Author Topic: Cheap instrument pod (Read 5490 times)

witoke · « **on:** July 24, 2008, 08:50:01 pm »

Many thanks to the genius who thought of using PVC elbows for mounting dash instruments. I built a nice (-ish) cluster for my TD vanagon that mounts flush to the dash above the ashtray. Angle was perfect with a 22 degree elbow, swiveled slightly to point at the driver.

Glued the PVC to a piece of aluminum plate and mounted the EGT, Boost and oil temp gauges with space for another pod if I can think of any other info I might need. Sprayed it all flat black and it almost looks good while giving me a much better arrangement than having them wedged on the dash.

Try it, you'll like it...

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2008, 09:03:27 pm »

Pics?

witoke · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2008, 09:12:29 pm »

I did want to do that but there are no obvious links on the page for that that I can see. Anyone give me a quick tutorial?

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2008, 06:15:50 am »

When making a post there is a button labeled "Img*", and when you place your cursor over it you see "Insert image:

(alt+p)". Post your pics somewhere that people can reach with a browser, then in your message you would put "

and your pic will appear in your post.[/img]

So when you put a valid URL/web address in for a picture on someplace like photobucket or snapfish it will give you

.

fdnyguy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2008, 05:44:45 pm »

I'm adding gauges to my car ($25 sunpro water, oil, volt) and adding it below the ashtray at the shift console.

I do personally think it is a bit too low. Would love to see pics/specs to see it angled towards the driver anywhere in the car. Thanks.

Stay well.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2008, 06:55:56 pm »

Quote from: "fdnyguy"

I'm adding gauges to my car ($25 sunpro water, oil, volt) and adding it below the ashtray at the shift console.

I do personally think it is a bit too low. Would love to see pics/specs to see it angled towards the driver anywhere in the car. Thanks.

Stay well.

I'm considering this MK2 Full Pillar Dual Gauge Pod for my boost and EGT gauges. It looks pretty good and isn't bad at $55.

Turbinepowered · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2008, 08:22:44 pm »

Wonder if that pillar pod would work on a Fox.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:08:27 pm »

I don't know but it looks awfully nice but would it turn me into the German equivalent of a ricer?

What is that, spatzl?

zukgod1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:17:00 pm »

Quote from: "VW_Commuter"

Quote from: "fdnyguy"
I'm adding gauges to my car ($25 sunpro water, oil, volt) and adding it below the ashtray at the shift console.

I do personally think it is a bit too low. Would love to see pics/specs to see it angled towards the driver anywhere in the car. Thanks.

Stay well.

I'm considering this MK2 Full Pillar Dual Gauge Pod for my boost and EGT gauges. It looks pretty good and isn't bad at $55.

I've been looking at that one also.

I want to run a fuel pressure gauge and a water temp gauge as well as my current gauges.
Would like to run a oil temp gauge too but I don't have a place to put another gauge even if I by the A pillar mount.

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:22:13 pm »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

I've been looking at that one also.

I want to run a fuel pressure gauge and a water temp gauge as well as my current gauges.
Would like to run a oil temp gauge too but I don't have a place to put another gauge even if I by the A pillar mount.

Could you use the same gauge for water and oil temp and just run a switch to select between the two? Or could you get one of those dual guages like this?

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:24:27 pm »

Or maybe this one, which I really like.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2008, 11:01:15 pm »

Quote from: "VW_Commuter"

Could you use the same gauge for water and oil temp and just run a switch to select between the two?

That's what I do... works a treat. It's actually pretty handy to be able to compare water temp to oil temp with the flick of a switch.

Also do it with my pressure gauge: fuel pressure / oil pressure.

Four readings and only two gauges... there's only so much room in the cockpit !!

zukgod1 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2008, 11:39:22 pm »

The only problem I can see whit that is I'm kinda anal about all my gauges being the same.

I'm running Auto meter Ultra lite II's now and I don't think it would be cost effective to switch at this time.
I guess I could still just use 2 senders though like you are talking about and still use the same gauges.

And I think Icould just mount the FP gauge under the hood.

madmedix · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:19:13 pm »

I've got two current setups - the Jetta had them in the centre console at the bottom where the open "glove box" area is...too low...so I cut out the top tray of the console and replaced it with a piece of thick aluminum plate. Used PVC elbow that I cut on two axis to angle them not only up but about 22 degrees towards the driver (I'm over 6'5"). Worked great until some assh*#$ apparently really liked them and took 'em :-(
The second setup is in the golf and I put a trio set where the stereo normally goes and moved the stereo (DIN mount) to the centre console. Best setup for me.

Cheers,
Andy

riddleyo · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2008, 06:40:37 am »

Made my own for about $2 in plexi-glass and some time:

Plexi-glass is really brittle so some ABS plastic would be a better choice. But I just cut up some plexi-glass, drilled some holes, painted it black, fit some VDO gauges, and mounted it where the old tape player was. Turned out great and cheap.