"A" pillar gauge install advice please

[msimmons]

Gentlemen:



I have an '03 DR2500 4x2 w/HO CTD and 48RE and would like to install boost, trans temp and exhaust gas temp gauges using a molded gray "A" pillar pod from Geno's. I have several questions for the group for anyone who has done this installation or is familiar with it.



1. ) I am torn between using the Pricol and Autometer gauges. The Pricol units most closely match the OEM I/P cluster, but <sigh> they are made in India. I prefer to keep my $$ in the US... . any thoughts?



2. ) Any strong feelings on the order of precedence of the gauges? Boost on top, middle, bottom etc? How would you stack 'em?



3. ) On another site, I found installation instructions that recommend using the "A" pillar pod mount over the old "A" pillar molding because the back side of the gauges and wiring will show thru the windshield if the gauge pod is used by itself... has anyone run into this?



4) I'm familiar with the trans temps I can expect, but what kind of boost readings can I expect from a stock engine... also EGT readings?



5. ) Any info available on an install like this available on the web or in back issues of TDR?



Thanks in advance for your collective knowledge!



Mike

 

[Ken F]

I would like to know stock boost numbers too.

 

[JWillms]

I have Auto Meter gauges in my A piller mount, maybe I can help you out.



1) My Auto Meters match pretty well day and night, its not perfict but what do you expect for afternarket.



2) I stacked mine (Top to Bottom) Boost, EGT, transmission temp. Did it that way basded on how fast each gauge moved, boost moves fastest, transmission the slowest, and EGT somewhere inbtween depending on how your driving.



3)I cut my handle off and used becuse of the gap shown threw the font window. I think it looks better that way then having a gap, and I didnt mind cutting my handle.



4)Im pretty much stock and my boost is about 19-20 and WOT. EGTs I cant get over 1100(pre turbo) at WOT up hill, but I havent had a big load hooked up to see what its like then



Hope that helps.

Justin<><

 

[KHaeckler]

A Pillar

I used a pro pod and painted it with a can of Mopar paint to match the interior. I did NOT want to cut my handle off so I used this cover as a total replacement. I simply took the trim strip off the stock pillar cover and glued it onto the pro pod cover. It looks like it's from the factory. There is NO gap visible and fits like a glove. If I sell my truck, I can just put the stock cover & handle back on and keep my gauges. Good luck!



Karl

 

[AndyMan]

I ended up hacking the grab handle off. I just couldn't get a fit that I liked any other way.



Mine are Di-Pricols, stacked top to bottom. . Pyro, Boost, Fuel Pressure.



Pics day and night in my readers rigs.



Good luck with whatever you decide.

Andy

 

[Ken F]

AndyMan



How does this set up effect your vision? I am thinking of doing the same thing, but I am concerned about creating a blind spot.



Ken.

 

[Mark Craig]

Gauge Brands

msimmons,



I understand your "Buy American" I couldn't agree more and follow this practice whenever practical. However the Dipricol's are a super product and are made in the same location as one of the most well known gauges out there. We sell both Auto Meter and Dipricol's and they both have great customer service and well made quality products. The ratio of problems we incur with either is pretty much the same too!



Mark @ DPPI

 

[AndyMan]

Originally posted by Ken F

AndyMan



How does this set up effect your vision? I am thinking of doing the same thing, but I am concerned about creating a blind spot.



Ken.

I don't think it creates a blind spot per se'. It's more of a minor obstruction that takes a little getting used to. I'm 6'2", so I sit pretty much all the way back. I can however see how it may be more of an obstruction for someone shorter. With all that said, sometimes I DO FEEL like I have to kind of peer around them when turning to the left at an intersection. I know a couple of others have complained about impeded vision with the pillar. All things considered, I'd still do it again.



Hope that helps,

/Andy

 

[BigCarl64]

Where do you find the correct wire to hookup the gauge lighting so that it dims with the factory dash? I cannot find the right wire.

 

[AndyMan]

If memory serves, pop off the headlight/dimmer switch panel. There should be an orange wire with a white tracer. That should be the variable voltage wire that will dim with the dash.



Good luck,

/Andy

 

[Bertram65]

I have the autometer phantom series, they look great during the day but at night they do not match the factory guages at all. The factory gauges change color at night the Autometer phantom are just backlit so they remain the same color, the light just comes from around the edges of the face not through the face of the guage. My truck is an SO so boost may not be relivent but it goes to 23lbs all the time unloaded, I have not hauled anything heavy enough to see if it will go higher.

 

[Jengle]

I have the Diprocols in my 04. They look great, but I would put the green plastic covers on the regular bulbs. It is not enough of a difference to make my pull the guages out, but if I had to do it again, that is what I would do. Check my readers rigs for some pics. IMO, it does not interfere with my vision, maybe a slight hairline more than the stock pillar with the handle. I don't notice a difference. I laid mine out with boost at top, then EGT, then FP. Doing it again, I would put FP at top and Boost in center, then EGT at bottom. Again, not enough difference to make me switch them. I used the stock pillar under the new one, and it matched enough, I didn't have to paint, and no wires show through the front. I got mine from DPP in Washington, and the pillar was a perfect fit. The color looks stock and I get a lot of people that think it came from Dodge that way. I don't know if it's the same pillar as Geno's has. I wired mine into the factory harness at the light switch, so they will dim with the factory lights. On the 03s, it was orange, with white tracer, but on mine, there are no such wires. It turned out to be an orange with grey tracer, but there are two like wires on the light switch plug, one is correct, the other not. The only way to find the right one, is with a meter and straight pin. The two wires are identical, so you can't tell from outside. Mine match the factory at night pretty well, as they are.