I have an 88 F-150. What I am wanting to do is install a mechanical gauge and still have the stock gauge functional. I use this truck to plow and the C-H factory gauge just doesnt satisfy me. I want to know what the actual temp is.

Okay. What's stopping you? (Other than the fact that if you went into a parts store and asked for a "mechanical gauge" they might look at you a little funny.)

What I am wondering about is what types of adapters I am going to need to be able to use both gauges.

What do the instructions of your after-market temperature guage say about the sending unit?

What do the instructions of your after-market temperature guage say about the sending unit?

I dont have a gauge yet. I have just heard of people doing this, but nobody can tell me what they did. If I was to see a pic of one that somebody had rigged up I think I could figure it out though.

I would not even waste my time with the stock gauge they were never that good to start with. the problem I had when trying to keep both of my working was I only had one place in the intake mainfold to put the sending unit, so if you try and "T" it off to put 2 sending units there you have got the sending units up and a way from the mainfold, giving you a bad reading. just take the stock sending unit out and replace with good mechanical gauge.

I would not even waste my time with the stock gauge they were never that good to start with. the problem I had when trying to keep both of my working was I only had one place in the intake mainfold to put the sending unit, so if you try and "T" it off to put 2 sending units there you have got the sending units up and a way from the mainfold, giving you a bad reading. just take the stock sending unit out and replace with good mechanical gauge.
Thanks for the advice.