A-piler gauges

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Steve G

I went with the X-Monitor and love it. I also could not get the paint to match and had to take A-pillar screw cap to a paint store and had it matched. Thought about painting the entire A and B-pillars taupe, but was concerned about how well the paint would hold up since I use the grab handle a lot to get in.



Steve

The (Natural Beige) paint is available from Mopar and from Geno's ($8. 95) in a spray can. The part # is BP05010128AA. I got the color-molded a-pillar mount, but the durn screw was black!



Dean

 

[gbraden]

I have the Westtech Combo Guage (EGT & Boost) mounted in the single pod from Geno's. Love it!

The color matches the rest of the pillar/dash and even the guage sort of matches the instrument panel, both daytime and when lit.



Since the guage is an analog one (has moving needle indication) instead of digital (numbers), I find that a quick glance shows me if things are AOK. With the digital guages, such as X Monitor, you would have to read the actual numbers and process them in your brain to know the current status. My eyes don't read fine print very good anymore. That's my $. 02.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by gbraden



Since the guage is an analog one (has moving needle indication) instead of digital (numbers), I find that a quick glance shows me if things are AOK. With the digital guages, such as X Monitor, you would have to read the actual numbers and process them in your brain to know the current status. My eyes don't read fine print very good anymore. That's my $. 02.

Me too . The digital gauges are too busy for me. We all have different needs and tastes .



Dean

 

[TCDiesel]

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[RedSmoke]

Hi Guys-



New to this, but I can tell I'll fit in well. I ordered a dual A-pillar from RPM Outlet, but when I ended up returning it. The instructions said you couldn't use the full pillar replacement with Side curtain airbags, which was one of my options.



Can you use Geno's kit with this option?



Also, do you have to cut the existing A-pillar handle off?



Thanks-

Jt

"RedSmoke"

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by RedSmoke

Hi Guys-



New to this, but I can tell I'll fit in well. I ordered a dual A-pillar from RPM Outlet, but when I ended up returning it. The instructions said you couldn't use the full pillar replacement with Side curtain airbags, which was one of my options.



Can you use Geno's kit with this option?



Also, do you have to cut the existing A-pillar handle off?



Thanks-

Jt

"RedSmoke"

With the Dodge side-curtain airbags the A-pillar pods are okay per Gino's. I had the same question and called them to be sure.

You either have to cut the handle off and mount the new moulding over it (preferred method) or remove the original moulding and handle and put it on a shelf forever.

I have seen the later method used and I could see the back of the gauges, not a real attractive sight.

I understand that a new handle is only about $50 if you ever decided to lose the gauge look.



Dean

 

[johnt1]

I went with a single A piller mount for trans temp and steering wheel mount for EGT. the single A piller mount is not as intrusive as the double mount on my 98.



The steering wheel mount works better than I expected. It blocks the odometer slightly, but not so you can't read it.



I didn't want to give up the cubby hole; it's too useful to keep my phone and palm pilot stored.



JT

 

[scotty1]

Interesting info...

Quite awhile back I was going to tackle desgining an A pillar mount.

Since I have dealt with US DOT on several occasions I asked them about this while I was inquiring about a possible safety component for my Duramax air box I had in prototype stage.



Well, the Dmax box is on the shelf as it requires removing a beefy steel tray that the factory air box would mount onto. Its an integral part of the crash parts of the truck!



So then I asked about the A-pillar and I was told that the grab handle is a grey area with them but cautioned against manufacturing something that could impair the drivers vision and later be sued for the product that was possibly the cause of an accident. The gentleman I spoke with is someone I have known for several years. He got the point across, I am staying clear of the A-pillar alterations. With my luck it would be fine but the grab handle will become a DOT required part and ... well then I'd be in deep ka ka for something else. :{

 

[Jengle]

I tried to use a dremel tool with a cut off wheel on mine, but gave that up in favor of a good old hacksaw. I used the ProPods mount and it went in slick as, well, you know what. One of the guys that was doing the work on it, held the panel in place and the screw they supplied went right in place. I figured we would have to use a scribe or screwdriver to get the holes lined up, but they went right together. We tried it both with and without the stock cover, and it does look much more like a factory install with the surgery on the stock cover and doubling them. The hardest part is taking that first whack with the saw.

 

[mgonske]

Re: Interesting info...

Originally posted by scott1

Quite awhile back I was going to tackle desgining an A pillar mount.

Scott, I sure wish someone would tackle it. I can't see why the gauge pods can't be rotated down to where they're directly in line of sight with the A-pillar, rather than rotated out into the windshield.



Too bad about the DOT thing--it's amazing what we are still able to do, what with the threat of lawyers trying to take away everything we own for their own profit.