Im totally new to this. But I'm planning on building an arduino (i have the 328) to display some things:
LCD Display (which should I get?)
Direction, speed, fuel (ill be using a 12v fuel sending unit). Basically where do I start and what do I need to get?
Im wanting the lcd to display the direction, speed, fuel.
The MPGuino project should give you some ideas about choosing a display, mounting, etc.
For direction and speed, you should probably look into a GPS module with serial output. I think there are some postings here on the board about people grabbing info from a GPS datastream to display.
There's also some info in the Playground.
Ran
the typical LCD display will consume about 11 I/O pins and require a lot of wiring. A display with a serial interface will be much easier to work with but generally costs more. I have used this ( currently on Ebay )
hookup, example code and other information can be found at arduinoextras - whitej it takes 12 volts to power it and just 1 I/O pin wired from the Arduino. The fact that it is a VFD rather than an LCD makes it much easier to see under a variety of lighting conditions and angles as well.
the typical LCD display will consume about 11 I/O pins and require a lot of wiring
The current LiquidCrystal library only needs 6 IO lines and although that serial device only uses one IO line , it does seem to need a transistor, two resistors a diode and a 12 volt power source. $29 inc shipping (not including the needed 12v supply) seems a lot to pay unless you really can't spare the 5 extra IO lines that a standard LCD would need.
I would think one of the low cost serial backpacks with a standard display would be a better choice if you only had one IO line spare, perhaps something like this: http://www.nkcelectronics.com/serial-16x2-lcd-bo162.html
I got this board:
[ur] http://www.nkcelectronics.com/16x2-lcd-module-while-characters-blue-backli162.html [/ur]
I need to use few pins as possible because I'm going to be using a gps module, digital compass, and some kind of 12v source prob to measure fuel (in a tank)
I need to use few pins as possible because I'm going to be using a gps module, digital compass, and some kind of 12v source prob to measure fuel (in a tank)
The GPS module will need a digital pin.
The Compass will probably be connected to an analog input pin (if it uses I2C it will need two pins).
The 12 volt sensor gets connected to another analog input pin (via a voltage divider).
So that's three or four pins for your sensors and another six pins for the LCD if you use the LiquidCrystal library in 4 bit mode. You still have at least six pins free for future enhancements.
should work then. i just ordered the lcd board i got the lcd in today but now waiting on the board....
Now gotta research on how to hookup the lcd and the backpack to the lcd. Still learning 
I have this lcd:
http://www.nkcelectronics.com/16x2-lcd-module-while-characters-blue-backli162.html
This lcd board:
http://www.nkcelectronics.com/serial-16x2-lcd-bo162.html
I have a 3 prong 10k ohm pot from radio shack.
Any1 have a wiring diagram I could go by thats easily readable?
Thanks 
i got my lcd running w/o the backup board... their schematic does not show where to place the pot but i figured where to put it... only thing is once soldered the female headers to the lcd backup the thru-hole pot wont fit...so would an smd pot be best or any ideas?
You need something like this:- http://uk.farnell.com/bourns/3361p-1-102glf/trimmer-smd-1k/dp/1696057?MER=i-9b10-00001144
i just ordered some 5k ohm smd pots 4mm