Yamaha Rhino Digital Gauge Installation

Rhino Digi-gauge

Disclaimer: Consult your Yamaha dealer concerning warranty issues before performing this modification.

Customizing your Rhino is almost as fun as riding it. One of the best upgrades you can make (and should be a standard item anyway) is the Rhino digital gauge available from Yamaha for around $200. The gauge replaces the standard dummy lights, and includes a speedometer, odometer, hour meter, dual trip meters, clock, coolant temp light, and drive indicator lights including high range, low range, reverse, 4 wheel drive, differential lock, neutral, and parking brake. The only bad thing about the gauge at this point is its availability. Mine was ordered in mid February but didn't arrive until the end of March.

The digi-gauge package comes complete with the gauge itself (#5UG-83500-00), a temperature sending unit/thermo switch (#5KM-82560-00), and a 3 pack of flange type nuts (#95707-05500) for mounting the gauge. The entire installation requires only an 8mm deep well socket/ratchet, a 10mm wrench, and a 14mm wrench.

Step #1: Disconnect the negative battery cable with a 10mm wrench. This is standard procedure anytime you work with a vehicles electrical system, but its especially critical when you're working with electronics such as the digi-gauge. As with any time you disconnect your cables, take this opportunity to clean the cable connections with a wire brush.

Step #2: Unplug the indicator ("dummy") light panel from the stock wiring harness, and remove the panel from the dash. When pulling the wiring to get to the plugs the bulbs popped out of their sockets. It wasn't a big deal to me since I'm pitching the panel anyway, but if you wish to keep yours intact be very careful here. Take the plugs left on the stock harness and seal them off well with electrical tape and then secure them out of your way on the cross member. Once unplugged you press in the four tabs (one on each side of the panel) and push the panel out.

Step #3: Place the digi-gauge in the mounting holes. Route the wiring through the large hole with the plastic grommet, and tighten the nuts on the mounting bolts using an 8mm deep well socket and ratchet. I don't want to quote any torque specs, you'll know when it feels tight enough.

Step #4: The Rhino comes pre-wired for the digi-gauge. Find the 3 plugs in the harness, they will be in the same area as the digi-gauge mounting location. Each connector has a plug in place to keep water out and the plugs will need to be removed. All three plugs use a single retaining clip to hold the plugs into place, but on the grey plug it appears as if there are three retainers. Just use the one in the middle and the plug will pop right out. Once you get all 3 plugs removed, firmly plug in the wiring from the digi-gauge. At this point go ahead and remove the seats and the center console.

Step #5: On the drivers side of the cylinder head you'll find the stock temperature sending unit. Unplug the wire and unscrew it with a 14mm wrench (you'll loose a little coolant during this step) and replace it with the new one provided in the kit. The instructions call for using teflon thread tape but I didn't have any on hand so I just snugged it up good. Although mine doesn't leak I'm sure it will bother me until I remove it and use the tape so go ahead and have some on hand before you get your gauge. Plug the wire back in.

Step #6: Locate the 2 blue relays in the battery box. Remove them and toss them. Reconnect the battery cable and replace your battery compartment cover, then close your hood.

Step #7: Peel the plastic from the face of your gauge, crank your machine, and check for leaks around the temperature sending unit. Once you're sure that you aren't leaking coolant, replace the center console and the seats and head out to test your new gauge. I tried many times to capture how cool the gauge looks in the dark, but the camera flash killed the indiglo effect.

The total install time (if you aren't writing up a tech paper on the process!) should be about 15 minutes and the difference this makes in your overall riding experience will be appreciated every time you go for a ride.