How easy or hard and how expensive is it to add a tachometer to a 1991 Toyota 6cyl automatic with a 22RE engine? I have to hire someone to do this. My reason for asking is that I think it would help me to save gas if I could read the RPM's like I do in my Camry.
Generally, installing a tachometer isn't a difficult task, but if you're at the mercy of an installer I can see where labor might get a bit pricey, depending upon how careful/good they are at making the installation look pretty. However, if you just want the thing "plopped" on the dash, make sure the installer knows that and you could probably save a couple hours of labor. It probably all depends upon how easy it is to gain access to the underdash and hood area. If there are some Toyota afficionados on here, then there might be a "port" under that dash that will allow you to connect a diagnostic tester and get the RPM (and other) information from. The tester might cost a bit more than a dedicated tachometer, but you'll be able to read other engine parameters as well and you'll save a lot for installation costs.
But here's my $0.02. If you're concerned about fuel mileage, I'd opt for a vacuum gauge first instead of a tachometer. Simplistically, a vacuum gauge shows you how hard the engine is working. Step on the gas hard and you'll see the vacuum gauge drop (engine is working hard). Step on the accelerator lightly and the vacuum gauge reading will drop slighlty but stay "high", indicating the engine isn't being worked as hard. The trick is to keep the vacuum gauge in the "high" range as much as possible.
Or...what ultimately results from driving with a vacuum gauge...just drive like you have an egg between your foot and the accelerator. LOL
Good Luck,
~Rick
2005 Georgie Boy 3625 DS on a Workhorse W-22 (Class A)
Rick, Gail, 1 girl (12-Angel), 1 girl (7), 2 boys (8 & 5), 1 plump Golden Retriever.
2001 Honda Odyssey with Demco Aluminator tow bar & tow plate, SMI Silent Partner brake controller.
visch1 wrote: I'm cheap but will spend if the item is cost justifiable to me. I purchased a ScanGuage2, so much more info than a vacuum gauge, and pricier.
I agree the scangauge is a good tool, But for the OP w/ a '91 It will not work UNLESS Toyota started OBDI 2 earlier than most other mfg.. The '91 should be OBDI 1 and the scanGauge only works on OBDI 2.
I would rather have a Tach than a Vacuum gauge, I want to know my RPMS to make sure that I don't over rev the engine and to also run in my power band.
The V-6 in a '91 'yota isn't a 22RE; that's a 2.4 litre 4 cylinder. The V-6 is the 3VZE or some such... (I'm too lazy to walk downstairs and lift the hood on my '94). I strongly agree with the folks who recommend a vacuum gauge as better than a tach for improving mileage by 'controlling' driver input, especially with an auto trans.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
I agree, the ScanGauge units are great, well worth the money, easy to connect and I do own one. In general, the OBD II standard was adopted in model year 1996 (I think), so the OP's unit is before the standard.
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