A pillar mount problem

[SnoKing]

Received my Banks Gauge stuff today. They sent the wrong A pillar mount, this one has tweeter mount, my truck does not. A bigger issue is that this mount looks like a piece of xxxx. I knew I would have to paint it and have ordered the paint at Dodge dealer, however the pattern in the plastic does not match the one in the truck. Who makes a better one? Snow King

 

[DonBaggett]

I got mine from Geno's and have been pleased with it. However, I'm not sure they aren't all manufactured by the same folks.

 

[OILBRNR]

I'm sure that they are all made by the same company (maybe for Autometer) but after they are painted and installed, you'd never notice the difference in fit or pattern.



My biggest complaint, the faces of the gauges are not all on the same plane right to left.

 

[SFord]

I have the Autometer pillar and it seems to match the OEM graining pretty good. After its painted to match and installed it is very difficult to tell that it was'nt always part of the truck. But I would have to agree that they are all probably made by one vendor. Good luck

 

[SnoKing]

This one has no tabs at the front edge that I have read about in other post. I did not open the installation instructions because I am going to return it because of the tweeter issue. It has four small plugs for attachment and appears to be made to go over the existing one, not replace it - even though this is a full lenght unit. I will call Banks tomorrow. Snow King

 

[OILBRNR]

I don't know what you mean by tabs.



Personally I'd return the whole thing to Banks as I'd bet you paid way too much, for it and the gauges.



None-the-less, you don't have to use the full pillar unit as an overlay. As Geno's point out, a well placed screw above the top gauge will hold it in there nicely. i used an allen head that was about 1. 25" in length and it worked great.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Only one company makes the pillar mounts, so its basically take it or leave it. I too, agree the plastic finish is not the same pattern as the factory plastic, but you get used to it. I have the Agate interior and i did not even paint the pillar since the match was pretty close, you really dont notce it unless your in really bright sunlight (and i have i dark window tint anyhow). Those round pegs are used to attatch the pod to the stock A pillar, but you dont have to do that.

 

[Steven]

mounting the pillar

EMD ...

Could you go into a little more detail about mounting the pillar with out using the supplied pegs. I will be installing mine this weekend.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have the 3 gauge pod with the tweeter. The instructions tell you to put the gauge pod OVER the stock "A" pillar cover. You can do it this way, but then you have to cut large holes to fit the wires through and it does not completeley cover the stock pillar cover.

The thing is, with 3 gauges the pillar is heavy, so heavy it sometimes falls from the top clip. To solve that problem, i put a screw in the top, then painted the head black. Its bareley noticable and the pod is now rock solid. There is no need for a screw on the bottom since it tucks in behind the dash panel so it wont move anyhow.

Since you are putting the screw in the top, the clips serve no purpose, so there is no need to use the stock "A" pillar cover at all. Just mount your gauges, duct tape the wires against the back of the pod so they dont get caught up and slide the bottom of the pod in first, then while holding the top up, drill an 1/8" hole throug the plastic, then into the metal behind it, (you will see what i mean. there are no wires inside the metal, so dont worry, just dont drill too close the windshield) then put a #8 or #10 self tapping screw in and your done. Your pillar will never fall or come loose, no spring clips to worry about, no need for those plastic pegs, no wiring hassle and no grinding of the plastic cover. I tried not using the screw, the pillar clips just cant take the weight. If you need a pic, let me know and ill post it.

 

[Steven]

EMD ...

So you did take the OEM pillar off prior to installing the new one?

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Yes, remove the stock pillar and put it away, you wont need it if you install the pillar the way i am desribing. All you will need is an 1/8" drill bit, a #8 or #10 screw (your choice) that is about 1-1/2" long and a few pieces of duct tape to hold the wires.

 

[Cariboo]

I installed my 3-guage pod pretty much the same way as Emmdiesel (although I did put in two screws, not just one).



The other thing about not using the stock pillar is that if you trade in the truck you can re-install it... obviously that's impossible if it's all cut up.

 

[Deezul1]

Did mine that way too, works great. My pod set was also Autometer, when painted the grain mismatch is easy to over look

 

[KDRABIK]

Cheapest source for A-pillar Combo?

Okay, gents, does anyone out there have a suggestion where I might be able to pick-up the Autometer 3 gauge combo w/tweeter for the A-pillar, for the best price possible? I know there are so many different vendors out there, but what were some of the prices you paid for the gauge combo? Thanks in advance!

 

[mediccummin]

a pillar

I also used it as a replacement with one screw, but i used a hide a screw cap over my screw head so you dont see the screw at all. All you see is the cap. KD try summitracing for the gauges and pillar they where the cheapest a quickest, just my opinion. The grain on mine is a close match, can't tell the difference once it is installed. Good luck all . Dwayne

 

[Deezul1]

Try these guys for the pod, my 3 gauge was about $55-60 and got here real quick.



http://www.dieselpage.com/



Try TST for gauges

 

[SFord]

Try www.summitracing.com. They have everything you need and cheapest pricing. they also have a $6. 95 second day delivery on anything under 20 pounds if you can't wait. I could'nt wait!!!!!!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I got all my gauges from Summit too, you cant beat there shipping deals

 

[BC]

EMDDiesel,



If you don't mind could you please several pictures of you pillar mount installed including a picture of where you put the screw.



I have a 3 hole pillar with tweeter back ordered from Genos. Have a two guage holder on right now. It's unpainted and wires coming out of the bottom of the guage attachment. Looks pretty bad.



Want to do this install the right way.



Thanks, Bill Cook