Source for gas gauge for 1978 SR5 pickup

Discussion in 'Maintenance/Repair' started by ka6uup, Mar 6, 2020.

  1. ka6uup

    ka6uup Newbie

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    My gas gauge now goes to zero when it reaches about 1/3 full.
    Is there a source for these kind of things?
    Can they still be sourced from Toyota?
    Thanks
    Chuck
     
  2. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    I have 1 or 2 i can sell that i had in my 72, although i have to tell you, im not sure if they read 100% accurate. I metered them according to the service manual and they tested fine, but my sending unit was always iffy
     
  3. fred heath

    fred heath Addict

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    It’s probably your sending unit. Pretty common with these old Toyota’s. Gauges rarely go bad. It’s tough to find replacements unless you go to somewhere like Thailand. Good luck.
     
  4. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Yea those Thai repops arent accurate at all.
     
  5. ka6uup

    ka6uup Newbie

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    Yes, I should have said the sending unit not the guage.
    Thanks,
    Chuck
     
  6. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Get a thai repop and adjust it to spec.
     
  7. ka6uup

    ka6uup Newbie

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    where do I get one? I assume this is the sending unit.
     
  8. fred heath

    fred heath Addict

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    Don’t think they make any now. They make a universal unit but you won’t be able to use your factory gage (different ohms).
    As a “stop gap” you can use your odometer. Fill the gas tank, record your odometer reading, drive for a day, refill the tank, divide miles driven by gas used to get your average MPG. Example: you used 2 gallons of gas to go 30 miles. 30 divided by 2 equals 15. So you’re averaging 15 MPG. Now if you have a 10 gallon tank you know you’re good for 150 miles before empty. I wouldn’t run it that close, but you get the idea. Either that, or carry a spare gas can for when you run out.
    I installed an aftermarket sender with its own gage. Better than running out of gas.
     
  9. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Aftermarket gauges are a good option too. Speedhut sells a nice gauge and sending unit that you can make fit
     
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  10. Collin Ramos

    Collin Ramos Member

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    I’m also looking for a fuel sending unit as well. My gas gauge just totally stopped working one day. Refill tank and it doesn’t even budge. But I do the technique of using gas for a couple days, then just refill when I feel like it’s low. But fixing the problem would be ideal. So either get an aftermarket and it’s own gauge, or find someone who rebuilds sending units.
     
  11. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    I sound like a broken record but... Speedhut gauge and sending unit.
     
  12. Collin Ramos

    Collin Ramos Member

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    Would the gauge be plug and play?
     
  13. fred heath

    fred heath Addict

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    No. You would have to calibrate the float to the tank and run new wires for the gage.
     
  14. jetas

    jetas Grand Toyotaholic

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    Speedhut gauges come with preset values. One of which matches whatever theyre senders work at. 100% plug and play aside from wiring up the power sources.

    i will say this tho. The sender didnt directly fit the tank in my truck so i had to oblong the holes for it to bolt in but once that was done it was smooth sailing
     
  15. Collin Ramos

    Collin Ramos Member

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    Thanks for the replies!
     

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