Opinions on gauges

[PUMPERDUDE]

I'm getting ready to install some pyro/boost gauges. I thought the pillar mounts were the way to go and then I saw the post about mounting them [combo gauge] in the useless hole next to the cup holder. Sounds pretty good to me. Any advantages/disadvantages to this location?Thanks for the time.

 

[gitchesum]

I have my combo gauge mounted in the hole and I like it. You really don't have to take your eyes off the road to glance at it. I thought I wanted a pillar mount gauge set-up until I sat in a truck that had them. To me they just stuck out too far. Besides that hole is useless, might as well put something in there.

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Curtis Harris
1997 3500 Club Cab
"CASPER"
Check out the Lone Star TDR

 

[GSchlegel]

I have a SPA digital dual gage mounted in that useless hole and am pleased. It responds instantly. It is not a distraction at night. It is programmable with a warning light that comes on at your preset boost or temp. so you don't have to look at it all the time.

Gene

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'96' 3500, 5-speed, 3. 54 LSD, Ext. Cab, 180,000 plus miles, relay controlled back-up alarm and rear facing halogen tractor flood lights, K&N air filter, TST #11 plate . 010" forward of stock, AFC spring kit, lost cat, SPA digital EGT and boost gauge,20 yr. old marine air horns, bed liner, 5" monster exhaust tip, Geno's manual trans. filter, brite box.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Hi Pumperdude:
I put my AutoMeters on the A-pillar. As for as sticking out to for, to far for what. The A-pillar is large enough for any thing to hide. As for the hole that is useless, mine has the switch for the fog lights. I really like the way mine look and function.
Each to his on.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[LSMITH]

I was going to put my gauge in the hole in the dash too, but I put it in there to see what it would look like and felt I would have to look too far away from the road to see it. I put mine on the A-pillar, not because I like that location but because I think it is the best alternative right now. As soon as the mount comes out to mount them around the instruments in the dash I will throw the pillar mount away. I would suggest that you buy the gauge you want and put it in the hole in the dash and see if you are comfortable with it there. I bought the SPA dual digital gauge to replace analog gauges and I am glad I did. If you are going to put the gauge in the dash I think the SPA would be the best for that location as the display is the biggest and clearest of any gauge I have seen. The SPA also has idiot lights that you can set to go on at any point that you want, you can use them to get your attention if the gauge is not right in front of you.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

[This message has been edited by LSMITH (edited 03-05-2001). ]

 

[Lordsman]

When you installed your pod on the a-pillar did you drill an access hole through the factory pillar to snake the wiring and hose's? I/m getting ready to install gauges (pyro & boost)on the a-piller and need as much direction as possible. Thanks.

 

[GRudy]

I have had my combo gauge mounted in that useless hole for two years now. I'm moving it up to the a piller as soon as my fuel pressure gauge shows up from XK's. It looks nice in that location but is very difficult to read when you need it most. It does however give your non-diesel friends a good education! They can see it better than the driver! I dry fitted my triple gauge "replacement" a piller mount from Geno's the other day. I will be mounting this without doing any mods to the factory cover. One screw just under the top gauge will secure the triple cover in place perfectly. With the screw here I wont be able to see it at all.

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George, Perry County, PA
99 3500, Reg Cab, 4x4, NV4500, ISB, 4:10,VA box,Putco Boss
running boards, Grover air horns, Intense Blue.

 

[Davison]

IMHO the A pillar mount is the best. To check the gauges, I only have to glance to the left. To utilize the 'useless hole' I had to move my head slightly or really move my eyes down and to the right to see. My previous truck had the gauges down there & I disliked it. Usually had my wife spotting for me when we were towing in the hills, telling me what the pyro temps were!

To each his own for sure, but I'd suggest to anyone to sit in a truck equipped with the Pillar mount and see for yourself.

And they don't stick out that far and aren't in the way of anything... ...

So for my $. 02 I'd give it a solid thumbs up!

