A-pillar gauge mount - gap at windshield

[LRutigliano]

I'm installing boost, pyro and trans temp gauges with the A-pillar mount and you can see behind the A-pillar when looking at the windshield of the truck. There is approx a 1/4 to 1/2" gap all the way down the windshield beyond the black out area.



Anyone else have this problem?



I'm considering adding some black foam tape onto the backside of the A-pillar cover to conceal the gap.



Wondering if I should drill into it and suck it back towards the structure.



I'm pretty disappointed in this piece of plastic. The gauge retainers don't fit because there is no clearance between the inner plastic and the gauge case. I'm having to fab up my own separate pieces or not install any at all. The gauges are pretty tight in the holes.



Also, the color isn't an exact match either and the factory one has a nice color matched seal that touches the windshield and the new one doesn't.



Someone is making a nice profit on this $64 piece of plastic...



Thanks,

Louis



Thanks,

Louis

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Well, mine is one bought thru Geno's Garage - and for a 2nd generation truck - but hopefully the same install and end results aren't all that far apart - here's a pic of mine, but unfortunately only partially shows the fit:



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Mine does fit snuggly against both the windshield and the door opening, as it should.



You may have to move the piece around a bit for best overall fit, and then push in gently but firmly to simulate what the fit will actually be after securing the pillar mount. On mine, the gauge openings worked great with my Westach gauges, they were a firm push fit, and required NO securing hardware - yet can be moved as needed for best straightness of markings - but do NOT move or vibrate out of position once adjusted.



Good luck with yours.

 

[Midnight]

Mine looks like that as well, with a small gap while looking from outside in. I installed one on a friends with the same resault. He used some black foam on the inside and it looks good. I'll have to do mine.

 

[rbattelle]

Mine has a gap too, but I don't care.

I figure the gap is there because the plastic gauge pods are meant to be installed OVER the existing A-pillar (you cut off the handle). By removing the original A-pillar and installing the new gauge mount alone, the gap is present.

My gauge holes were undersized as well, but I prefer it that way - lets me widen them just enough to exactly fit my gauges. Mine didn't come with any gauge retainers at all. I just use the fit through the holes to hold my gauges.

Ryan

 

[LRutigliano]

Again... . Many, many thanks to you TDR members.



You guys keep answering my questions no matter how crazy or trivial they may seem. I'm super anal when it comes to the truck, so I really appreciate all the feedback.



Regards,

Louis

 

[WMoroni]

I just installed mine last week. But, didnt notice a gap. I was to worried about the color not matching the oem piece I removed. Now tomorrow when I get in my truck it the gap will probaly stick out like a sore thumb. Thanks. I didn't use my gauge retainers either. Took a piece of sandpaper and made a nice tight fit.

 

[CumminsBu]

Mine doesn't have a gap. It fits up against the windshield.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

My '97 went over the stock pillar, no gap. My '06 replaced the stock pillar, no gap. Both pods are from Genos. Didn't use gauge retainers on either truck, gauges had a snug fit on both.

 

[JasonCzerak]

my Edge + 1 was a little thin and not perfect for my tastes. The tipple box is thicker and fits perfect.

 

[WMoroni]

Looked at mine real close today. The fit is really good. No gap at all. Still not real happy with the color though. I would check to se if your are pinching some of your wires or if your gauge retainers are hitting the a pillar and holding the cover out away from the windsheild. No reason for yours to have a gap and mine to fit perfect.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Still not real happy with the color though.

Genos has color matching paint for about $8 a can.

 

[phloop]

I used a 3 gauge pod from Autometer that replaces the complete A-pillar piece. It fit's up against the windshield with no gap. When I installed it I test fitted it with no gauge first, when I added the gauges the wire loom was in the way and caused the pod to have a gap at the windshield. After moving the wires around it fit in snug.



And the color on it is a little lighter than the stock color and has a different gloss to it. But after a while I don't really notice it any more.

 

[Midnight]

What is being said, is it is tight up against the glass. But stand in front of the truck and look at the pillar. Can you not see the insides along the edge on the left side?

 

[phloop]

What is being said, is it is tight up against the glass. But stand in front of the truck and look at the pillar. Can you not see the insides along the edge on the left side?

When I stand at the front of my rig and look in through the windshield I can not see the inside of the gauge mount A-pillar. That edge you are refering to is close enough to the pillar that is does not have a gap.



Mine does flare out a little right at the bottom but with the black paint band around the edge of the windshield it can not be seen from outside.

 

[LRutigliano]

I "think" I've narrowed this down to a 2003 truck problem.



At work in the parking lot, we have quite a few CTDs and some even have gauges. Mine is one of the few (if not only) 2003's. Everyone else's is newer.



On mine, with the stock grab handle cover, the "seal" that touches the windshield can be seen from the front of the truck.



On the newer trucks, the "seal" is hidden by the black out zone of the windshield.



So... I think the 2003's may have different windshield with a smaller vertical black out zone.



Does this make sense?



The gauge pillar p/n is AM 17213 and on a 2006 in the parking lot, you can't see the edge or see the PS grab handle pillar "seal".



I guess I will put some foam tape along the edge of mine to conceal the wires.



Louis

 

[phloop]

It's winter time. Lot's of rocks on the road this time of year. Lot's of rock pit's in the windshield that can lead to cracks. Got insurance?



When you get a rock pitted windshield you can replace it with a newer style windshield.



And you may even get a few free dinners from Shari's. :-laf

 

[drury]

I've had and Edge Attitude and Quadzilla Commander A-pillar mount. Both of them don't fit snug against the A-pillar on the windshield side. I don't like it and am open to the first quality solution I read about. I really need some good way to attach it to the A-pillar that is detachable. I get in there often enough that double sided tape is not a good answer.

 

[LRutigliano]

This gauge pillar problem has been driving me crazy. I ordered another pillar, p/n AM 17213 and it fit exactly like the original one.



Today at work I saw a 2003 and a 2004. 5 side by side and I measured the vertical black out zone on each windshield. People in the parking lot that saw me were probably ready to dial 911... "Uhhh, yeah, there's this crazy person measuring the edge of windshields out here... "



The 2004. 5 and up black out zone is approx 1/4" wider than the 2003's. Also, I saw Dodge "save cost", oh excuse me, "design more intelligently" in that the 2003 A-pillar cover has a very nice taupe color bulb seal that touches the windshield. On the 2004. 5's and up, they eliminated the seal and extended the black out zone to hide the hard edge of the plastic cover.



No one has ever heard of this issue at Diesel Manor, Pure Diesel Power or Auto Meter, but it takes a crazy (super anal) person like myself to see these things. :-laf



Bottom line: I need to add some black foam tape to the exposed edge of my gauge pillar cover or get a new windshield.



Just wanted to share this with all.



Thanks,



Louis

 

[RMalone]

It is funny how after 5yrs of 3rd gens that NO ONE has come out with an a-pillar cover that fits/looks right. The single hole srt-10 pillar I am using fits perfect, its the right color and texture and was under 50 bucks. But you have to be willing to live with one hole, for me that meant an SPA egt/boost. I had been using a Banks 2 hole and if you guys think your a-pillar cover is junk, eyeball one of the Banks, simply deplorable!!