PILLAR MOUNTED GAUGES

[Blu-meanie]

I like the idea of mounting gauges on the pillar, but the pictures I've seen look like they block some of the side vision. Any of you pillar mounted guage guys like to respond?

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2001 2500 Quadcab, 155" WB, Bright Blue, 6 spd, 410 posi, heated leather (for us older types).

 

[Timinator]

I have a single pod with the combo egt/boost gauge. The A pillar is not blocked in any way. I think the A pillar is way too big to be obscured by most gauges.

 

[CCahill]

Gary,
I got my 3 guage w/tweeter pillar mount from Banks... I used the VDO guages,for these reasons... . 1. The face matches the factory guages
2. The needle has fiber optics, same again
3. You can do green backlighting, ditto
4. The Banks pod replaces the orignal
pillar, so you don't have to put the
chain saw or sawzall to your old one.

When I sit in my normal position, I can look to the guages, and see the black portion of the glass, just like the pass. side. When I drop the visor, it doesn't rub on the guages... Put your EGT in the lowest position, and your boost in the middle. . You don't have to take your eyes off the road so far to focus... More in your field of view. .
Sorry yo be kinda lenghty... .

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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded,no leather... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/d
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper PRo
Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames

 

[TREEMAN]

Colin. Glad you decided to get some gauges ,pretty interesting imformation huh !Apart from the obvious of showing what the motor is doing they really show you how to drive the most efficient & economically. Did you get that engine check light to go off ,I know Bill was working on a fix for that. Ian

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2001,2500 q-cab,auto 4x4,4. 10 anti-slip rearend. All options except leather seats. Line-x bed & tool box. Slide-in -removable rack,BFG 295,s ,Fender flares. Westin nerf bars,billet grill & fog inserts. Rancho,9000,s,Isspro gauges,1994 2500 4x4,12 valve,5 speed, bone stock for now.

 

[Benson]

I just came in from the garage where I installed (finally) my pillar mounted gauges. The view isn't obstructed in any noticable way. I still need to get out there and hook them up though. I've got to drill the manifold. Actually, install the ATS manifold. So, does the boost gauge go in the wastegate fitting where the little brass fitting is? Hate to be so ignorant but well, I am. I did replace it with the smaller fitting that came with the EZ module. Do I then need a two way adapter fitting? Thanks lads.

 

[Big A]

Got the three gauge APillar mount, and love the setup. No obstruction whatsoever.
Big A

 

[Arcticat]

Collin, thanks for the email. Just so I get it totally pounded into my head, you are saying that you actually removed the factory a pillar and REPLACED it with the Banks piece? AND it fit? Fit and looked well? Sorry to be so anal about it but I have gotten sick of trial and error with Bomb parts, from now on I want to get it right the first time... Can you get just the pillar from banks or does it have to be through a banks dealer? Lastly but not leastly, what does it cost?

I would love to go with the VDO's for the same reasons you listed, but the boost gauge only goes to 35 which will be way short for me come this spring #ad

 

[JohnB]

Benson: The boost fitting normally goes in the cylinder head on the left side by the fuel filter.

 

[BLACKRAM]

I just ordered the dual pillar replacement mount from Geno's. I also ordered a bullet mount and a faceplate for the space next to the radio. Placing a EGT in the space next to the radio, and a boost gauge in the ash tray may give a "stealth" look if the "A" pillar is too obtrusive. Anyway one or the other is getting returned after I decide which looks best. Just thought this might give you some other ideas/choices.

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1999 2500 4x4, auto, 3. 54, HD241, Quad cab SLT, Blk Sport Pkg, 285 Bridgestone AT, Amsoil.
1992 SC400
1978 Mooney 201 IFR

 

[csutton7]

Articat--I talked to Banks earlier today and the guy told me it fits over the existing "A" pillar, but that if you have the tweeter the tweeter hole is exactly in the same place as the original--thus no hacking the original to get the new "A" pillar w/ guages installed--it comes with the plastic pins that requires you to drill a hole and push them in to secure new to existing---me, I removed the existing "A" pillar to get a look at what I'd be up against and confirmed w/ another TDR member that you need to put 1-2 screws thru the new "A" pillar to hold it on w/some weatherstripping put on the window to reduce rattle & to get a snug fit between pillar edge & window, it should be very clean looking when done ---thus you save your original--plus it's easier to run all the lines without the existing one in the background-- otherwise you will trash your existing in some way or form-chris

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chris sutton
1999 2500 qcab longbed 4x4 red sport w/ all the options 'cept plow pkg, 4:10 detroit locker in rear & front ARB,
5" skyjacker lift w/ 35" BFG mud terrains on 16. 5x9. 75 Weld rims, black smittybilt nerf bars, black 3 pc. bug persuader,
black lumber rack, camel leather int. w/ mb quartz spkrs and 8" sub, power edge EZ, DTT vb & tc, mag hy-tec transmission pan,
red magview diff covers & coming soon: 275 injectors, red L&L ladder bars, turbo temp monitor & guages on "A" pillar

[This message has been edited by csutton7 (edited 02-20-2001). ]

 

[justme]

Okay, then just whom makes the highest quality full pillar replacement (3 gauges w/tweeter), not cover, gauge mount for the Ram? I am going to mount my two EGT gauges and boost gauges to the pillar and pre/post fuel pressure gauges on the dash. Autometer, of course.

