The truth about A-pillar mounts?

[PCline]

Now that the Di-Pricol gauges are available (sort-of) I'm getting ready to put a 3 gauge A-pillar mount in my truck.



My question... is there more than one manufacture of the A-pillar mount? If so who makes one that actually replaces the existing A-pillar cover? I've noticed on one web page that posts instructions that even though the A-pillar mount is intended to replace the stock unit, they recommend to use it as a cover for the stock unit. The reason, to prevent the back of the gauges from being seen from the outside.



It looks like it should be easy enough to produce a mount that fits into the existing seals. There's a black seal along the door side and a beige seal along the windshield side.



Those of you that have installed your gauges on the A-pillar, how well did they fit? did you replace the stock unit or just cut off the handle? if you replaced the stock unit, did the new unit fit into the seals? where did you buy it? is there a brand name on it?

 

[mgonske]

I got mine from Diesel Power Products. It is intended as a cover, but I used it as a replacement. The edge along the door opening slips under the black rubber trim on the truck. The light taupe "seal" along the windshield on the original is plastic-welded in place--no way to use it. I just let the raw edge sit against the glass. That does allow you to see the gauges from the back, as it is out a little ways from the black-out on the inside of the glass along the edge. I just ran a strip of black electrical tape along the existing black-out on the glass, effectively extending the black-out--problem solved!



I didn't notice any markings on the pod to identify the manufacturer. My only complaint is that the gauge pods themselves are rotated too far around toward the windshield, so that they do reduce the field of view (visually making the A-pillar that much wider)--I dont see why they couldn't have been rotated more toward the door, so they visually lined up directly with the existing A-pillar blind spot.

 

[DieselpowerDude]

The 2nd gen trucks had the same kind of cover, worked fine for me, why not install over the original, I actually like that idea and liked it on my 95 (btw its SOLD!!!).



I read that one is not supposed to install gauges on the A- pillar if the truck has side curtain airbags. Mine does. Also I personally like the handle very much and don't want to cut it of. I have 3 prudruding disks in my lower back and it really help getting into the truck. No room in the center dash (I love those heated seats). I don't like that frog eye columm mount. But I do like traditional gauges as they are fun to look at.



I am in a dilemma, I might get that digital readout either from TST or BD.







I love my new truck, picked it up last week and it now has 600 on it.

 

[Fred Swanson]

pro pod

PCline, when I install the Pro Pod 3 gauge mount, I remove the strip from the original mount and glue it to the new mount. This makes it look very much like factory, and very clean.



I remove the original mount, and replace it with the new gauge mount. It requires minor trimming by the door jamb, but other than that, it looks good.

I have a shot in the reader's rigs, but it is from the outside. I'll try and get an inside shot and add it to my pictures section.

 

[Photoman]

I used the pro pod for three gauges and purchased it from Geno's Garage. They also had the factory paint. I chose not to install the pro-pod over the factory part. Re-used the factory trim piece that buts up against the window. To install over the factory part you have to cut the handle out with a hack saw. The flyer from Geno's that came with the pro-pod stated that they had gotten a call from a competitor of the pro-pod unit stating that unless the pro-pod is installed over the factory part, it does not meet national traffic safety standards. Didn't make sense to me and I wanted to keep the factory part in the event I upgrade the truck at some future point and wanted to take the truck with me. I used the Autometer Gauges, primarly due to their reputation for durability. Check my install out on "Readers Rigs". The "phantom" series matches the factory gauges almost exactly. They work great and I get a lot of compliments. The best one is when they say something like, "what factory option is that gauge package?". Best of luck with your decision and install. Regards.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Here is a good photo. I can email more... Replace the pillar and grab the steering wheel to get in the truck. [/IMG]#ad

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

here is another[/IMG]#ad

 

[MMeier]

Greg, when you shut your truck off , does the pyro swing over to the 1600 or above area ? Anyone else running the Phantom line notice this?? Thanks, Mark

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Change your power hook up to the blue wire on the steering column. Switched on with key. Key off it drops to 0. .

 

[MMeier]

Greg, thought that is where I hooked up to, will double check tomorrow night. Solid blue with a tracer of some sort ,right? Thanks ,Mark

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Yes,

I think it is a white tracer. I will check todayl.

 

[PCline]

Thanks for all the info guys.



I'm glad to hear that others have removed the windshield side of the trim and applied it to their new A-pillar mounts.



Going to order everything up this afternoon.

 

[adamron]

got my pod from geno's, i did not install over factory, i trim about a 1/2" or so on both sides,work out good, take you time 2003 - 2500 red 4x4 ho 48re westin chrome step,black diamond bed caps,ventshade,autometer ultra-lite boost,tran,ewhaust,anti-spin,fog lamps,keyless,front hood shield, 2000 keystone 1999 jeep cherokee i do miss my 01 ctd alittle

 

[Ladders]

Got the pilllar from Geno's and have the side air bags but did replace the orig pillar (saved for future use?) with it. Used the strip from windshield side for the new mount. Might trim that 1/2" from each side - never thought about it but it should make the blind spot narrower - hmmmm. Another idea that merits the membership of the TDR!!



Still finishing the work on it (need to paint it after I get all wiring in).





SOTSU!

\\BF//

 

[PCline]

Maybe you all knew this already, but I just ordered the pillar mount from Geno's and to my surprise they have them custom molded in the '03 color.



No more painting and chipping!!

 

[Car_nut57]

We use the Pro Parts pod as a cover which means the handle does need to be cut off. By covering the factory pillar the backs of the gauges are hidden looking at the truck from outside. Also the gauge pods are thin plastic and the factory pillar helps to keep the pod in shape.



The new Di-Pricol 03 Dodge gauges are finally in stock. The pyro uses both an LED and regular bulb for lighting. This seems to to make the illumination more even than it has been with just regular bulbs used in other gauges.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Dont Hack Your Factory Pillar.