Pillar Gauge Mounts (Vision obstruction)

[Tardog]

Kalaehina brings up a good point does the lighting up high (instead down by stock gauges) impair night vision. Kinda trying to look past a light, your pupils don't know whether to open or close? I only mention this because I do a lot of night driving. Thanks. Does anyone know if these vent shades are avialible in clear?

 

[TomGolden]

Well, as you can see in the picture I posted, I have the digital SPA series 2 gauges which have fully adjustable back lighting, in red and green light. So, you can adjust as you see fit. I don't know about analog gauges, but if a person wired the back light into the factory dash light wire, I would think they would be dimmed down by the factory dimmer switch?



Just an interesting bit of trivia that I wasn't aware of at first: with the SPA gauges, or at least my series 2's, the back light is *always* on, even in daytime, and even when the truck headlights are not on, nor the driving lights. How do I know this? Go in a tunnel and guess what? You see them lit up. Also, if you switch the back lighting to red, which the SPA series 1 gauges do not do, it is instantly obvious in daylight.



Tom

 

[krs]

but if a person wired the back light into the factory dash light wire, I would think they would be dimmed down by the factory dimmer switch?



Yep.

I used the green rubbers and wired the lights thru the dimmerfuse circuit. It makes the pod lights less bright on full than the dash lights and the new instruments dim down along with the dash - to off if need be.

 

[Kalaehina]

I also have my gauge lights wired into the dash lights so they dim together. The lights on the pillar are no problem, it was more of getting used to something new being there then anything, I too thought it was going to be a distraction at first but it doesn't distract at all.

 

[zonker]

A Pillar

I also think they are too bright. some of the instructions said to paint the bulbs to dim them. With what ? Black. Maybe some Real light green to match the dash light. You get use to looking around the pillar like a blind spot, also I guess there are different types for gage mounts as I can not throw the original away as it has the inserts to snap onto the window/door part to hold it into place. That is why I need to find those plastic nail things to tear this apart and put it back together again. I know I will break one, at least, to re-do the fuel gage. All I can find are those things to replace door panels I guess. those are too large.

I also went to the fuse box on the protected side of the fuse with the dash lights and they are still on bright. They do dim but not enough.

 

[mschoenheider]

Bringing this thread back from the grave... ...

How do you people who are running the SPA dual digital gages like them? Anyone miss the sweep movement of analog gages? Are they easy to read at a glance? would you buy them again?

Mark

 

[JSmith]

I have the tripple mount and found that the distraction was at looking at the gauges. No the pilar does not get in the way.

 

[RKohn]

No obstructions, but I had a big problem with the triple pillar...

Looking at the wrong gauge at the wrong time.



Yes sir officer, coming down the hill doing 70 in a 55. Happy to pay the $110.



Even happier he wasn't there when I was doing 90 up the hill.





Oo. Oo. Oo.







BTW - Try the WeatherTech visors, they're thinner and lighter than the other brands and they mount in the track like the early ventvisors did instead of 3M tape.

 

[JohnE]

Re: No obstructions, but I had a big problem with the triple pillar...

Originally posted by RKohn

...



BTW - Try the WeatherTech visors, they're thinner and lighter than the other brands and they mount in the track like the early ventvisors did instead of 3M tape.

I have a set of Weather Tech visors. While they help the vision by being a very light tint, the dang things collect dirt and scratched my side windows in several places. they also collect snow so bad I have to take them off in the winter. I have a set of vent visor on the mommy van and much prefer them.



I tried gauges in the cup spiller loaction. Too far from immediate field of view.

I currently run a double pod. I don't like the "in your face" and the a-pillar is already bad enough.

I'm still looking for the better mousetrap.



Never liked digital gauges. For me, too hard to read at a glance.

 

[John]

Tom, I too have three SPA Mark II digital combination gauges (upgraded from the Mark I gauges). After playing around with the back lighting quite a bit I settled on red on the #4 intensity setting. I found that as seemingly obnoxious as the red may seem, they are a little easier to live with on the A-pillar at night on DARK rural roads and highways.

 

[jjohn]

Re: For me

Originally posted by mediccummin

It does not block my view one bit. Lined up perfectly with the pillar so not much difference. I have the triple mount. Good luck.

Same here, three pod from Geno's

 

[SBashaw]

I installed the triple pod and after about two months i switched to the two pod. The top gauge was too close to my face and my view cleared up quite a bit without the top gauge JMO



Steve

 

[Chipstien]

Here is mine, I love them. Ps. Ignore that pathetic 35 psi boost guage... ... it has long since been upgraded.







#ad

 

[OTRPU]

My tripple doesn't seem to interfere with my vision, not so's I'd notice anyway. Just for your information, I saw a 4 gauge piller mount on display at Reliance Truck & Auto when I was there last. Don't know if they make one for Dodge or not, think this one was for PSD.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[waterdonkey]

I am getting ready to add a fuel pressure gauge and I will have to rework my gauges. I an going to bring my pryo and boost to the A pillar. What works best, the pod that replaces the OEM or one that covers the OEM pod? I have the tweeter and have not decided yet to go with the triple or dual. Have the Geno's been fitting nice?



Darin