Gauge In place of Lighter?

[MLimpert]

Has anyone put a gauge in place of their cig lighter? I took my dash apart and it looks like it could work but might be a pretty tight fit.



My concerns would be:

- What size hole saw to use?

- What is the best hole positioning from the edges of the flat spot to use?

- Do any mounting clips for the dash surround have to be destroyed?



It looks like the dash surround is muy expensive from the dealer, so I don't want to start experimenting too heavily.



Thanks

 

[MBergman]

I mounted my boost gauge there, and the fuel pressure gauge in the opposite side. I used a 2" hole saw and filed the rest out so the gauges will fit. I did loose one clip on the left side. Just be sure to drill the hole more towards to radio, otherwise the gauge may hit the inner structure of the dash. You may want to get a set of Autometer angle rings to position the gauge for better viewing. I'll try and get some pics up tonight.



The cigarette lighter is NOT easy to remove from the bezel. It also does not make it easy to drill a 2" hole in there with no place to start a pilot hole.



Marc

 

[Jeff Clark]

I had my fuel pressure gauge there and it was one of those projects that after I started I wished I hadn't, but it was too late to turn back. I cut the hole to far over and had to do more trimming behind the dash than I did on the face. I ended up buying a new dash piece and I'm going to put the FP gauge in the pillar with a SRT mount.

 

[nickleinonen]

pyro mounted there on mine... . click for pic



i also have pictures of the trimming behind the bezel needed to fit the gauge in there in this album

 

[Briman]

That looks like a great place for a fuel pressure gauge. I've been trying to figure out where to put it and that spot didn't register with me for some reason.

 

[MLimpert]

I'm wondering now if the trimming could be minimized or avoided by moving the gauge all the way to the right of the flat part of the bezel?

 

[Briman]

I like the gauge centered like Nick's. A Dremel tool will make quick work of the triming (or stick the bezel back on and use it for a template to continue with a hole saw). I used the lighter circuit for power for my boost gauge so if the fuel pressure needs power (other than lighting) it's right there. Nick, I see the horizontal hole for the clip in the plastic behind the bezel. Was there a clip in the bezel that used to go there? I,m thinking a temp gauge will go on the left side.



Marc, it would be nice to see pics of your install as well.

 

[SBashaw]

I mounted the transmission temp guage there. Only draw back is that you have to look around the steering wheel to see the guage while driving. I remounted the cig lighter on the other side of the radio by the glove box... . looks stock I posted pics about a year ago, they may still be around :

Here it is https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/member.php?u=17469

 

[Briman]

How about here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91682

 

[SBashaw]

OOPS! Thanks Briman

 

[Casey Balvert]

The Tire Sentry display uses a standard size gauge mount. I had to trim part of the mounting away but it is still nice and solid. 3rd gen doesn't have a lot of places for gauges.



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[nickleinonen]

I like the gauge centered like Nick's. A Dremel tool will make quick work of the triming (or stick the bezel back on and use it for a template to continue with a hole saw). I used the lighter circuit for power for my boost gauge so if the fuel pressure needs power (other than lighting) it's right there. Nick, I see the horizontal hole for the clip in the plastic behind the bezel. Was there a clip in the bezel that used to go there? I,m thinking a temp gauge will go on the left side.



Marc, it would be nice to see pics of your install as well.

yep, there was a clip there. the dash seems as sturdy even with that clip missing. i used my dremil with a bullit shaped diamond burr to cut the hole in the bezel for the gauge [the gauge bezel doesn't cover that much for if a hole saw slips] and that same burr to grind out the inside of the dash. i tried to take as little off as needed [as the pictures in the series show] but if you're cutting in there, might as well take enough off the first time round to make life simpler