Tips on Using Full A-Pillar Gauge Pod as Total Replacement

[HeavyHauler]

Hey guys, I got my gauges installed a couple of months ago but my gauge pod isn't fitting perfectly over the original piece so I would like to re-do it if it isn't too much trouble. (you can see the gap from the outside because the piece isn't getting pulled close enough to the pillar)



I would like to get a new gauge pod and use the clips off the original piece to use the pod as a total replacement. I know a few people have done this so have you got any tips? How hard was it to glue them in the right spot on the replacement piece?



Thanks for the help!

 

[RHARVEY]

What I have done in the past is to make sure the front edge of the A-pillar(windshield side) is at the edge of the new gauge pod when I drill the mounting holes. Then once the 2 push in buttons are in. . I squeeze the guage pod down as tight as I can over the stock A-pillar and drill the holds on the door side. With all the ones that I have done this way there is only a very little of the stock pillar showing but once the complete unit is in place the door gasket covers it up real nice so that you dont see it.

What helps also it to paint the new pod to match the inside of the truck which also blends in all the parts that show. I have removed the stock pillar and used the gauge pod by itself before with 1 mounting screw at the top and that was it.

Anyway I hope this helps. .



Rick

 

[tractorface]

Its been a while but........

I used epoxy and bonded my gauge mount pillar to the OEM pillar and simply cut out whatever from the OEM pillar was in my way. My new pillar snaps in place just like the OEM did. Can't tell you how many times I have heard "Hey that's cool I didn't know Dodges came with all those gauges there" :-laf

 

[KWheaton]

Hey there Hauler,

I just installed my A-Piller pod last week. I have the speaker bump out on mine, do you? What I had to do was cut/sand off the old speaker bumpout (you might have to cut a lot more than you think), fit and refit, making sure the new one fits over the old one, then drill holes through the old one in appropriate spots to allow for wires, hoses etc. I made sure the new one fit nicely over the old one wherever it could be seen (near the windshield and the head liner) then I drilled the 3/16 holes for the small plastic pins that hold the 2 together.



I was told that using just the new one was possible, but I couldn't figure out how to re-attach those clips, and the new pod didn't seem strong enough to hold the added weight of the guages by itself. Maybe take 3 long sheet metal screws, add some trim rings available at the hardware store, and drill straight into the a-pillar and have the heads of screws exposed with the trim rings. Then paint them to match, or if they look good, leave them alone.



I wish I had taken pictures, so you could see how I did it. I was a bit too busy with all three of my hands, LOL, to take pictures.



Hope I helped you and not confused you. Good Luck, Kevin

 

[Tcolesanti]

I just cut the clips and posts off the orginal, roughed up the inside of the new a-pillar cover and fiberglassed the posts and clips to it. Total replacement, well over a year and a half ago and it works like a top. Fitment is so much better than other guy's pillar jobs.

 

[HeavyHauler]

The epoxy glue sounds like a pretty good idea as well.



Kevin - the install I did was identical to yours as far as cutting off the tweeter hole and all that. But it's obvious that I didn't get something lined up just perfect because you can still see all the wiring from the windshield. I believe that the way I have it positioned on the factory piece is causing it to stretch or bend out so it won't tuck back behind the black line on the windshield.



On the fiberglass, I have no clue how to do any of that! I was thinking super glue for the clips! LOL!

 

[AggieJustin]

I used my 2 gauge pod pillar cover as a replacement for my OEM A-pillar cover. The bottom of the pillar is a friction fit between the dash and the frame. On the top of the pillar, I used a screws through the pod into the A pillar to secure it. One screw is at the top facing to the back to hold the pillar in place, the other screw is at the top facing the passenger side to help pull that side of the cover in close to the pillar to help cut down on the blind spot. My gauges have been in for a couple of years now and they're still just as tight as the day I put them in.



JM