Gauge mount for dash cubby?

[Steve M]

I'm seeing gauge mounts for the A-pillar and even one for the steering column. Does an aftermarket company make a faceplate gauge mount for the dash cubby? I could make one but it would probably look kinda scarey!

The other option I've considered is drilling out the cigar lighter to accept a Westach boost/EGT combo with a white face to match the dash. 12v should be pretty easy to find behind the cigar lighter.

I really would like to re use my VDO gauges again...

 

[BarryG]

You might take a look in the classifieds there was a guy making them for earlier models it may fit not sure. I didn't find it until after i finished. I just went to the hardware store picked up a piece of 8"x8" lexan or plexiglass 1/8' thick for a couple bucks. Took out the cubby hole used it for a stencil and cut it out. scratched it with some fine sandpaper and painted it black on both sides with a satin spray paint. Turned out really well, took about 20 minutes total time and once installed you can't tell it doesn't belong.

 

[dmurdock]

quad?sumthin products makes them . . quadzilla performance?? can't remember the name exactly. . they look very nice.

 

[Steve M]

Thanks for the tip... I went to quadzilla performance and they list a 2 and 3 hole gauge bazel but no picture. I might order one and hope for the best. Thanks again...

 

[DBVZ]

Please give a report when you get the part. Odd they don't provide a picture.

 

[scarlton]

Here is a pic. Gauge Mounts

 

[Steve M]

SCarlton, Is that the one from Quadzilla Performance? If it is I'll order one from them... Thanks!

 

[scarlton]

Yes it is from Quadzilla

 

[Casey Balvert]

Has anyone done that with the Laramie Package yet? I think the cubby hole is smaller in the vertical dimension. Looks like the gauges just fit in the SLT.



Casey

 

[scarlton]

Casey

I Dont know if they will fit a Laramie or not. Send a private message to: qzilla

I think he works at or owns Quadzilla Performance

 

[qzilla]

Guage Mounts

We have done them in the Laramie trucks, but they don't lok that great in my opinion. The problem is not really the cubby hole size, but the wood grain. The take and overlay the wood over the normal console and it doesn't let the mounting plate fit right. With that said we have had several trucks were all different. I can't seem to figure out what exactly Dodge has done! We have tried to come up with some different ideas for the people that have 4x4 as well as heated seats, but everytime we make something the next truck we take apart is different. It is really frustrating! I know these mounts will work on trucks w/o heated seats and 4x4 and without the woodgrain. We have had customers cut them and modify them and they say the will work with 4x4, but I am not claiming that!



By the way those gauges turned out good!

If you have any questions I will try to answer them for you.



Quad



PS Has anyone used a good fitting quality pillar mount? I have ahd several here but they either require you cut the handle off or replace teh whole a-pillar, and on top of it none of them have fit very well at all. So if you have used one and are happy with it let me know!

 

[scarlton]

qzilla

qzilla, you might want to clarify that part about the 4x4 cause it will work on some, like mine, with the 4x4 shifter on the floor (not the electronic switch in the cubby hole)

 

[Steve M]

I still may order the bazel from Quadzilla but for now, I cut out the side of an old Fiberbuilt tool box for the leather look and used an Autometer 3 gauge under dash mount behind it for stiffness. I'm going to replace the VDO transmission temp gauge with an Autometer gauge for better response as soon as Geno's sends it too me. The VDO gauge doesn't move much. Not too shabby eh!

 

[Casey Balvert]

Looks great.



Casey

 

[rbattelle]

Steve,



How's the visibility from the driver's seat? Are you able to accurately read all 3 gauges without having to lean over?

 

[Don Edmonds]

Cubby Gage Inst.

I just installed Autometer Phantom series white faced gages (EGT. Boost & Trans. Temp) in the cubby using the Quadzilla mounting plate. It was fairly easy, took most of Sunday afternoon in the cab and routing the cables & tubes under the hood. I drilled a 1/2" hole through the center of about a 1" hole in a casting above where the clutch pedal would be. It worked out well. I'm afraid to drill into the manifold of a $7000+ engine so I mounted the EGT probe through a boss close to the turbo on the exhaust elbow. I had to drill and tap but it wasn't to hard a job Geno's sent a fitting for the boost manifold so that was easy, no drilling or tapping. The trans. temp. I will wait until time to change the fluid and install a Mag Hytec pan unless someone has a good way otherwise. The gages look good and match well with the white face but the dial is recessed about 1/4" behind the glass and I do have to bend a little to see them well. All in all it suits me fine. My biggest use is to tell when to shut the ignition off after stopping & trans. temp. when I'm towing.

 

[Steve M]

Thanks Casey!

Visibility from the driver's seat is acceptable with analog gauges. Straight up on the pointer is normal operating range. 15-25psi for boost, 750-850post turbo for EGT, and 180* for trans temp when I get the Autometer trans temp gauge installed. So a glance at the gauges while driving is very easy from the driver's seat. For shut down I can lean just a little and watch for 300*F. For me, being far sighted, pillar mounted gauges are too close and I can't focus on them with a glance. I see better farther away so the dash cubby is a better option. Just a glance at the pointers for straight up or to the left of center is all I need to know while driving. My co-pilot likes to watch them too and she reports temps and boost as part of the scenery!

 

[Steve M]

Don, with the Quadzilla bazel, are the gauges all facing forward or do they conform to the curve of the dash like the a/c controls. Is the bazel flush with the dash or recessed like my makeshift bazel? I'd still like to have a Quadzilla bazel but I haven't seen a pic of the three gauge bazel. Is it flat or curved?

 

[Don Edmonds]

Bezel Mount

Steve; The gages and Guadzilla mount conform to the curve of the dash. The mount is 1/16 painted crackle black aluminum. It's cut so it mounts with the cubby reinstalled. You either have cut a hole in the back or top of the cubby for the cables, which I did, or just saw the back of the cubby off. In other words the cubby pushes the mount against the dash board. You have to remove the rubber cubby mat. It works well and looks good. Don

 

[Steve M]

Thanks Don, Now I have a better idea about it. It sounds like you could still salvage the cubby if you traded trucks down the road.