2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission installing gauges in dash pod on top of dash

[JohnnieWinona]

So I finally purchased gauges for me rig, thinking it might be not too difficult to install.



not so, it seems.



First problem was on top of the dash. I am using a dash pod from Genos. It looks good, w/o obstructing view. But, has anyone drilled into the dash to route wires and tubing directly under the pod? I'm a bit shy doing that. Me luck I'll hit the airbag thing and break me glasses or worse.



Thanks for the ideas.



perplexed in the Land of Enchantment.

 

[Shovelhead]

You mean like this?



#ad

 

[Bob V]

On my '97 I fished them between the dash and the windshield. Didn't have to drill any holes.

Bob

 

[bmoeller]

Which one did you get?



This one?- #ad
Or was it more like this?- #ad




If it is the second one, you shouldn't need to drill anything. I didn't. This is assuming the dash you have in your truck still has a gap like a '97 does.

 

[cjohnson1]

I just installed a Geno's 3 gauge dash pod on my motorhome. While I can't give you any heads up as to what your going to hit under the Dodge dash, I can tell you to run your drill in reverse to drill the holes. In reverse it will take longer but will melt it's way thru in short order and won't hang up on the padding or upolstry as it drills. It will also help avoid hangin up on something underneath as you punch thru and try to stop the drill from turning. This works great for holesaw blade. It's a stereo installers trick. Just use an angle adapter for close work.

I think the wires on the Genos pod go thru the seam in the top of the dash. It mounts with an exhisting screw. Your gonna need to remove part of the dash to get to the wires anyway,so poke a flashlight in there and see what's under the dash back there.

I was a little surprised at the angle of the gauges on the pod. I was expecting no angle. But it worked out well. I just mounted it over a little to the right near the lip of the Coaches dash near the top. I drilled a 1 inch hole thru the leather and padding no problem. Even drilled a mounting bolt thru thesame padding in reverse and didn't hang up on the padding.

CurtisJ

Sorry, no pictures of that pod yet.

 

[rweis]

I have the dash pod like the second picture of the two pod picture. I "drilled" my dash with my dremel burr tip. I drilled the pod in the far left forward corner, positioned it so I could wire it around the A/C vent structure on the driver's left A/C vent.



I ran everything, boost hose, lots of pairs of wire, power, a seperate ground right off the battery for the gauges, lighting etc.



Works really well for me except - at night I get a reflection of the light from the gauges up in the windshield about 1/4 down from the top. I can eliminate the reflection by puting a small hood on the top edge of each gauge mounting.



I really like mine. Easy to see, doesn't block road vision. gauges sit where you would see the hood about over the power steering pump, intake heaters area of the hood.



Bob Weis

 

[JohnnieWinona]

Thanks to all the replies, they all the helped.

Shovelhead, (harley?) good photo, and all that i needed to see, presuming that you didn't hit anything with your holes. I'm not finished yet, but the boost is working along with the gauges now mounted, lights work etc... tomorrow tapping the exhust man, next will be mounting the sender in the trany oil pan. What a great resorce TDR is. great bunch of understanding drivers.

thanks



After sanding the base I was still not completely happy with the base fit of the dash pod. I put a small bead of black gasket maker, smoothed it with me fingers, wiped the surfaces clean... it now looks factory. Store the trick, it works.