Got gauges...need more mounts!

[azcummins]

I've got the triple pillar now loaded with EGT, boost and oil temp. I'm going to add a FP gauge and another boost (post intercooler to see if clamps are loose) but I do not have anywhere to mount them.



Some of my ideas are or were

1. ) Get a piece of plastic and fab it up to fit in ashtray since I don't use it. I'm concerned that it won't sleek and match the inside of the truck and the gauges won't be readily visible.

2. ) Get a single mount and cut it up to fit above the 3rd gauge in the triple pillar, but the A-pillar flares out so I don't think that would work

3. ) Get a pod for the top of the dash, but I don't think that looks good.

4. ) Get SPA dual gauges, but they are WAY to costly and I don't like digital gagues.



What other ideas do you have? I'd like to get my gauges in soon.



Thanks!

 

[JR2]

Check out the pic of the guages in the last TDR mag, in the story about road relay 4. It takes the place of the cup holder the best I can tell. Looks like about 10 guages...

 

[azcummins]

JR2-

The pic above the "diagnostic" section of the Road Relay Article by the earthroamer guy? That big plate looks cool if it was a war machine, but I think it might look bad in my truck.



Guess I could make a plate to fit in the hole in the dash in front of my shifter.

 

[Goddard]

dual gauges

check out westach gauges. they come as dual gauges but are not digital with the digital cost. can see them @genos.

 

[JR2]

I was kind of kidding when I typed it. I guess for the earthroamer guy it is okay but to me it was a bit ugly. Maybe you could build a custom console of some sort that sat on the floor. My Dad used one of the genos donut mounts for his FP guage and mounted it on the knee bolster just next to the ash tray. . It looks okay and is out of the way.

 

[Des]

Triple gauge mount for the dash

What about the triple gauge mount geno's sells that fits up on the center of the dash? It would keep everything looking the same with out adding any "custom built" gauge holders. You would have one hole left but you could put an hour meter in this hole or I am sure you could come up with another guage that was a must have.

 

[azcummins]

Des-

Thought about the above dash pod, but I was concerned about visiblity restriction. I'm 6'2" though so maybe it isn't an issue. I also wanted to keep dash somewhat uncluttered. Thought I might be able to keep the "cockpit" feel I have now with the A-pillar mount.



I'm warming up the above dash pod, but I'll have to see one/sit in truck with one before I'm 100# sold.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I prefer to have my guages up high so I don't have to take my eyes to far from the road. When I first bought my used truck, there was a pyro and boost guage cobbled into the ashtray area. Never liked looking down. They are on the piller now along with post boost.



I also have a 3 guage pod on the dash. There was a question on the reflection from these pods the other day. Yes they do reflect but you get used to it quickly. Same with the pod in general. After a time, it's just part of the scenery.



One thing though, when I had my dash rolled back to access things, I put a small notch in the front of the dash for the wires to pass rather than just crush them under the sharp front of the dash. You don't notice the notch or wires but they won't slide for placing the pod.



Sometime, I have some wiring work to update soon. When I do, I am going to take a 1" holesaw to the dash. That will make for easy manipulation of the wires. Figure I will just leave the pod when I sell it. Course', I love to drill holes in trucks and cars.

 

[azcummins]

QRTRHRS:

So how are your wires routed now? If I go the dash pod route, can I just pop off the front fascia of the dash and get to my wires easy. (seems like there is space to route/see in there last time I had it off).



thanks for all your ideas guys and gals!

 

[Bigsaint]

The MIL FP mount

If you are thinking of a Autometer or similar weather resistant gauge, here's another thought... .



#ad




While it's not for everyone, it's different than the norm and works for me. No drilling through the hood is required. I built a custom bracket from a piece of stock steel which actually wraps under the hood. The bracket is secured to the underside of the hood with two self tapping screws. I drilled where there is a 'pocket' so that I wouldn't tamper with the frail DC paint. The gauge in the pic. is a Autometer Ultralite 2 5/8" mech. fuel pressure unit with a Autometer pod. Inside the loom is the braided SS line and the +/- wires for the power. The loom and it's contents also wrap around the hood and snake through and into the engine compartment. The pic. is a bit dated, I removed that ugly white zip tie and replaced same with a black tie for a neater appearance.



Scott W.

 

[azcummins]

Bigsaint-

Aren't you worried about people hitting you b/c they drive by and go, "What the freak is that?" Looks cool though, but with all the snow here, I probably wouldn't be able to read it! That or some jerk would steal it like they did my lug nut covers... JERKS...

 

[Bigsaint]

Mark, all of the gawking at my truck is already related directly to the STACK. To date, no collsions. There was that time a very small adult became glued to my hood as I spooled up the turbo... . but that's a bad memory for me and I'd rather not go into the details .



I live in the country out here and don't have a problem with the theft aspect. So far .



Scott W.

 

[JBlock]

I just installed the guage pod, from Andy -- email address removed --, it look greats, there is a slight reflection at night. But I think it will go away when I get the green color blubs shields from Andy which will reduce the intensity of Isppro EV guages. Also I am considering a small lip extension about 1-1/2 inch to conseal the reflection. my wife 5-7 and she has not complained about any reduce visuality. Iam six foot and have no problems with visility. Sheis happy to have the exhaust guage so she know when to shutdown the engine.



Note to get to the wires to the Pod during installation pull out the heater controls and you can feed the wires easily up from firewall through the dash. I used a dramal tool to make two 3/4" pipe size holes in the top of the dsh behind and under the guage pod. Then, if I remove the guages later a standard pipe eschion can be used to patch the dash.



Joe

Originally posted by azcummins

Des-

Thought about the above dash pod, but I was concerned about visiblity restriction. I'm 6'2" though so maybe it isn't an issue. I also wanted to keep dash somewhat uncluttered. Thought I might be able to keep the "cockpit" feel I have now with the A-pillar mount.



I'm warming up the above dash pod, but I'll have to see one/sit in truck with one before I'm 100# sold.

 

[Bigsaint]

Forgot to add

Mark, the first gauges I put in the truck are shown here... .



#ad




I'm 6'1" and have no problem seeing the road.



Scott W.

 

[wyosteve]

az, I'm sorta in the same boat trying to decide where to mount my fp gauge when it gets here. I'm going to try and fabricate some type of mounting bracked that will attach to and below the trim ring for the instrument cluster. Kinda hard to describe, but I mounted my cell phone holder to it above the radio area with 3 self tapping screws and it works well.

 

[azcummins]

WYOsteve-

Let me know how that might work out. I'll be interested to see what it looks like.



Are you coming this sunday?

 

[JR2]

I once saw a guy that had mounted all his guages on on one of those shelves that mount on the roof of the cab by the sun visors. He built a custom front for the shelf and then had about 5 guages up there with a bunch of switches for lights and such with em.

 

[LarryB]

Do like I did!



use an electric solenoid to switch the feed hose back and forth. You only need one gauge. I use this method to switch my 60lb boost gauge feed to the exhaust back pressure tap on my e-brake. I even use the same wiring from the e-brake to trigger the solenoid. If the e-brake is on, the gauge reads exhaust back pressure. If the e-brake is off, the gauge reads manifold boost. Works perfect.



#ad


goto part

goto Grainger page

 

[azcummins]

LarryB-

Where can I get such a switch and does it have a specific name?

 

[BRobertson]

dash pod

Mark,

I'm the same height you are and I think the 3gauge dash pod is great!!

It doesn't create any blind spot and with my Dakota Digital gauges it doesn't reflect at night!!! They are a type of LED and don't require backlighting.

Bob