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Bronze 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Short Bed 4 x 4, ETH/DEE, leather, camper/trailer, keyless, 285/75R16 B. F. Goodrich AT's, etc, etc... Future BOMBer!!!!

Life NRA Member

 

[Big-D]

Anybody know the best way to view Banks items on the net? Would like to see their "A Pillar 3 gauge mount" with speaker, but haven't been able find their site. Dave

 

[Scooby]

Try www.bankspower.com

 

[csutton7]

Big D--they don't have a pic on their site and nothing to fax either--tried it yesterday--chris

 

[CCahill]

If this pic comes thru... This is the Banks pillar unit that I used ... . <imghttp://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1496754&a=11290470&p=41546483&Sequence=0
#ad


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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded,no leather... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/d
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper PRo
Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames

 

[CCahill]

I, still workin' on this picture thing
#ad

Hope this works 2

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2001 Quad,4x4,4. 10LS,LB,Loaded,no leather... . 65 Chevelle sedan, Hella nice driver, 53 Nash Rambler Convt,1 of 653 built,[not a Metro], GM drivetrain, injection, and auto/d
Specialized FSR Stumpjumper PRo
Cannondale F2000, Loaded
MTD Lawn tractor with flames

 

[Big-D]

Thanks guys for responding for I like the pictures, but can't see anything listed on their web site. Even tried to send an e-mail without success. Guess I'll have to call them direct for nothing else is working. CCahill, where did you purchase from?
Dave

 

[John]

Arcticat, the VDO Vision series boost gauge only goes to 30 psi.

Benson and JohnB, do not use the wastegate fitting location as a boost source... it will not be accurate for this purpose (per Cummins). Likewise, the cylinder head location near the map sensor is not a very good source either as it so near the source it causes gauge fluctuation in many gauges (also per Cummins).

The best place to use as a boost source (24v) is the aluminum intake manifold runner (i. e. , air horn). If you don't want to remove this piece from the engine to drill and tap the required hole you can accomplish this by removing the aftercooler hose just upstream (pertaining to intake air flow) of the manifold runner, covering the exposed tube with a plastic bag or equivalent, placing a clean, lint free shop rag downstream of where you are going to drill in the manifold runner (which will be near the upstream end), drilling and tapping same, removing chips and rag and replace the aftercooler hose. This is the easiest way... the "harder" way entails removal of the manifold runner to drill and tap at a location desired by you. [the manifold runner is easy to remove... I can have one off in about a minute or two] Of course, if you have a 12v engine a boost source is provided for you... near the downstream side of the manifold runner and just ahead of it.

Another option regarding the triple with tweeter A-pillar cover; purchase a new A-pillar replacement (WITHOUT tweeter) from Dodge for around $32. BENEFITS: no unsightly screws are required, the OE triple with tweeter A-pillar is preserved for resale (or whatever), the "laminated" mount will be stronger, and will experience less gauge clouding due to condensation.

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 02-21-2001). ]

 

[Keith Eilers]

Gary,

I just did 2 gauges on the A pillar and the end result is fine. The gauges do not block the view though they are closer to the eyeballs than the stock instruments. This was mildly dicsconcerting at first, especially when looking back and fourth between gauges.

With respect to the plastic, I first got a 2 gauge cover with tweeter hole from Diesel Inj. Service. This part was manufactured by Auto Meter Products. After much trimming and cursing, I concluded that here was no way that the tweeter hole would fit over my speaker. I thought of re-mounting the tweeter in the cover, but would have to chop the original A pillar to make this work. The part simply did not fit a 99 A pillar with tweeter. I ordered the 2 gauge cover from Geno's (same manufacturer), painted it with matching Mopar paint, and mounted it above the tweeter. The end result looks great. No sooner had I finished this, than Geno's came out with A pillar replacements. If I were doing it over, I would try the replacment.



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Keith Eilers, 99, 2500, 5sp, LB, QC, 4wd

 

[JohnB]

John-boost gauge line location should not be critical-just after the innercooler so blown hoses/restriction can be seen. My gauge is rock steady and is right beside the spot Cummins uses for their boost sensor (MAP sensor)?