So I wanted to mount 4 gauges in the same location that autometer makes their underdash pod. But nobody makes a 4 gauge pod. So I made my own out of some materials that I already had on hand.

I started with 4 pices of 2" PVC about 1 1/2" long to mount the gauges in, epoxied them together and made sure it was going to fit in the alloted space. I then used plaster of paris inside of a 1 gallon ziplock bag to make a "negative" mold of that area of the dash, then another bag of plaster of paris off from the "negative" to make the "positive" mold that I built the pod on. Then I made several bean bags out of sandwich baggies partially filled with sandblasting media and used them the create the space behind the PVC needed for wiring. I dug up the fiberglass kit that I have had on hand from a body project I did several years ago, and used it to built my initial shell over the 4 PVC gauge mounts and the bean bags on top of the "positive" plaster mold. A little trimming, sanding, and fitting, some leftover bondo to smooth everything up ang give the appearance I want, some more sanding, drilled holes to mount it and a coat of the paint I have left over from my A pillar, a little "reaming" on the inside of the PVC so that the gauges fit, and it is ready to install. I think I spent just about the same amount of time building the pod as it took to install the gauges (probably a total of 3-4 hours).

Didn't turn out half bad if I do say so myself, $6 for plaster of paris was my total out of pocket for the pod. I should have taken pictures along the way, but pictures of the completed unit and it installed are in my gallery.

 

Man, that looks awesome! I was going to give you some reputation but i have to spread it around. Dude those gauges look so good in that pod!

 

wow !!!!great work....looks good...

 

That does look good clux. rep given

 

Nice fab job clux. It wouldv'e taken me at least 2 days to get through that, but then I probably would not have thought of it in the first place!

 

Great job, clux!! I have a very high esteem for those who "can do". Excellent looking craftsmanship.

Now that you have the molds, have you decided how much you're going to charge for making these pods for other folks?

 

Let's see, 4 hours at say $30 an hour, plus materials.................
I don't think anyone can afford it.
Actually the challange made it fun building it for myself, but not something I want to do every day.

 

Clux that's way cool! Too bad you didn't take pics during the process, that would have been cool! Good job none the less, it looks great, even if they are 4 different series gauges

 

Hmm, this inspires me to make a 7 place custom dash-top pillar

 

Actually, three gauges are the same series (SW maximum performance), one of the 2 fuel pressure gauges just has a different color face, which is ok by me because it helps me keep straight on which is which. the fourth is a VDO that I have had sitting for years.

 

Nice work!

 

That looks good! Where are you taking your two fuel pressure readings from?

 

One from the regulated return aeromotive regulator (post filter), one from the old fuel pressure regulator port on the filter housing (pre filter). I'm hoping they'll tell me when it's time to change the fuel filter.

 

You did a fantastic job. My hat is off to you, sir.

Great job!

 

Way to Git 'R done! Looks great!