How many of you install aftermarket gauges, or do you still trust the dash lights?

most people put extra gauges in, but as long as the senders are good and the engine and cooling system are in good shape, the idiot lights work fine to tell you when things go really bad in a hurry. i also leave the lights hooked up if i add gauges, just in case something goes bad when i don't happen to be looking at the gauges.

I've got all My light's backed up with Mechanical Gauges. I like to see exactly what temp/pressure thing's are at.

First thing I did was get mechanical oil and water temp guages. Can't trust the wiring in a 40 year old car to make sure the lights are working correctly.

Even though I have all these factory gauges in the Charger and they do work, I installed a set of mechanical gauges in it anyways. The factory temp gauge is off a tad. I installed oil/temp/volts, and a tach for good measure. I like to know what the engine is really doing. The only car I left the idiot lights alone in are my 69 Malibu. I know they work.

Idiot lights tell you after you have a problem, usually too late! Guages will forewarn you of a problem.
They are called idiot lights for a reason!

Our '69 Chevelle has a Stewart-Warner tach that was installed by the original owner. At 60mph it sometimes reads as much as 400 rpm high....but not always. Old gauges might not be as accurate as they were when new. Gauges and lights are the best bet.