

[ControlNode]

Loving this! If you could put it in the top tray of the dash that would be PERFECT!!!

It would be, no one that I know of had gotten that to work. I know at the very least using the HS CAN data from the OBD2 port in the Ranger will not provide the needed data to the ICM. I did test my OBD2 to ICM adapter in my RS before and after trying it in the Ranger and it works in the RS, so no issues with the adapter wiring.

 

[daczone]

It would be, no one that I know of had gotten that to work. I know at the very least using the HS CAN data from the OBD2 port in the Ranger will not provide the needed data to the ICM. I did test my OBD2 to ICM adapter in my RS before and after trying it in the Ranger and it works in the RS, so no issues with the adapter wiring.

You probably eliminate the factory board and use a Arduino to control the stepper motors (gauges) directly reading from a known source. Lots of people have done it.

 

[Dgc333]

I had a Focus ST and the gauges in the dash top pod were so small and with so little resolution they were pretty useless.

I went this way for gauges in my Ranger. Pardon the back lighting. My camera and the refresh rate in the LED back lighting didn't play nice together. All of them were set to the ice blue of the middle oil pressure gauge (these gauges have 7 colors you can choose for the back lighting).

 

[ControlNode]

You probably eliminate the factory board and use a Arduino to control the stepper motors (gauges) directly reading from a known source. Lots of people have done it.

Still, not sure anyone having done that in the Ranger yet. Would likely need to add real sending units to feed data to the controller once you did that.

 

[daczone]

I had a Focus ST and the gauges in the dash top pod were so small and with so little resolution they were pretty useless.

I went this way for gauges in my Ranger. Pardon the back lighting. My camera and the refresh rate in the LED back lighting didn't play nice together. All of them were set to the ice blue of the middle oil pressure gauge (these gauges have 7 colors you can choose for the back lighting).

Curious: What is the peak boost you are seeing on the gauge?

 

[Dgc333]

Curious: What is the peak boost you are seeing on the gauge?

20 psi. These engines are tuned using torque targets. So if the air is good and 17 psi will allow the engine to reach the target that's what you will get. On bad air days you will see more boost in order to reach the torque targets.
Also, I am running an 87 octane performance tune so I may be seeing higher boost.

 

[daczone]

20 psi. These engines are tuned using torque targets. So if the air is good and 17 psi will allow the engine to reach the target that's what you will get. On bad air days you will see more boost in order to reach the torque targets.
Also, I am running an 87 octane performance tune so I may be seeing higher boost.

Very cool. Thank You, Yeah I'm surprised that there is no factory boost gauge.

 

[daczone]

Anyone have a 3d print of a boost gauge mount for the ranger? I'm thinking of printing something to install one in the drivers side vent.

Just trying to get the fitment down (not the final rendition) as I will radius the vents, make it much longer to look the factory part (6 baffles, 14mm apart, etc). I also wanted to keep the vent at the top of the gauge.

 

[Muscleford]

I had a Focus ST and the gauges in the dash top pod were so small and with so little resolution they were pretty useless.

I went this way for gauges in my Ranger. Pardon the back lighting. My camera and the refresh rate in the LED back lighting didn't play nice together. All of them were set to the ice blue of the middle oil pressure gauge (these gauges have 7 colors you can choose for the back lighting).

I admired your gauges before. If I remember you used an adapter ring on the the oil filter mount for the oil pressure. I would like to do similar in my truck. I will PM you for some info.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

I reached out to an etsy vendor pazpods to see if they have a ranger version of their fender vents. They said they don’t but will look into if they can make one.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PazPodz

 

[daczone]

I reached out to an etsy vendor pazpods to see if they have a ranger version of their fender vents. They said they don’t but will look into if they can make one.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PazPodz

Yeah those look great, That's pretty much the same idea.

I did a template checking size and fitment. Still working on the design. But the goods news is a 52mm gauge fits.

Made it 40mm deep with the gauge coming forward 5 mm. beveled airflow edges, should work. It's just 89mm long so should print on most 3d printers.

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