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2001. 5 2500 SLT+, QC/LB 4x4, ETH, 6spd, 3:54 LSD, camper/tow equip. , NV241HD, Bright Silver, Snug Top, Ispro w/3 pod pillar w/tweeter, Pyro, Boost & Mag Hytec cover w/temp guage, "Plain Wrap" (no decals or emblems)

 

[Ralph Edward]

Same question as above on installing pillar mount. Would someone who has one give some instructions so I can be ready if and when mine comes in, (on back order).

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1999 3500 LARAMIE SLT,5 spd,3:54,Red,Gear Venders ,Fiberglass Running boards, Bed Liner.

 

[BFaoro]

TTT, I ordered my ultra light Autometer gaoges from DIS, along with a pillar mount 2 gauge. I would like some guidance (help) on how the wiring was routed and where the power is pulled from for the lights . #ad


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96 2500 4X4, SC,SLT, 12 valve,lost kitty 5SP 3. 54. line-x liner All stock

 

[LSMITH]

For the guys asking about the pillar wiring, I had to drill a VERY big hole in the A-pillar cover for the plug that goes into the gauge. It was either that or remove all of the pins from the plug and I did not have the correct pin pusher. If you do not want the wiring exposed at some point on the pillar you will have to drill the pillar with anything but the full pillar replacement. I suppose you could route the wiring between the factory pillar cover and the new one, but I have not used it so I am not sure. I used a single gauge pod. Surely someone with a full pillar replacement will chime in and help you guys out.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Diesel Junkie]

You can take out the original a pillar and just use the new one. Just pull on the origional and it will come off. put the new one in place and pull the rubber door seal ofer the edge to hold it in place. Then drill a hole just above the top pod and secure with a self tapping screw. If you ordered from genos the instructions are in there. If you wnat a copy of them I can E-mail them to you.
good luck, Scott

Originally posted by Ralph Edward:
Same question as above on installing pillar mount. Would someone who has one give some instructions so I can be ready if and when mine comes in, (on back order).

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'01 3500 qc 5sp, 4x4 white w/ green graphics dark tint, flaps,K&N 0880 and pre filter, tonneau,painless, Uniden Grant LT w/3' glass K-40,aux. back up lights,
'91 Regal 260 at Dale Hollow

 

[BCFAST]

Opinions and armpits... . but I think pilar-mount is a baaaad idea. During a crash, you WILL move far enough to smash them with your face. I also agree that the fog light hole is too far off the road to 'glance'; you'll have to 'look' instead. I prefer a dash-top pod, lower left.

 

[csutton7]

"A" pillar---do a search there's a ton of info within the last two months---chris

 

[n_fairchild]

I have to Auto Meter A-pillar mount, the 2 guage pod, not the full replacement. Installation was relatively easy. Two of us drilled and tapped the exhaust manifold ahead of the turbo, ran all the wiring and put the guages in in just under 2 hours. As far as the guages blocking your view i dont have any problem. I did have to trim some on the guage pods to make it fit tight up against the pillar. I used some small machine screws with the nuts on the back to fasten it on instead of the cheap plastic push fasteners included. If i remember right i had to drill about a 1" hole in the A-pillar covering to get the wiring through. I wired the lights in the guages right into the dash lamps so they would dim the same as the dash. Just my $. 02
Nick

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95 3/4 ton, 4x4, Auto, 235 plate, K&N, straight through exhaust, wastgate mods, more to come, 108,000mi and still going strong

 

[bbutler]

I mounted a boost and a EGT on the piller. I would'nt have it any other way. I used a full piller with tweeter and 2 pods. I pulled the original piller off cut some holes in it for the wires and then glued the new piller to it with silicone. You can get a can of spray paint from your dealer to match your interior.

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2001 3500 HO with all the yada yada yada.....

 

[Bigsaint]

I mounted mine "race car/caveman style", well, at least their race car style to me #ad
. The only problems that I see with my install is if you very short or now have another gauge to install, as I do with no room left to mount next to the pillar(poor planning on my behalf). Other than that, I have no problem seeing over 'em and even with the gauge lights turned all the way up, no distraction from the glare at all. You can't see it in this pic. , but the wires are all very neatly wrapped up in wire loom and the install came out the way I wanted it.

Scott W.

#ad


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