Another custom gauge holder

[haydenm315]

I saw this idea on here a little while ago, and decided to do it myself. The tape holder portion of the cigarette lighter section of the center console is pointless considering my car doesn't play tapes. I'm attaching a clear plastic plate with oil pressure and water temp gauges in place of the tape slots. Below is a picture of what I've got ready to install. I think it's gonna be pretty cool. I can't wait to actually know what my water temp and oil pressure are. Damn ford gauges and dummy lights!

 

[Zap]

I'm curious.. which gauges are those, and do you have an approximate cost?

Also, make sure to post some pics when you're done installing them!

 

[haydenm315]

Zap:
I'm curious.. which gauges are those, and do you have an approximate cost?

Also, make sure to post some pics when you're done installing them!

They were probably $30 together at the local auto parts store. The gauges are made by Equus. They have 2" heavy duty gauge line and backlit illumination. They are mechanical gauges. I may install them tomorrorow. It's such a pain to get in under the dash and route that stuff through the firewall. I do already have a power wire run through there. It would definately help if I were smaller. I'm about due for an oil change, so I'll do it during that, along with fixing my dead low oil sensor. I'll definately get some pics up of the install. Have you checked out my stereo install? I cut out the rear deck and installed a piece of mdf board with a sealed subwoofer box attached to the bottom.

 

[haydenm315]

damnit!! Overnight, the stress from the plate that holds each gauge in created stress marks in the plastic. I didn't think it was exerting that much pressure, but over the course of 12 hours there are now stress marks. I guess I hsould have gotten thicker plastic. Back to the drawing board! Time to start over again headbang

 

[Zap]

Wow, that sounds like a pretty cool setup for $30. I've been debating if I should spend $40-$50 per gauge (AutoMeter) or just get some good looking, but less expensive gauges. I don't know what the trade offs are, but I still would like mechanicals either way. I also want a vacuum gauge (possibly volts/amps and A/F or something of that sort.)


Too bad about the plastic, cuz it really looked nice in the picture. And you've got an interesting subwoofer design. I can't count the many times I've contemplated about stock vs aftermarket with stereo gear. My Sable has a nice system in it, but I didn't want to move all that stuff over into the SHO because it really sounds decent as-is.

 

[crizzaSHO]

does the deodorant help with the install of the gauges??? thumb

 

[haydenm315]

crizzaSHO:
does the deodorant help with the install of the gauges??? thumb

Yeah man, that shit helps. I've found the most comfortable position for me under the dash is on my back with my feet in the air. If my feet aren't in the air, my back starts to get twisted up and ache from being stretched over the door jam bottom. Getting through the grommet to the firewall was a royal pita as always. My fingers were sore as **** from pushing stuff through that thing. When it's 90+% outside, and you're sweating like a pig, nothing works like gilette deodorant.

 

[haydenm315]

Zap:

Too bad about the plastic, cuz it really looked nice in the picture.

I spent a good bit of time cutting a decent looking gauge holder to replace the tape deck spot. It took me 4 tries to get it with the correct spacing and not cracking or getting scratched up. Then the little bastard stress cracks overnight. Oh well. My IPT pillar pod arrived that day and I used that.