A-pillar gauge pod?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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A-pillar gauge pod?
I am restoring my 78 F-250 with a 93 EFI 460 and would like nothing more than to have an a-pillar gauge pod. Figured I'd watch the trans temp and mount the gauge for my rear axle air bags.
I have been doing some homework, but with no success. The 99-current superduty pods have WAY to much angle, they would point the gauges at the roof if I were to modify one to fit.
I noticed autometer makes a pod for back to 87 trucks, but not sure if the rake of the winshield and pillars would match the 78-79 models. Figure if I find the right rake/angle I can modify the ends to fit. I'm thinking this may be my best shot and hoping someone out there has tried it????????
They do also offer a short universal one that mounts to the pillar but I think the angle is again off as to point the gauges at the roof.
Lastly, they also offer just the gauge pod cups, but not sure how to mount them to the pillar. Not sure if I could make a mock-up out of foam, place the universal cups accordingly and then fiberglass over the mock-up and paint it?
Anyways, sometimes putting your ideas out there and letting everyone mull over them can quite often yield some great ideas.
I'm all ears..........!
I have been doing some homework, but with no success. The 99-current superduty pods have WAY to much angle, they would point the gauges at the roof if I were to modify one to fit.
I noticed autometer makes a pod for back to 87 trucks, but not sure if the rake of the winshield and pillars would match the 78-79 models. Figure if I find the right rake/angle I can modify the ends to fit. I'm thinking this may be my best shot and hoping someone out there has tried it????????
They do also offer a short universal one that mounts to the pillar but I think the angle is again off as to point the gauges at the roof.
Lastly, they also offer just the gauge pod cups, but not sure how to mount them to the pillar. Not sure if I could make a mock-up out of foam, place the universal cups accordingly and then fiberglass over the mock-up and paint it?
Anyways, sometimes putting your ideas out there and letting everyone mull over them can quite often yield some great ideas.
I'm all ears..........!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: USA
I've chased the same option for my 77 to no avail. What I ended up doing was finding a 3 gauge pod which mounted flat on my dash, just ahead of the dash cap. It points the gauges at me while driving. Check my gallery, I think I have a pic there.
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
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Maybe?
Soon to be facing same on my '78. I was told older style Jeep "a" pillar pods will have the right angle, just need some mods to fit "right". Can't verify by experience, but they sure look reasonable and close. Good Luck....Zeek
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
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Originally Posted by DosMas
Thanks guys, the dash pod is an alternative.
What older style jeep are you referring too, Cherokee?
What older style jeep are you referring too, Cherokee?
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 136
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From: Victoria BC Canada
I would try something from a '80-'90s truck
something like the partial pod shown here
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?...=Ford_F-Series
something like the partial pod shown here
http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?...=Ford_F-Series
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: Friendswood TX
Just a cheap idea...
Go to Home Depot and look at the white PVC pipe in the plumbing department.
Find a diameter that you could split lengthwise such that the pipe diameter would be large enough to fit to the pillar. Cut to length and split. Deburr the edges.
Use a small hole saw to make wiring holes spaced evenly.
Now, take a smaller PVC pipe that has a diameter close to the outside diameter of the gage. Use a drum sander to get the radius of the gage tube so it "nests" against the pillar PVC (like a bicycle frame is joined). You will have to work with your "angles" so the gage faces you when the pillar C-section is installed.
Use PVC cement and glue the gage tubes to the pillar C-section.
Rough up the exterior of the assembly and try some body filler to fillet the gage tubes to the pillar C-section.
Paint and "gage up", then screw to the pillar.
I just made all of this up, but it sounds like a plan.
Go to Home Depot and look at the white PVC pipe in the plumbing department.
Find a diameter that you could split lengthwise such that the pipe diameter would be large enough to fit to the pillar. Cut to length and split. Deburr the edges.
Use a small hole saw to make wiring holes spaced evenly.
Now, take a smaller PVC pipe that has a diameter close to the outside diameter of the gage. Use a drum sander to get the radius of the gage tube so it "nests" against the pillar PVC (like a bicycle frame is joined). You will have to work with your "angles" so the gage faces you when the pillar C-section is installed.
Use PVC cement and glue the gage tubes to the pillar C-section.
Rough up the exterior of the assembly and try some body filler to fillet the gage tubes to the pillar C-section.
Paint and "gage up", then screw to the pillar.
I just made all of this up, but it sounds like a plan.
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