Gages in place of cup-holder in '01?

[snowracer69]

Hey all,



Friend of mine is into making custom enclosures for just about anything (he's doing an insane setup in his new-to-him '02 1500 Dodge for his stereo system)... so, I'm thinking of having him help me build an enclosure to replace the stock cup holders/area in my '01. I would like to put my 3 gages across the top, angled towards me (have FP in cubby hole already), Comp inlaid into the box, probably a CB, and a panel of switches (I'm a pilot, and I LIKE switches... LOTS of switches!!). Depending on how far I get on this project LED's will probably be sunk inside w/ a graphic of some sort cut out on the top to glow through. Haven't got that far yet though.



What I need is some ideas / pics of what people have done there. Is it feasible? I know I'll be giving up my middle seat, but after the g/f of 2. 75 years broke it off the other day, I'm not worried about anyone sitting there... any future g/f's can ride shotgun. Also have a cup-smoothie, so no worry there.



What do y'all think? Good idea? Bad idea? Also, what would be best material to make this out of? Wood? Maybe can buy some ABS plastic off Eric who makes the plates for the cubby hole?



Thanks for any help... Josh

 

[SS]

cool idea

Josh,



I have my CB in place of the trim panel on my '01 (manuals have the cupdumper on the floor. ) I was also considering gauges in that spot, but couldn't come up with a clean way of doing it, at least not with my skills. I was thinking of trimming the panel I removed or finding a glovebox door to use since it has the same profile and color. I'm interested to see what other ideas are out there though since even my CB needs a finishing touch.

 

[CFowler]

great idear. i have a single guage in that spot. soon two more to go next to that one. i used a bullet mount from genos. still use my cup holders,only it dont close- ok with me im married it is allways open. i removed the unit ,mounted the bracket and put it back up. looks good ,got 12v from the lightabove the cup holder.

 

[snowracer69]

Well, I've already got my gauges fully installed and wired up in the pillar. I used the 3 pod pillar as a replacement so still have my stock one in good shape. I'm just looking to do something a little different and maybe a bit "stealthier" then the gauges on the pillar.



I'm going to do some measuring one of these days (when the homework slows down a bit), then I'm gonna draw some stuff up on Catia at school and see what I like.



My friend has told me he'd help, and also given the idea of having it professionally covered in vinyl when it's done so it looks good.



Anybody have some pics of something like this that they've built? How's visibility of gauges and stuff? Like I said though, I plan on turning the face of it towards the driver so it's easier to see.



Josh

 

[kschitoskey]

Have you seen Earth-Roamer 's custom guage / switch set-up? Sounds very similar to your plans. Very well done - shame all that talent will now be wasted on a Ford...

 

[nblack]

Josh,

How about something like this?





http://www.tdr1.com/forums/attachment.php?postid=738067



Nathan

 

[nblack]

Good, the link worked.

Thanks to fj40charles for posting the pic.



I plan on adding 3 more gauges across the top and a 'cubby hole' below the switches.



It's constructed of 3/4 " plywood sides covered in 1/4" foam, wraped in vinyl.

The gauge panel is 1/4" ply wrapped in grey tweed fabric.

Cup holders are billet aluminum.







Nathan

 

[esommer2500]

That is sweeeet! Almost make me with I had an auto. I said "ALMOST"!

 

[snowracer69]

nblack, you just became my newest-best friend!!!



Some initial questions:



1. How did you secure it in place?



2. Was it professionally covered?



3. Is the gauge/switch panel removable seperately as it apprears to be, and if so, how is it seperately secured?



4. Where'd you get the cup-holders? Was thinking that since I have the smoothie I wouldn't put cup holders in and would instead mount my CB there, but those are cool!!!



5. There's obviously room across the top for 3 gauges? I plan on putting three of my four in one row (FP is in cubby hole already).



6. Are switches relayed or direct wired? Not like that really matters, 'cause I'm sure there's plenty of room for large gage wire in there.



7. Do you think it would be possible to "turn" the entire gage panel towards the driver rather then having to shim the gauges? I want to do this so I can more easily reach my Comp (which will be inlaid) and so I don't have to build any extra things to turn the gages towards me.



8. Can you get me more pics please? Not to be a pest, but I'd like to know the in's and out's of this if at all possible.



Thanks, and sorry for all the questions.



Josh

 

[BreaksEverything]

well there goes my cup holder

it only collected junk any how

 

[nblack]

Answers for Josh:



1)It's sort of a 'compression' fit. It's really tight and doesn't move at all. There are no screws or bolts so if I decide to remove it the factory cupholder can go back in.



2)I'm not a 'pro' but I did cover it myself.



