Anyone here ever did those gauge pods on the windshield pillar?

Im contemplating getting a transmission temp gauge but I have too much hanging under my dash as it is and I know they sell these but I haven't seen one installed in these trucks before to know how good they will look.

 

There's a thread somewhere where someone took one from a 90's model and trimmed it. I think I recall them saying it took a lot of trimming and didn't quite line up.
If you are into smartphones, there are Bluetooth temp sensors that have a built in battery that is supposed to turn on with vibration. I am not saying it's a great feasible option, just bringing it up since I've always wanted to try one out of curiosity and the just-for-fun aspect.

 

Interesting. For me I just don't know. Part of me doesn't even want to run the gauge cause its a C6 transmission and will have an auxiliary cooler mounted after the factory radiator cooler. Doubt it will be a problem for me. But at the same time the other part of me wants the gauge so I know what the transmission fluid is doing.

I thought about under the dash mounting but I got my CB mounted under the dash to the right of the column so I can see it but still able to open the ash tray long as the mic is off the holder. Then slightly to the left of the CB is my KC toggle switch for deactivating my driving lights circuits. To the left of the column under the dash is my valet switch to keep the alarm from arming itself so I cant mount a traditional gauge pod under the dash there as it will make it hard to flip the switch to keep the alarm from arming. I was thinking a pillar pod they have the full length pillars with 3 pods for a '92 - '98 application I thought if I went with that I could run the trans temp gauge, I can use my air/fuel ratio and mount it in the truck instead of my tester box, and can pick up a vacuum gauge. This I think would be easiest as I can mark where the screws are and drill through this pillar pod and use the screws holding the OEM pillar in place to hold both together.

Only thing is I am not sure I want to fork over $50 for this without knowing if this could be made to work and look decent. I've always been of the view of following through with modifications that are bolt in that can be undone without effecting the originality incase I ever change my mind. So three screws through the face of the panel would be what I would do. I could probably take the bulge on the panel to fit the shape of the newer style dash and sand that down and shape it to be more fitting for my dash.

Another thing I saw was these generic flat gauge pods and I was thinking maybe I could take and just mount this ontop of the dash pad but then started thinking that might be a bit tacky looking. Hell the pillar gauge pods can be a little tacky as well considering id have to mount 3 gauges when all I need is to mount one temp gauge in a visible area that doesn't hinder any other area of the operation of the truck.

I will try to look on here for that post though. I been doing google searches and haven't came up with any hits on here outside of one for a 99 and up ford truck where a pillar pod was used.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1174054-83-86-idi-pillar-gauge-install.html

That's the one I was thinking of although it looks like my conclusion on the fitment was purely due to how much trimming was mentioned. So it may have ended up looking seamless. Would need a few more photos to be sure.

I dont know all of the configurations available but what about those gauges with multiple (tiny) gauges inside them? Maybe keep your current footprint but consolidate more things into it.

 

Well I only want the one gauge, its just the pillar gauge pods come in 2, 3, or 4 gauge variants that I saw. I also don't trust screwing into the old plastic on my pillar to hold the gauge in place why I was looking at the full length one to use multiple screws that goes through the oem mounting holes.

Ive been looking at photos of my dash one alternative I can think of is just simply knocking a hole in my dash bezel to the right of the wiper switch. Only thing is that means doing the same behind the bezel which is where the OEM fog light switch would mount. Part of me wanted to try and find that switch and proper bezel so I could use it for my driving lights to clean up the stuff under my dash.

I just am cringing at the thought of using a hole saw on the bezel to put a 2 1/16" hole through the bezel and through the fog light switch mount on the dash behind just to get a transmission temp gauge.

 

Ah, sorry, I was thinking you already had some gauges besides the cb and such.
Just throwing out [bad?] ideas but could change to a remote mount cb and regain that space. Like the factory cb option but newer.

 

That's whats great about forums. Throw around ideas and can come up with new ideas didn't have before. I even thought of mounting the gauge under the CB even but my leg is already close to the CB as it is.

Im looking at the dash diagram for the truck and it looks like the fog lamp switch is a metal bracket that bolts to the plastic dash. If that is true then I think I could source a replacement dash bezel and can drill the hole in that and see how that will look with the gauge mounted in the dash. It would make it easier to see as well as blend it more into the dash vs hanging under the dash.

if only I had factory AC I could take and make a panel to fit in the glove pocket but my dealer ac controls are mounted there already.

 

 

I thought about that also but at least in my 80 with dealer added A/C, the factory vent locations are still used. Mine has the ***** in the glove cubby also. If Rusty's aren't though, that's a good location for add-ons. If the current dash bezel doesn't have the vents in it, one can find a bezel with them, remove the vents and then fashion some gauge mounts in the rectangular holes.

 

Here's a good thread on DIY gauge pods.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...auge-pods.html

I made my own gauge pod with the 2" ID conduit when I installed a pyrometer. The 2 1/16" gauge just fits snugly inside the 2" ID conduit. I didn't even need to use a set screw. I used a screw to put it on my A pillar.

 

Mine is dealer air so the vents are not factory but dealer installed. I also have them in use right now as the AC functions. Hate to lose the ability to have AC blowing on me when its 105* outside. I was looking at the part of the dash bezel where the fog light switch goes but I also had always wanted to track that switch down and use it in place of my KC toggle switch for my driving lights.

Yep mine are located in the glove cubby as well. I would have made a panel to mount the single transmission temp gauge there if I didn't have the gauges there. I know there was a dealer ac option for the ac controls to be mounted in place of the heater hvac panel. I could always try to track one of those down and relocate my dealer AC controls then use the glove cubby for the transmission gauge.

Im also kind of tempted to pick up a cheap single under dash gauge panel and see how it will fit if I mount it to the left but far enough right to still reach my valet switch for the alarm.

Thanks for the link I will check it out.

 

That B&M gauge pod on the dash for the trans temp gauge, how is that pod made? I keep looking at the B&M one but think I would be happier with the Autometer 2640 gauge.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-2640/overview/

But the housing looks like I might be able to attach it under the dash and shim it a bit to tilt it up. I also was wondering if its enclosed on the back cause if it is I might be able to fabricate it to fit on my pilliar by pulling one of the oem screws out and screwing the pod to the pillar. In any case if I went with that pod from the B&M gauge I would paint it with sem blue paint to match the interior.

 

The pyrometer that I bought was an AutoMeter. I'm happy with it. I also have an AutoMeter tachometer on my Oldsmobile. I've owned the tach for 20 years and it still works great. The AutoMeter gauges come with a shroud, I really wouldn't call it a pod. You'll either have to get an aftermarket pod or fabricate your own.

 

Ah ok. I am looking at this cup right now.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2204

My line of thought is a piece of rubber to help hold and insulate it from the plastic and pull the center most pillar screw and use it to attach everything together. Then I would use some braided loom to run the wires down the pillar under the dash to outside. The other option I am thinking of is getting rid of my KC toggle switch for my driving lights, its just a bypass to deactivate them, they are activated via power from the high beam dimer switch circuit. So I don't really need that switch. I might try to mount this cup here as well. Just have to get the cup first and do some trial and error and see what will look right as well as be visible to me while driving. I don't want to have to peak around my steering wheel to see it.

 

I think you have a good plan. Let us know what you do.