Need to paint your aftermarket A-pillar? Here's the info.

[David Muench]

I picked up the paint for my pro-pods A-pillar today, and it looks to be an exact match judging by the cap. I'll spray some on to check tomorrow for sure. The paint code is TL2, which is Light Taupe according to the paint sheet, but the can is labeled "Natural Beige". . Whatever. It looked primer gray when they first handed it to me, but once you get it in the same light as the A pillar, it's a match. The part number on the can is 05010128-AA. It's from Mopar.



I've put this all in the FAQ too.



I think I'm going to try putting mine as a cover over my old A-pillar after hacksawing the handle off. . I wonder if I can glue/epoxy it on so there won't be any screw holes... hmmmm.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

That is the right paint. I used it two weeks ago and it looks great.

 

[fritzimax]

Thanks for the info, will have to get a can and respray mine in the spring when it gets a little warmer. It installs and removes very easy with the stock cover removed.

 

[David Muench]

So you put the propods cover in without the stock cover underneath it? I test fit mine today and couldn't make it fit right at all, it looked like crap. I hack sawed my grab handle off, now I'm trying to figure out whether to cover the old A-pillar or try to make it fit on it's own better. .

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

David,

Replace the old cover with the new one. It is a tight fit but it fits perfect. I did have to remove about 1/2" of plastic from the bottem left side to make it go in all the way. Put away your saw... .

 

[fritzimax]

Ditto, had to trim the bottom to get a good fit. But I don't know how you will get it to work with the stock cover under the new one, what about all the wires and the tube for the boost?

 

[David Muench]

I'll give it another shot after trimming that leg, thanks.

 

[David Muench]

Fits better now. I used my hacked up stock pillar as a template to trim the gauge pod. I'm painting it now.



As far as using it a cover and routing the wires, the two holes from removing the grab handle plus 1 more hole down near the bottom pod would of been plenty to put the wiring through.

 

[davidclark]

How difficult is it to install the boost gauge and EGT gauge and sensors? Is there a How-to or FAQ for these jobs? Thanks!

 

[jdh63]

Pyro location

David,



Did you install your temp probe pre or post turbo? If pre turbo any pictures would be great. Anyone know about a transmission temp location in the 48RE?

 

[David Muench]

I don't have any gauges yet, I just bought the pod so far. I am still trying to decide what kind of gauge to go with.



When I do get the gauges, I intend to drill the manifold and go pre-turbo like I did on my 2001. I haven't tracked down the best place to tap for boost or the 47RE temps yet (fluid exit line from transmission, yeah, but how?).



I painted the pod last night. . Took the entire can of paint and about 3-4 coats, but I think it looks pretty good.

 

[Wolfgang]

While we are talking a about A pillars can some one tell me where I can get one of those screens that go over the tweeter hole on the pod. I broke my old one and now I have tape covering the hole. Looks like H!ll

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by davidclark

How difficult is it to install the boost gauge and EGT gauge and sensors? Is there a How-to or FAQ for these jobs? Thanks!

The boost gauge is usually a piece of cake. The only wiring is for the backlighting, and generally you can just screw the boost tube into the engine somewhere with some adapters (I haven't checked where on the 3rd gens yet). The EGT is a little more tricky. . They have some more wiring (though nothing too nasty), and you have to drill and tap a hole for the probe. If you go pre-turbo, that means removing the turbo from the truck so the metal shavings don't end up in it. Post-turbo you can just remove the exhaust elbow and drill it on your workbench. Either way, don't screw it up.

 

[PCline]

I don't have any gauges yet, I just bought the pod so far. I am still trying to decide what kind of gauge to go with.

David, have you looked at the white faced Di-Pricol gauges yet. It looks like they might match the factory gauges pretty well and they light up very similar to the factory gauges too. Although I think the blue is a little more blue than the blue-green of the OEM's. I think a black bezel would match a little better than the chrome bezel too.



Anyone had any experience with Di-Pricol? Good? Bad?

 

[PCline]

Forgot to mention that this site shows the gauges lit up.



http://www.dieselpowerproducts.com/gauges

 

[David Muench]

I hadn't seen those yet, thanks. . I definitely want a white faced gauge, but I am not too thrilled by that chrome trim ring. Right now there isn't a bit of chrome on my truck (except the emblems), and that's how I like it.



The SPA digitals are nice, but I think I prefer analog, and the price on the SPA's is painful. Having 2 gauges per mount would be great though. I've thought a long time about the Westachs, but I just don't really like they way they look.



So far, the winner is the Autometers from DD - they're white with a big red needle, the boost is up to 60psi, and they come in a matched set of EGT, boost, and transmission temp. I guess if I want to do fuel pressure in the future I'd need to mount another gauge somewhere else. . Maybe an SPA with an idiot light down in the dash cubby.

 

[davidclark]

I'm going with Autometer Phantom boost, EGT & transmission temp on the 3 pod a pillar mount. Backordered until the 17th, off to the dealer for some TL2 paint!!!Oo.