3)The gauge panel is seperate and removable. Right now it's a tight fit that holds it in place. I do have small angle brackets inside that secure it to cleats.



4)I made the cup holders.



5)



6)switches are relayed



7)You could probably do it but I don't know how it would fit/look since the dash area is pretty much flat.



8)PM me your E-mail addy or e-mail me -- email address removed --

I'll send you more pics. I just can't (don't know how to) resize them to post.



You're not a 'pest'



Nathan

 

[snowracer69]

Nathan,



email is -- email address removed -- and I'd appreciate it if you would send any/all pics you have of your setup there.



Thanks for all the info, and when I get further into this I'm sure I'll have more questions for you.



Josh

 

[truckstom]

nblack...

that's too cool... I saw your truck is TOM on DTR. . awesome

 

[nblack]

Josh, YGM!





truckstom, Thanks!

 

[snowracer69]

Well, spent about 3. 5 hours today starting to design/build my console. I had a rough sketch drawn up (have to use those engineering skills for something) and then went off that and did things by feel. Only took three tries to get my first side fit right, and I used one of those initial tries to make the second side (drivers) go faster. I have everything set so it's angled almost directly at me. CB is mounted vertically next to the middle seat. With the cup-smoothie, I can't really see the CB well unless I lean forward, but that doesn't bother me at all, cause once I'm in cruise, CB will be on 19 and will leave it there.



Am planning on covering the side panels with carpet such as that used on sub-boxes. Front panel, well, I'm just not sure what I'm going to use there. What did you use again nblack? I really like the way yours looks.



Have a space behind the CB, before the main panel that lays flat... am going to try and get Dave at DTProFab to make me a Cummins "C" that I will inlay in that spot and backlight with a blue LED. Will look "rice", but I think will add a cool custom touch.



Sorry, no pics tonight. Am going to finish the frame-up/fab tomorrow and will take pics then. Probably won't cover till mid-week or next weekend, and that's when I'll move my gages too. Am going to inlay all three gages, my Comp, have 3 switches that I will put in, and my rheostat (sp?) for the amp that runs my sub (tip from my stereo buddy who's helping me with all this). Considered making it into an "entertainment" center and inlaying an LCD screen, but don't have the $$$ right now... maybe someday .



Will keep this updated.



Josh

 

[snowracer69]

Ok, here's the pics of my setup. I have extremely high-detail pics if anyone is interested... these were shrunk severly to make for easier download.



Now that I have it built, it wouldn't take much to build another. I really like it so far. Will probably cover it on Thursday and then move my gauges down into it on Saturday. Have a couple little tricks that really helped in building it. Will end up adding more switches, as those three are already going to be used.



One on the left is already hooked up as an inline switch for my CB. That way I can leave it on all the time, and since it's powered via a "key-on" switch, all I have to do is flip the panel switch and she comes on. Handy since I don't want it on all the time, especially if my antenna isn't hooked up. Middle switch is going to be relayed to a on/off for my fuel transfer pump. The LED in the cubby-hole panel is connected to this. Third switch is going to be used as a lockout. Had a tip PM'd to me on how to make the pickup a little harder to start by adding an inline switch... will come in handy when leaving my pickup in at the Phoenix Airport.



Had plans to inlay my Comp, but once I had the panel set, it was a long reach, so decided to leave it as is. Am probably going to find someone to cut me out a Cummins "C" logo and inlay it just ahead of the CB, before the vertical panel, and backlight it with an LED.



Here's the pics:



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Will have more pics after I cover it and everything is in.



I'm happy with it... and surprisingly proud of my wood work... usually I don't get this far and I get ****** and quit! Oo.



Josh

 

[nblack]

Lookin' good!!



I used a grey tweed fabric on the gauge panel. I wanted a little contrast with the grey vinyl. Look for it at automotive apholstry shops, usually can't find it at your regular fabric stores. It's pretty popular in street rods/custom car interiors.





Nathan

 

[snowracer69]

Ok, more pics... it's covered now!!! Oo.



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I got twice the vinyl I needed, and twice the fabric I needed for the face from a local shop for $5... good guy and he'll get my business again. The color match isn't perfect to the interior, but I don't really care.



A buddy helped me wrap it w/ vinyl... two hands were nice to have. Didn't use heat or glue, just lots of staples. Only have two small imperfections, both at the corners at the rear near the CB. Can't see either unless you're looking for them.



To do it again, I'd build more error into the wood itself, because as you can see from the side-view from the drivers side, the horizontal shelf doesn't sit flush becaus the fit is too tight!!! No biggie though, as it looks good to me.



Gauges will probably go in Saturday. Didn't cut the holes out of the fabric for them yet, just to keep it cleaner looking for a while. I like it!



Josh