Help Needed For Broken A Pilar Mounts and Clips

[Dave Remillard]

I finally received all my gauges and Pilar mount to hold them. While removing the existing A Pilar, the lower mounting clip broke, and the plastic nubs on the upper mount are also bad. I'm wondering if anyone has found a clever way to re-mount the factory A Pilar. At this point, I'm thinking I will need to order new parts from DC. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

no-strokin,



The same thing happened to me. Both my clips broke. I just used 1/2" long 2 sheet metal screws per clip, screwed in from the top side to hold the clips. The new A pillar covers hides them. You'd never know they are there.



The clips let go where they are melted to the pillar?



If yes the above worked well for me.

 

[illflem]

The tabs on mine broke off the third time I took them off, I super glued the tabs back on, that was 4 years ago, no problem...



If it's any consolation the Dodge service manual warns to have another set on hand before removing in case they break.

 

[Midnight]

Just curious, why did do you have to remove the existing a-pillar if the new one with gauges goes over top? My pillar and gauges are on the way and am wondering for my mods.

 

[illflem]

You need to remove the A-pillar in order to hide your gauge wiring as the new gauge mount doesn't extend all the way to the dash.

 

[Dave Remillard]

Midnight; To add to what illflem has stated, you should consider installing some holes in the existing A Pilar ( a 1 1/2" or 2" hole saw works great). The locations should be directly behind where the gauges will go. This allows you the ability to route your gauge wiring behind the existing, which has an adiquate amount of room to make your installation neat and clean as illflem has stated.

 

[Cooker]

As far as install goes, what no-strokin said.

 

[KGoode]

no-stroken,



Mine also broke, all I did was put the clip back on and flooded it with hot glue.

 

[tmacc]

no-strokin,

I don't know who's A-pillar your getting, but I just removed the stock one for future use and installed the new one by itself. The one from geno's is the same size as stock. It just doesn't have any tabs so you have to use a 2" sheet metal screw at the top to hold it in place. Paint the screw black if the color bothers you.

 

[Bob Cochran]

tmacc is correct I orderd mine from Autometer, probably the same as the one from Gino's. Just kept old on incase I might it for some reason later. Did not break the clips.

 

[mediccummin]

replacement

If you purchased the full a pilar just use it as a replacement as someone mentioned. Keep your stocker for later in case you need it again that way you don't cut it up and destroy it. Only takes one screw and a screw cap to hide your screw. Looks and works great. Good luck... ... ... .

 

[redneckdr]

A pillar

another thought... ..... order one of the stock a-pillar pieces from DC, without the tweeter. cut the top and bottomn part with the clips so that can be glued to the back of the new gauge mount, and reinstall using the clips. i haven't done that , but i'm considering it. so far mine is just sitting there held in place by apiece of 3/8" transmission hose on the dash under the bottomn gauge pod... ... ...

 

[MikeR]

You guys with the 98 and newer trucks. The reason you aren't breaking clips is becauase yours are different with metal spring clips, and the pillar pulls straight out.

The 94-97 pillars have plastic clips and the pillar must be pulled sideways to remove, and the plastic clips are very delicate.



I removed Both pillar trims on the wife's '95 and all the clips broke off. All I used to reattach the clips was 3M two-sided body moulding tape, and they're alot sturdier than before. I've also have them off and on several times since.



I installed the full pillar pod and I didn't like the result of just the full pod alone with one screw at the top... very unsturdy and tends to wobble. It just fits better, looks better and is much more solid and doesn't wobble when it's attached onto the original pillar trim.



-Mike

 

[mediccummin]

no wobble here

To cure that wobble with the one screw I placed a small block of wood behind the pilar with the screw passing through it. This allowed the screw to fit snug and the pilar snug with no wobble or movement what so ever. Just a little something that worked for me.....

 

[Bob Cochran]

I removed old Apillar and replace using new one with guages. Ons screw and button. Used nothing but the one screw and it is solid no wobble, wiggle , vibration. Probably just lucky because I read how you used a block of wood mediccummin and was ready to do it until mine worked without it.