Well I finaly got around to putting in my Autometer Boost and pyro gauges. But I got to tell you, I can't deal with the pilar thing so here is what i did ,look in my photo gallery. You need a lathe to do some simple turning of 2" sch-40 PVC pipe for the cups and the rest is basic hole cuters and a dremmel type cut off disk for the dash trimming. I have a number of pictures on the process if any one is serious about doing this type of install.
Walt

 

Very nice!!! I really like the way they blend in. How do you like the gauge color on yours?? Mine seem a bit dim compared to mi DiPricol fuel gauge??


Chris

 

That's really cool.

 

Nice job, I have been looking for ideas like that. Too bad I have the old interior

 

Chris55, no doubt the lighting could be better, at least they are green and a whole lot cheaper than those "moon glow" ones!
Thanks for the kind words guys.
Walt

 

Very nice. Look somewhat like the dash gauge pod available for Ford PSDs, but I like the placement of your gauges better - yours are up high unlike the PSD pod.

So what was the lathe turning for? Did you have to relieve the inner diameter of the PVC pipe for the gauges to fit? Just curious in case I get tired of the a-pillar setup i have now.

Steve

 

The 2 hole saws needed was a 2 1/8th for drilling the iner dash and a 2 3/8ths to drill the dash bezel from the back out to the front. this 2 3/8ths hole is exactly OD on the 2" sch-40 pipe. The ID of sch-40 happens to be gauge body diameter. So I just had to turn open the pipe cups ID for the OD of the gauge bezel clearance. The nice thing about this is I just put 1/4x28 allen head set screws in the side of the gauge cup for real easy removal. You can see the set screw in the side photo. I turned out the ID on 1 pipe to 2 1/8th so the smaller hole saw can slide completely thru it, this made a perfect bushing guide to drill the inner dash thru the pre drilled holes in the dash bezel. When I get time I will post the other pics of the process. It realy wasn't that big a deal.

 

That's a nice setup. I also used the pvc pipe but put them on the column. Didn't want the pillar either. Pic is in my gallery. I like yours better though. Good stuff.

 

Holiday, Did you cap the back of the pipe cups with something? I bought the colum mount pod but would rather put the fuel pressure gauge in the middle on the colum sorta like the way you have them there. I put the rest of the 'how to" photos in my gallerie, this will make my comments clear to understand when you see the pics.

 

I don't have the backs covered right now. Wasn't exactly sure what to do there yet. To secure the pipe I drilled a hole in the bottom and attached it directly to the column cover with countersunk screws so the gauges stayed as low as possible. Had to drill a hole in the top also so I could countersink the inside of the pipe on the bottom.

 

Holiday,
Thanks for answering my next question ! Hey , I could use the top hole for the 1/4x28 allen head set screw to hold the gauge in. Looks like im gona Ebay that colume gauge pod soon.

 

Nice work guys....

Have you seen the Scotty Pod??

http://www.scottyairsystems.com/Dodge%20Pod.htm

 

Evil, The scotty system looks like a nice way to go also. Just one word of caution when installing the scotty. Take a straight edge and put it against the gauge panel face and tip the panel face down untill the panel face is not perpendicular to the windsheild above it. Gauges without visors will reflect them selves on to the winsheild at night if the gauge face is not pitched down enough. I learned that the hard way with my ol 6.5 Chev.

 

I will keep that in mind....thanks Walt

BTW, wasnt bashing your install - it looks great (can you post pics once everything is done?)....I just wanted to let others know about the pod since its a kind of custom job.

 

slick install Walt L, I'm still wait for some time to finish my set up os a console